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Lesson 6 - Tournament Play & Officiating

Tactical Mastery & Team Dynamics

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Year 6

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Football

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Big Question

How can we demonstrate the School Games Values whilst competing fairly and officiating ourselves?

Learning Objectives

To cooperate, communicate and collaborate with others to achieve shared goals in competitive situations
To officiate games fairly and accept decisions made by others
To demonstrate the School Games Values of passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork

Key Outcomes

Students will show understanding and interpretation of rules whilst accepting decisions given
Students will compete with emotional control whilst maintaining School Games Values
Students will officiate matches fairly when given the opportunity

Equipment & Resources Required

Softballs

6-8

One ball per game, extras for warm-up progressions

Alternative: Size 4 footballs suitable for Year 6

Coloured Bibs

30 (3 different colours)

10 of each colour for warm-up teams

Alternative: Team bands or coloured cones for identification

Cones

20+

For area boundaries and end zones

Alternative: Markers or boundary markers

Goals

6-8

Small goals for multiple pitches

Alternative: Cone gates, benches turned over, or chalk lines

Score Sheets

4 (different colours)

For self-assessment activity at end

Alternative: Coloured spots or markers

Stopwatch

For timing warm-up and game durations

Alternative: Phone timer or whistle for time signals

Key Vocabulary

Tournament

A competition involving multiple teams playing each other in organised rounds

Self-officiating

Players making their own decisions about rule applications during games

School Games Values

Passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork

Round-robin

Tournament format where every team plays every other team once

Emotional control

Managing feelings and reactions during competitive situations

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic football skills and techniques
Understanding of fundamental game rules
Experience in small-sided games

Current Skills

Tournament play with multiple teams
Self-officiating and decision acceptance
Demonstrating School Games Values under competitive pressure

Next Steps

Advanced tactical understanding
Leadership in sports situations
Mentoring younger students in games

Milestone Indicators

Consistent fair play throughout tournament

Accurate officiating of key game situations

Positive leadership of School Games Values

Key Teaching Points

Self-officiating requires honesty and integrity - model this consistently throughout
School Games Values are more important than winning - celebrate character over results
Tournament format ensures everyone gets equal opportunities to play and succeed
Emotional control during competition is a vital life skill being developed
Peer recognition builds positive sporting culture and community values
Links to community football help sustain engagement beyond school
Assessment focuses on process and character development, not just football ability

Common Misconceptions

That winning is more important than demonstrating School Games Values - emphasise process over outcome
That self-officiating means being lenient with own team - stress importance of fairness and honesty
That competition should reduce cooperation - show how working together enhances competitive performance
That only the most skilled players can succeed in tournaments - celebrate effort, improvement and character
That rules are optional in competitive situations - reinforce that rules ensure safety and fairness for all

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Build in regular movement breaks between rounds, provide clear, repeated instructions for tournament format, use peer buddies for support

dyspraxia

Allow extra time for equipment organisation, provide simplified tournament tracking sheets, focus on effort and improvement over absolute performance

autism spectrum

Provide clear written schedule of tournament rounds, create quiet zones for breaks if needed, use visual supports for School Games Values

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal commentary during demonstrations, pair with sighted buddy for tournament navigation

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for game management, ensure clear sight lines for lip reading, provide written fixture lists and rule reminders

physical disability

Adapt rules for wheelchair users or reduced mobility, modify pitch sizes as needed, focus on tactical understanding and officiating roles

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills during self-officiating, vocabulary development around sporting terms, persuasive language when encouraging teammates

Maths

Tournament fixture calculations, timing games accurately, scoring and results recording, statistical analysis of team performance

Citizenship

Fair play and democratic decision-making, respect for rules and decisions, taking responsibility for personal actions and choices

PSHE

Emotional regulation during competition, leadership skills development, conflict resolution through self-officiating, community engagement through local football opportunities

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position between three pitches for maximum visibility, circulate to provide specific feedback on School Games Values

Observation Focus

Self-officiating accuracy, demonstration of School Games Values under pressure, football skill application in competitive context

Intervention Points

Step in if self-officiating breaks down, support emotional regulation during competitive pressure, ensure fair fixture management

Demonstration Notes

Model positive responses to decisions, show specific examples of School Games Values in action, demonstrate how to give constructive feedback to peers

Verbal Cues

•'Excellent self-officiating - that's real honesty!'
•'I can see brilliant teamwork in your communication'
•'Show me those School Games Values even when it's tough!'
•'Remember, how you play matters more than the result'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large hall or outdoor area with space for three small football pitches (minimum 40m x 30m total)

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, appropriate for running and ball skills

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Footballs checked for correct inflation and condition
•Goals or targets stable and appropriately sized
•Cones positioned safely to mark boundaries clearly
•Bibs clean and appropriate sizes available

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during competitive play
•Overexertion during tournament format
•Emotional responses to competitive pressure
•Ball strikes to head or body

Risk Mitigation

•Clear pitch boundaries established with adequate space between playing areas
•Self-officiating emphasises safety as well as fairness
•Regular breaks between tournament rounds
•Teacher circulation to monitor both safety and sporting behaviour
•Emphasis on controlled contact and safe challenging

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to observe all three pitches simultaneously
•Monitor for signs of fatigue affecting safety
•Watch for escalating emotions during competitive play
•Ensure self-officiating maintains safety standards

Emergency Procedures

Stop play immediately if injury occurs, assess with appropriate first aid, clear communication with other games to maintain safety focus