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Lesson 6 - Close Control Skills

Team Strategy & Coordination

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Year 6

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Football

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Big Question

How can mastering close control under pressure help us maintain possession and create scoring opportunities in competitive situations?

Learning Objectives

To work cooperatively to implement attacking and defending strategies in tournament format
To use close control techniques with feet and thighs to maintain possession under pressure
To demonstrate and apply previously learnt football skills in competitive game situations

Key Outcomes

Students will execute close control techniques consistently during competitive play
Students will work effectively as a team to implement tactical strategies
Students will demonstrate improvement from previous lessons through performance analysis

Equipment & Resources Required

Softballs

1 per pair (15)

Distribute around practice area perimeter for easy access

Alternative: Size 3 balls for smaller students, soft-touch balls for SEND students

Coloured Bibs

4-5 sets of different colours

Organised by colour in containers for quick team identification

Alternative: Coloured bands or sashes if bibs unavailable

Cones

40-50

Used for pitch boundaries, goals, and no-go zones

Alternative: Dome markers or flat discs

Small Goal

6-9 portable goals

3 goals per pitch - 1 central, 2 outer goals for scoring system

Alternative: Cone gates (2m wide) if goals unavailable

Stopwatch

2-3

For timing tournament matches and skill practices

Alternative: Phone timer or sports watch

Score Sheets

1 per team

For tracking tournament results and goal differences

Alternative: Whiteboard for class recording

Key Vocabulary

Close Control

The ability to bring the ball under immediate control when receiving it, especially when under pressure from opponents

Absorb the Pace

Using your foot or thigh like a cushion to reduce the speed of the ball when receiving it

Sympathetic Feeding

Passing the ball to a teammate in a way that makes it easy for them to control and practice their skills

Round-Robin Tournament

A competition format where every team plays against every other team once

No-Go Zone

An area on the pitch where certain rules apply, such as no tackling allowed

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic ball control techniques from previous lessons
Understanding of attacking and defending concepts
Experience of small-sided games and positioning

Current Skills

Close control with feet - inside foot control and pace absorption
Close control with thighs - 45-degree positioning and gentle ball release
Tournament play tactics and team organisation

Next Steps

Advanced ball control under increased pressure
More complex tactical awareness in different formations
Leadership skills in organising and coaching teammates

Milestone Indicators

Consistent first touch control in pressured situations

Effective team communication during matches

Visible improvement in individual techniques from unit start

Key Teaching Points

Close control requires watching the ball all the way to foot or thigh contact
Cushioning action is essential - foot or thigh must give way slightly on ball contact
Sympathetic feeding in practice helps partners improve rather than making skills harder
Tournament success comes from teamwork and using all players, not individual brilliance
Different goal values create tactical opportunities - don't only focus on central goal
Sportsmanship and fair play are as important as winning in competitive situations
Leadership skills through captaincy benefit the whole team, not just the captain

Common Misconceptions

That harder, more challenging feeds help partners improve faster (actually supportive feeds work better)
That only the central goal matters because it's worth more points (outer goals are often easier to score)
That the best players should always have the ball (football is a team game requiring all players)
That close control means stopping the ball completely (it means bringing it under immediate control)
That competitive games don't need rules about safety (rules prevent injuries and ensure fair play)
That winning is the only measure of success (improvement and effort are equally important)

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter match times, regular position rotation, clear boundaries and rules, frequent positive feedback

dyspraxia

Use larger, softer balls for easier control, reduce pitch size, allow extra time for skill execution

autism spectrum

Provide clear routine for tournament format, visual schedule of matches, quiet zone available if overstimulated

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of pitch layout, buddy system for navigation

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for game starts/stops, written rule cards, ensure facing student when giving instructions

physical disability

Adapt to wheelchair football rules, modify pitch size if needed, allow hand use for students with lower limb difficulties

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Tournament scoring calculations, goal difference mathematics, time management for match duration

Science

Forces and motion in ball control, impact and absorption principles, body mechanics in sport

Geography

Spatial awareness on pitch, positional understanding, mapping team movements and formations

PSHE

Leadership development through captaincy, teamwork and cooperation, resilience in competition, sportsmanship values

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Circulate between tournament pitches to observe all teams, position centrally during rule explanations

Observation Focus

Watch for close control technique application, team cooperation, fair play, and rule adherence

Intervention Points

Step in immediately for unsafe play, provide coaching hints during natural breaks, mediate any disputes calmly

Demonstration Notes

Use student examples during games to highlight good technique, demonstrate rule clarifications when needed

Verbal Cues

•'Watch the ball onto your foot!'
•'Use that close control we practiced!'
•'Look for your teammates!'
•'Remember the central goal is worth 5 points!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 40m for multiple tournament pitches, clear boundaries marked

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from holes, debris, or hazards that could cause trips or falls

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all footballs are properly inflated and in good condition
•Ensure goals are stable and securely positioned
•Verify cones have no sharp edges or damage

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Player collisions during tournament matches
•Slips and falls on playing surface
•Ball strikes to head or body
•Overexertion during competitive play
•Aggressive play escalating beyond rules

Risk Mitigation

•Clear rules about no contact and no slide tackling established
•Adequate spacing between multiple tournament pitches
•Regular monitoring of play intensity and player fatigue
•Immediate intervention if rules are broken or play becomes unsafe
•Central zone no-tackling rule reduces collision risk

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for visibility across all active tournament pitches
•Circulate between games to monitor rule adherence
•Watch for signs of fatigue affecting safety
•Monitor competitive intensity to prevent unsafe play

Emergency Procedures

Stop all games immediately if injury occurs, assess and provide appropriate first aid, clear space for treatment if needed