Lesson 2 - Snap Technique and Tag Defence
Invasion Game Skills
•Year 7
•Flag 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 we work effectively with teammates while defending against opponents in Flag Football?
Learning Objectives
- Understand how to work alongside and against others when attacking and defending
- Perform a snap centre-quarterback exchange with accuracy
- Grab an opponent's flags consistently during defensive play
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective teamwork in attacking and defending scenarios
- Students will execute successful snap exchanges between centre and quarterback
- Students will show improved defensive tagging technique and positioning
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute balls to activity stations around the area
Alternative: Rugby balls or tennis balls for practice
Check all belts have 2 flags securely attached before lesson
Alternative: Fabric strips tucked into waistbands
Use to mark activity areas, boundaries, and target zones
Alternative: Bibs or markers for area definition
For timing activities and rotations
Alternative: Mobile phone timer
For tactical explanations and assessment recording
Alternative: Large paper and markers
Key Vocabulary
The action of passing the ball backwards between the legs from centre to quarterback to start a play
The player who starts each play by snapping the ball to the quarterback
The player who receives the snap and directs the offensive play
A player who runs routes to catch passes from the quarterback
The fabric strips attached to the belt that defenders must grab to 'tackle'
The imaginary line where each play begins, separating the two teams
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of flag football rules
- Can throw and catch a football accurately
- Understands concept of attacking and defending
Current Skills
- Snap technique - basic hand-off and aerial snap
- Defensive positioning and flag grabbing
- Teamwork in game situations
Next Steps
- Advanced offensive plays and formations
- Complex defensive strategies
- Game management and leadership skills
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Snap technique requires wrist flick, not whole arm movement
- Defensive positioning means reading attacker's body language
- Communication is essential for effective teamwork
- Clean flag grabbing prevents injuries and arguments
- Progressive skill building ensures everyone can succeed
- Video analysis helps students see their own improvement
- Self-assessment develops independent learners
Common Misconceptions
- Snapping harder makes it better - correction: consistency and accuracy matter more than force
- Defenders should wait for attackers to move - correction: anticipation and positioning are key
- Individual skill is more important than teamwork - correction: games are won through team coordination
- Aggressive play shows determination - correction: controlled technique is more effective
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with movement breaks, clear boundaries and rules, regular positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, reduce activity complexity, extra practice time, step-by-step demonstrations
autism spectrum
- Clear activity structure with visual schedules, quiet zones available, predictable rotation patterns
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured footballs and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for game rules
physical disability
- Modify throwing distances, seated snap practice, adapted flag positions for wheelchair users
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills during team activities, following complex instructions, peer assessment vocabulary
Maths
Calculating scores, measuring distances for activity setup, using Roman numerals and mental arithmetic in warm-up
Science
Understanding forces in ball throwing, trajectory and momentum in aerial snaps, reaction times in defensive play
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, dealing with competitive pressure, supporting others' learning, leadership development
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Stand at corner of area for visibility of all groups, move between activities during practice sessions
Observation Focus
Watch for snap technique development, defensive positioning, and team communication
Intervention Points
Step in if flag grabbing becomes aggressive, if students struggle with basic techniques, or if safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for technique demonstrations, show both successful and unsuccessful examples for comparison
Verbal Cues
- •'Soft hands for receiving!'
- •'Read the attacker's movement!'
- •'Quick transitions!'
- •'Communicate with your team!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 40m area, clear of obstacles, with 2m safety margins around boundaries
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from holes, stones, or slippery areas that could cause falls
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all tag belts are properly secured with flags attached
- •Ensure footballs are correctly inflated and in good condition
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during chase activities
- •Trips and falls during direction changes
- •Aggressive flag grabbing causing injuries
- •Balls thrown too hard causing impact injuries
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with cones
- •Adequate spacing between activity groups (minimum 5m)
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
- •Emphasis on clean flag grabbing technique
- •Controlled throwing distances and force
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups
- •Monitor high-activity areas like chase games
- •Move between groups during partner/small group work
- •Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately on safety concern, assess injury appropriately, follow school first aid protocols, adapt activities if needed