Lesson 6 - Close Control Skills
Team Strategy & Coordination
•Year 6
•Football
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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
Distribute around practice area perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Size 3 balls for smaller students, soft-touch balls for SEND students
Organised by colour in containers for quick team identification
Alternative: Coloured bands or sashes if bibs unavailable
Used for pitch boundaries, goals, and no-go zones
Alternative: Dome markers or flat discs
3 goals per pitch - 1 central, 2 outer goals for scoring system
Alternative: Cone gates (2m wide) if goals unavailable
For timing tournament matches and skill practices
Alternative: Phone timer or sports watch
For tracking tournament results and goal differences
Alternative: Whiteboard for class recording
Key Vocabulary
The ability to bring the ball under immediate control when receiving it, especially when under pressure from opponents
Using your foot or thigh like a cushion to reduce the speed of the ball when receiving it
Passing the ball to a teammate in a way that makes it easy for them to control and practice their skills
A competition format where every team plays against every other team once
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
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