Lesson 3 - Penalty Kicks and Set Piece Tactics
Team Strategy & Coordination
•Year 6
•Football
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can precision and strategy in penalty situations help teams win crucial matches?
Learning Objectives
- Apply speed and accuracy to perform penalty kicks with power and precision
- Work as a team to attack rebounds from penalty situations effectively
- Analyse and explain why certain areas of the goal are more advantageous to target than others
Key Outcomes
- Students will consistently strike penalty kicks with accuracy to corners of the goal
- Students will demonstrate coordinated team movement for rebound opportunities
- Students will articulate tactical reasoning behind penalty placement and team positioning
Equipment & Resources Required
Check inflation and condition before lesson
Alternative: Size 4 balls acceptable for younger/smaller students
Different colours for different purposes and scoring zones
Alternative: Markers, discs, or bottles if cones unavailable
Ensure goals are stable and appropriate height
Alternative: Cone goals (2m wide) if permanent goals unavailable
For distinguishing teams during game situations
Alternative: Bands or different coloured shirts
Key Vocabulary
A deliberate foul committed to prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity
The marked position 12 yards from goal where penalty kicks are taken
When the ball bounces back into play after hitting the goalkeeper or goalpost
Deliberately directing the ball to a specific area of the goal
The approach steps taken before striking the ball in a penalty kick
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball striking technique with inside of foot
- Understanding of power and accuracy in shooting
- Knowledge of basic football rules and fouls
Current Skills
- Penalty kick technique with run-up and placement
- Team coordination for rebound situations
- Tactical analysis of goal areas and positioning
Next Steps
- Advanced set piece variations (free kicks, corners)
- Goalkeeper penalty saving techniques
- Tournament-style penalty shootouts under pressure
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Penalty technique requires consistency over power - accurate placement beats raw strength
- Corner targeting makes saves significantly more difficult for goalkeepers
- Team coordination for rebounds is crucial - penalties often lead to second chances
- Mental preparation and decision-making are as important as physical technique
- Professional fouls occur when defenders deliberately stop goal-scoring opportunities
- Practice under mild pressure helps prepare for real match situations
- Inside of foot provides maximum accuracy and control for penalty kicks
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking power is more important than accuracy in penalties - emphasise placement over strength
- Believing the centre of goal is a good target - explain why corners are tactically superior
- Assuming longer run-ups create more power - demonstrate optimal 4-5 step approach
- Expecting to score every penalty - explain that even professionals miss occasionally
- Forgetting about rebounds - stress importance of team follow-up play
- Rushing technique under pressure - practise maintaining consistent approach
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Use larger balls initially, simplify run-up to 2-3 steps, provide extra practice time and encouragement
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine structure, offer quiet area for breaks, use visual schedule of lesson activities
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of target locations, arrange buddy support for positioning
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, hand signals for game instructions, written rule reminders on display boards
physical disability
- Adapt penalty distance based on ability, allow seated or supported positioning, modify equipment size as needed
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Technical vocabulary development, giving clear instructions, explaining tactical concepts
Maths
Measuring penalty distance (12 yards), calculating accuracy percentages, geometry of goal angles and target areas
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, angle of projection affecting trajectory, friction between boot and ball
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding directions and coordinates on the pitch
PSHE
Pressure management and resilience, teamwork and communication, fair play and respect for rules
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between penalty stations for maximum visibility, move closer for individual technique feedback
Observation Focus
Watch for consistent run-up technique, plant foot positioning, and follow-through direction
Intervention Points
Step in when technique breaks down, when safety rules are ignored, or when students become frustrated
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate penalty technique in slow motion first, emphasising each component separately before showing full speed
Verbal Cues
- •'Four steps back, straight line run-up!'
- •'Plant foot beside the ball!'
- •'Corners are the goalkeeper's nightmare!'
- •'Follow through to your target!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 40m area with clear boundaries, penalty spots marked 12 yards from goals
Surface Check
Dry, even grass or artificial surface free from holes or debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check footballs are correctly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure goals are stable and appropriate height for age group
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or body during penalty practice
- •Collisions during rebound situations
- •Slips and falls on potentially wet grass
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear safety zones established 10 yards from penalty areas
- •Adequate spacing between practice stations
- •Controlled entry to rebound areas only after penalty is struck
- •Regular equipment checks throughout lesson
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all penalty stations simultaneously
- •Monitor physical contact levels during game situations
- •Watch for fatigue in goalkeepers and rotate regularly
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required