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Lesson 8 - Tournament Rules & Play

Advanced Tag Rugby Tactics and Team Play

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Year 6

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Tag Rugby

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Big Question

How can we demonstrate fair play and tactical thinking when competing in a tournament format?

Learning Objectives

To apply rules and tactics learned throughout the unit in competitive tournament play
To demonstrate leadership skills through refereeing and score-keeping responsibilities
To show good sportsmanship and respect for opponents during competitive play

Key Outcomes

Students will consistently apply tag rugby rules during tournament matches
Students will demonstrate tactical understanding in both attacking and defending situations
Students will show leadership and responsibility through officiating duties

Equipment & Resources Required

Tag Rugby Equipment

1 per student (30)

Check all belts have two tags securely attached before lesson

Alternative: Bean bags tucked into waistbands, coloured ribbons attached to belts

Rugby Balls

6 (1 per pitch)

Ensure all balls are properly inflated and suitable for outdoor use

Alternative: Size 3 footballs for younger students, foam rugby balls for indoor use

Dish Cones

30 (12 per pitch for boundaries and try lines)

Set up pitches before lesson with clear try lines and boundaries

Alternative: Spot markers, cones of different colours for different pitch markings

Team bibs

30 (different colours for team identification)

Organise into team sets before lesson starts

Alternative: Coloured t-shirts, house team colours, numbered bibs

Score Sheets

1 per group setup (4 or 6 team versions)

Prepare tournament fixture list and results table in advance

Alternative: Clipboard with results table, whiteboard for score tracking

Whistles

1 per pitch (3 total)

Brief student referees on basic whistle signals

Alternative: Hand signals only for quiet tournaments

Key Vocabulary

Tournament

A series of games between multiple teams to determine overall winners

Officiating

Acting as referee to ensure fair play and rule adherence

Tactics

Planned strategies used to gain advantage in attacking or defending

Sportsmanship

Fair and respectful behaviour during competitive play

Tournament Points

Scoring system where teams earn points based on match results

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Students understand basic tag rugby rules and scoring system
Students can perform accurate passes backwards and sideways
Students can demonstrate effective tagging technique

Current Skills

Apply rules consistently in competitive situations
Demonstrate tactical awareness in game scenarios
Show leadership through officiating responsibilities

Next Steps

Transfer skills to other invasion games
Develop coaching and leadership skills
Apply tactical knowledge to modified rugby games

Milestone Indicators

Consistently applies 3-second rule after being tagged

Creates space through effective positioning and movement

Demonstrates fair play and good sportsmanship throughout

Key Teaching Points

Tournament success depends on consistent rule application and fair play throughout all games
Tactical awareness develops through applying skills under competitive pressure
Leadership skills are demonstrated through effective refereeing and supporting teammates
Sportsmanship and respect for opponents enhance everyone's tournament experience
Creating and using space effectively is crucial for attacking success in tag rugby
Good decision-making includes knowing when to pass, run, or support teammates
Tournament format allows students to experience competitive sport in a structured, educational environment

Common Misconceptions

Students may think winning is the only measure of success - emphasise effort, improvement, and sportsmanship
Some may believe referees should be perfect - explain that learning to officiate is part of development
Teams might focus only on attack - stress the importance of defensive tactics and positioning
Students may think tournaments are only about the strongest players - highlight how everyone contributes to team success
Some may assume rules don't matter in competitive play - reinforce that rules ensure fairness and safety

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Clear boundaries and expectations, regular positive reinforcement, opportunity for leadership roles to maintain engagement

dyspraxia

Allow additional thinking time for tactical decisions, pair with supportive teammates, celebrate effort over results

autism spectrum

Provide clear tournament structure and schedule, designated quiet zones available, prepare student for competitive environment

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of tournament progress, ensure clear verbal refereeing

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for referee decisions, written tournament schedules and rules, ensure student can see all demonstrations

physical disability

Modified roles such as score-keeping or tactical coaching, adapted equipment if needed, ensure meaningful participation

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills during refereeing, explaining rules and tactics, vocabulary development

Maths

Tournament points calculation, adding scores, understanding league tables and positions

Citizenship

Understanding rules and their importance in society, taking responsibility for others' enjoyment and safety

PSHE

Leadership responsibilities, fair play values, respect for authority and opponents, handling competition pressure

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Circulate between pitches to monitor all games, position centrally to oversee tournament flow

Observation Focus

Watch for consistent rule application, tactical development, and positive sporting behaviour throughout

Intervention Points

Step in only for safety issues or serious rule disputes, allow student referees to manage games independently

Demonstration Notes

Support student referees with positive reinforcement, model good sportsmanship in all interactions, celebrate tactical awareness and skill development

Verbal Cues

•'Excellent tactical thinking!'
•'Great sportsmanship - well done!'
•'Remember your passing options!'
•'Referee's decision stands - play on!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Multiple playing areas minimum 30m x 20m each, clear boundaries between pitches

Surface Check

Dry, level surface free from hazards, adequate grip for running and changing direction

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all tag belts for secure attachment and easy removal
•Ensure rugby balls properly inflated and in good condition
•Confirm cones are visible and positioned safely

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during competitive play
•Overexertion during extended tournament format
•Disputes or unsporting behaviour affecting safety

Risk Mitigation

•Clear pitch boundaries to prevent collisions between games
•Regular hydration breaks and monitoring of student energy levels
•Strong emphasis on sportsmanship and respect for officials
•Teacher circulation between pitches for supervision

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to oversee multiple pitches simultaneously
•Regular circulation to monitor all games and referee quality
•Immediate intervention available for safety or behavioural issues

Emergency Procedures

Stop all games immediately if serious injury occurs, assess and provide appropriate first aid, ensure clear access for emergency services if required