Lesson 6 - Tag Rugby Tournament
Mastering Attack & Defence
•Year 6
•Tag Rugby
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How can we apply our tag rugby skills and tactics to win competitive matches whilst demonstrating excellent sportsmanship?
Learning Objectives
- To apply knowledge and understanding of tag rugby in a competitive tournament format
- To demonstrate tactical awareness in both attacking and defensive situations
- To develop leadership skills through officiating and team management
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully apply attacking and defensive tactics in match situations
- Students will demonstrate leadership skills by organising and officiating games
- Students will evaluate team performance and suggest tactical improvements
Equipment & Resources Required
Two different colours available for each team
Alternative: Bibs tucked into waistbands, velcro strips
Check inflation and condition before lesson
Alternative: Size 3 or 4 rugby balls, foam rugby balls
For marking pitch boundaries and try lines
Alternative: Markers, spots, corner flags
For timing matches and breaks
Alternative: Phone timers, wall clock
Pre-prepared with team names and fixture list
Alternative: Whiteboard, digital scoring app
For student referees to control matches
Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals
Key Vocabulary
A competition involving multiple teams playing matches against each other
Planned strategies used by teams to gain advantage in attack or defence
The arrangement of players on the field for attacking or defensive play
Acting as a referee to ensure fair play and implement game rules
Extra points awarded for achieving specific performance criteria
Assessing team performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic tag rugby rules and safety procedures
- Fundamental passing and catching techniques
- Understanding of attacking and defensive principles
- Experience of small-sided tag rugby games
Current Skills
- Apply tactics in competitive match situations
- Demonstrate leadership through officiating
- Evaluate and improve team performance
- Show sportsmanship in competitive settings
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical variations and set plays
- Coaching and mentoring younger students
- Tournament organisation and management
- Cross-curricular links with sports science
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Tournament structure provides authentic competitive context for skill application
- Officiating roles develop leadership, decision-making and understanding of fair play
- Bonus point system encourages positive play rather than negative tactics
- Sportsmanship and respect are as important as tactical success
- Reflection and evaluation help consolidate learning from competitive experiences
- Mixed-team interactions during cool-down promote broader social learning
- Assessment opportunities occur naturally throughout competitive match situations
Common Misconceptions
- That winning is the only measure of success - address by celebrating effort, improvement and sportsmanship equally
- That referees should favour their friends - emphasise fairness and integrity in officiating roles
- That tactics don't matter in small games - demonstrate how formations and strategies are crucial even in 7v7 format
- That competition always leads to negative behaviour - show how proper structure and values create positive competitive experiences
- That less skilled players can't contribute to team success - highlight various ways all students can add value through encouragement, positioning and effort
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break tournament into shorter, focused segments, provide specific roles and responsibilities, use clear and immediate feedback for positive behaviours
dyspraxia
- Use larger, softer balls if coordination is challenging, provide additional support for tag belt management, allow extra thinking time for tactical decisions
autism spectrum
- Provide clear tournament structure with visual schedules, offer quiet space for breaks if overwhelmed, use consistent referee signals and procedures
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured tag belts and balls, provide clear verbal descriptions of match situations, assign sighted partners for support during activities
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals alongside whistles, ensure face-to-face communication with referees, provide written tournament rules and fixture lists
physical disability
- Adapt rules for wheelchair users or those with mobility aids, modify pitch sizes if needed, create appropriate competitive roles for all abilities
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills in leadership and officiating, vocabulary development through tactical discussions, report writing on tournament performance
Maths
Tournament scoring calculations, statistics tracking, time management during matches, league table mathematics
Computing
Score recording systems, data analysis of tournament results, digital presentation of achievements
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork under pressure, managing emotions during competition, respect for others, leadership responsibilities
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between both playing areas to observe matches and support referees, maintain overview of all activities
Observation Focus
Monitor tactical application, officiating quality, competitive intensity, and sportsmanship throughout tournament
Intervention Points
Step in if referee decisions need support, if competitive behaviour becomes inappropriate, or if safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Model appropriate celebration of success, demonstrate gracious acceptance of results, show support for all participants regardless of tournament outcomes
Verbal Cues
- •'Great tactical thinking!' to reinforce good decision-making
- •'Brilliant sportsmanship!' to highlight fair play
- •'Referees, trust your decisions!' to build officiating confidence
- •'Reset and go again!' after mistakes to maintain positive focus
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Two playing areas minimum 30m x 20m each, clear of obstacles with adequate buffer zones
Surface Check
Firm, even surface free from holes, debris or hazards, appropriate for running and quick directional changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check tag belts are not damaged or worn
- •Ensure rugby balls are correctly inflated and in good condition
- •Verify whistles are clean and functioning properly
- •Confirm all cones are stable and visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during competitive intensity
- •Fatigue-related injuries during extended tournament play
- •Emotional distress from competitive pressure or results
- •Tag belt injuries from rough pulling or catching
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear playing area boundaries established and maintained
- •Regular monitoring of competitive intensity and player welfare
- •Adequate rest periods between matches to prevent fatigue
- •Strong emphasis on sportsmanship and respectful play
- •Proper tag belt wearing and removal techniques reinforced
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe both playing areas simultaneously
- •Monitor referee performance and support when needed
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or emotional distress
- •Ensure smooth transitions between matches
Emergency Procedures
Immediate first aid available, clear evacuation routes established, emergency contact information accessible