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Lesson 5 - Movement to Lose Defenders

Advanced Tag Rugby Tactics and Team Play

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Year 6

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Tag Rugby

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1h 14min

Big Question

How can you use clever movement and space creation to outmanoeuvre defenders and help your team succeed?

Learning Objectives

To select and apply different movement skills to lose a defender effectively
To create and use space intelligently to help teammates
To demonstrate tactical awareness in invasion game situations

Key Outcomes

Students will consistently execute directional changes and speed variations to beat defenders
Students will create and exploit space through intelligent positioning
Students will make tactical decisions about when to dodge versus when to pass

Equipment & Resources Required

Cones

Used for marking boundaries, gates, and channels throughout lesson

Alternative: Marker spots, bean bags, or other visible markers

Rugby Balls

8 (1 per 4 students)

Distributed to groups during skill development activities

Alternative: Foam footballs or other oval balls

Tag Rugby Equipment

30 (1 per student)

Each student wears throughout the lesson with tags attached

Alternative: Fabric strips or bandanas tucked into waistbands

Team bibs

15 (for team identification)

Used during 5v5 games to identify teams clearly

Alternative: Coloured cones held, house colours, or removing tops

Key Vocabulary

Defender

The player trying to stop the attacker by making a tag

Change of Direction

Suddenly moving in a different direction to confuse the defender

Change of Pace

Varying your running speed to unbalance the defender

Space Creation

Moving to make gaps appear for yourself or teammates

Dummy

A fake movement to trick the defender

Gate

The space between two cones that players attempt to run through

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic running and dodging skills
Understanding of tag rugby rules
Simple passing and catching techniques
Concept of attacking and defending

Current Skills

Advanced directional changes with speed variation
Space creation and exploitation
Tactical decision-making in 1v1 situations
Team positioning for space creation

Next Steps

Complex attacking patterns with multiple players
Advanced defensive strategies
Game management and leadership skills
Refereeing and coaching others

Milestone Indicators

Consistently beats defenders in 1v1 situations

Creates scoring opportunities through intelligent movement

Demonstrates tactical awareness in game situations

Shows leadership in organising team attacks

Key Teaching Points

Change of direction and pace are more effective than pure speed
Low body position enables quicker and more explosive direction changes
Commitment to chosen movement is essential for success
Space creation benefits the whole team, not just the individual
Tactical decision-making about when to dodge versus when to pass
Quality technique practice leads to game application success
Communication and teamwork amplify individual skills

Common Misconceptions

Faster running always beats defenders - actually technique and unpredictability are more important
You must always try to beat defenders individually - sometimes passing is the better tactical choice
Direction changes should be subtle - actually they need to be convincing and committed to fool defenders
Space creation only helps the player with the ball - it actually creates opportunities for all teammates

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity bursts, regular movement breaks, clear boundaries and rules, immediate feedback and praise

dyspraxia

Simplified movement patterns initially, extra practice time, larger equipment for easier handling, step-by-step instructions

autism spectrum

Clear routines and expectations, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, predictable structure

visual impairment

Use bright coloured equipment, verbal cues for spatial awareness, buddy system for guidance, tactile boundary markers

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations emphasised, hand signals for key instructions, written instruction cards, peer support

physical disability

Wheelchair-accessible movement patterns, modified tagging rules, adapted equipment as needed, alternative roles

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Measuring playing areas, angles of movement, timing and counting sequences, spatial geometry

Science

Forces and motion, acceleration and deceleration, physics of direction changes, reaction times

Geography

Directional awareness, spatial relationships, mapping movement patterns, positional vocabulary

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when techniques don't work, leadership in team situations, fair play and respect

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between groups during skills practice, central position during games for optimal visibility

Observation Focus

Watch for technique application, tactical decision-making, and cooperative play development

Intervention Points

Step in when rules not followed, safety concerns arise, or students need technique guidance

Demonstration Notes

Use student demonstrators for peer learning, exaggerate movements for visibility, connect to game application

Verbal Cues

•'Sell the dummy!'
•'Low and explosive!'
•'Pick your target!'
•'Spread like ripples!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m clear space for warm-up, multiple 6m x 6m areas for skills, 10m x 15m for games

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, suitable for direction changes and potential sliding

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Tag belts properly fitted - not too tight or loose
•Tags securely attached and easily removable
•Cones stable and visible, no sharp edges
•Rugby balls appropriate size and condition

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during warm-up tag collection
•Falls during rapid direction changes
•Contact during tagging attempts
•Overexertion during intense game periods

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established for all activities
•Emphasis on clean tagging technique only
•Progressive skill building from simple to complex
•Regular hydration and rest periods
•Proper warm-up to prepare for direction changes

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all groups
•Monitor high-activity areas for safe play
•Watch for fatigue affecting decision-making
•Ensure fair play and sportspersonship maintained

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, contact emergency services if required