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Lesson 6 - Tactical Awareness & Attack

Tactical Mastery & Team Strategy

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Year 6

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Invasion Games

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Big Question

How can attackers use movement and communication to outthink defenders?

Learning Objectives

Develop tactical awareness through diagonal runs and position rotation
Apply communication skills to coordinate attacking play
Demonstrate mobility and fluidity in attacking positions

Key Outcomes

Students will make effective diagonal runs to create space
Students will communicate effectively with teammates during attacking phases
Students will show tactical awareness by rotating positions and exploiting space

Equipment & Resources Required

Cones

30 (various colours)

Use different colours for different activities and assessment

Alternative: Markers, bibs

Medium-Sized Balls

18 (mix of footballs and netballs)

Half for football activities, half for netball-style catching

Alternative: Tennis balls, playground balls

Unihoc Sticks and Pucks

15 sets

For optional third game choice

Alternative: Hockey sticks and balls

Handballs

For handball option in game session

Alternative: Size 1 footballs, rugby balls

Bibs

15 sets (3 colours)

To distinguish teams during games

Alternative: Coloured bands

Digital Cameras

For recording assessment evidence

Alternative: Mobile phone camera

Key Vocabulary

Diagonal Run

Running at an angle to create space and confuse defenders

Position Rotation

Players changing positions during play to maintain attacking threats

Tactical Awareness

Understanding when and how to make decisions that benefit the team

Mobility in Attack

Constant movement to create opportunities and maintain pressure

Overloading

Creating numerical advantage in specific areas of play

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic passing and receiving skills
Understanding of attacking and defending roles
Experience in small-sided games

Current Skills

Diagonal running techniques
Position rotation in attack
Tactical communication

Next Steps

Advanced tactical formations
Counter-attacking strategies
Leadership in game situations

Milestone Indicators

Consistent creation of space through movement

Effective communication during play

Successful completion of attacking moves

Key Teaching Points

Diagonal runs create more space and options than straight runs
Tactical awareness is about thinking ahead and making smart decisions
Communication with teammates is essential for effective attacking play
Position rotation keeps defenders guessing and maintains attacking threats
Unselfish play creates more opportunities than individual brilliance
Defensive understanding improves attacking decision-making
Movement without the ball is as important as ball skills

Common Misconceptions

Running fast is more important than running smart - emphasise timing and direction over speed
Individual skill is more valuable than team tactics - highlight collective success stories
Defenders just chase attackers - explain tactical defending principles
Good players don't need to communicate - demonstrate how even skilled players benefit from talking
Tactical awareness is too complex for Year 6 - show how they naturally make tactical decisions

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Regular position changes, clear visual boundaries, immediate feedback, short activity bursts with variety

dyspraxia

Larger targets and equipment, simplified movement patterns initially, extra practice time, clear step-by-step instructions

autism spectrum

Clear structure with visual timetable, defined boundaries for activities, sensory break options, predictable rotation patterns

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of movements, tactile boundaries for activity areas, buddy system for navigation

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations of all movements, hand signals for tactical instructions, written instruction cards, clear visual boundaries

physical disability

Seated versions of movement patterns, modified equipment (larger/softer balls), adapted passing distances, wheelchair-accessible pathways

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Tactical vocabulary development, communication during games, describing and explaining tactical decisions

Maths

Angles and direction in diagonal runs, spatial reasoning in tactical positioning, data collection through self-assessment

Science

Forces and angles in movement, physics of ball flight paths, reaction time in defensive responses

Geography

Spatial awareness and mapping movement patterns, understanding coordinates and positioning

PSHE

Communication skills, teamwork and cooperation, self-assessment and honest reflection

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position during demonstrations, rotate between activity areas during practice, position for maximum game visibility during application

Observation Focus

Tactical decision-making, communication between players, application of diagonal running principles, unselfish team play

Intervention Points

Stop for teaching moments when excellent tactical play occurs, intervene if activities become too competitive at expense of learning

Demonstration Notes

Use students as positive examples whenever possible, emphasise decision-making over athletic ability, connect all examples back to tactical awareness theme

Verbal Cues

•'Think diagonal, not straight!'
•'Talk to your teammates!'
•'Where's the space?'
•'Make the defender choose!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 40m for multiple activity areas with clear separation between invasion games

Surface Check

Dry, level surface free from obstacles, adequate space for crossing movement patterns

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check balls are correctly inflated and suitable for age group
•Ensure cones are visible and stable
•Verify unihoc sticks are appropriate length and condition

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during crossing runs in warm-up
•Contact during defensive activities
•Ball strikes in multi-game environment

Risk Mitigation

•Practice warm-up at slow pace before increasing speed
•Emphasise no physical contact rule in defensive practice
•Clear boundaries between different game activities
•Progressive skill building from practice to game application

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for visibility of crossing patterns during warm-up
•Monitor defensive activities for appropriate contact levels
•Circulate between game areas during application phase

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support as required