Stick Mastery & Game Basics
•Year 7
•Lacrosse
•Check all sticks for damage, ensure pockets are secure and no sharp edges on heads
Alternative: If insufficient sticks, rotate positions so students share equipment during games
Keep spare balls around pitch perimeter for quick retrieval
Alternative: Soft rubber balls for students anxious about ball impact
Ensure goals are stable and positioned appropriately for space available
Alternative: Cones set 1.8m apart to mark goal width
Distribute different colours for each team before games begin
Alternative: Coloured bands or pinnies
Assign to officiating students or teacher for each pitch
Alternative: Hand signals if whistles unavailable, though not ideal
Set up rectangular pitches approximately 30m x 20m, mark 5m goal crease areas clearly
Alternative: Existing line markings if on marked pitch
For timing 7-minute games and 1.5-minute breaks
Alternative: Mobile phone timer, visible clock
Display key Pop Lacrosse rules for quick reference during games
Alternative: Written on whiteboard visible to all
Attempting to score goals by moving the ball towards the opponent's goal and creating shooting opportunities
Preventing the opposing team from scoring by marking opponents, intercepting passes and protecting the goal area
The positive impact a player has on their team's performance through skills, effort, communication and sporting behaviour
A modified version of lacrosse with simplified rules including 4-second possession limit and no body contact
Having control of the ball with your stick, limited to 4 seconds in Pop Lacrosse
The 5-metre area in front of goal that players cannot enter but may reach into with their stick
The method of starting play from the centre with one foot on the line, all others 3 metres away
When the ball crosses the boundary line, possession goes to the team whose player was nearest where it crossed
The people responsible for ensuring rules are followed fairly and managing the game safely
The planned strategies and decisions made to gain advantage over opponents
The positive behaviours including passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork that make sport enjoyable and fair
A method of restarting play when a simultaneous foul occurs or players are equidistant from boundary, similar to a face-off
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Vocabulary development through key lacrosse terminology. Oracy skills through team tactical discussions during huddles - speaking clearly, listening to others, taking turns, building on others' ideas. Evaluative language when assessing own and others' performance using technical vocabulary. Following complex verbal instructions during rule review. Reading through written rule cards or information sheets.
Statistics and data handling through tournament scoring, tracking individual and team performance using numbers. Counting skills through 4-second possession timing and game time management. Measuring skills through pitch dimensions, distances in metres for boundaries and goal creases. Shape and space through understanding pitch geometry, angles of passing and movement. Probability and prediction through tactical discussions about likelihood of successful plays.
Forces and motion through understanding how power, angle and technique affect ball trajectory when passing and shooting. Friction and grip affecting ability to run, stop and change direction on different surfaces. Cardiovascular system during exercise - understanding why heart rate and breathing increase during tournament games. Muscular system and coordination required for lacrosse skills. Energy and nutrition - understanding fuel needed for sustained physical activity. Recovery science during cool-down.
Data recording if using technology to track tournament scores, statistics, or performances. Understanding algorithms through learning and following sequences of rules. Logical thinking through tactical planning and strategy development.
Directional language and spatial awareness - using terminology like forward, backwards, left, right, attacking half, defending half. Mapping skills through understanding pitch layout and positioning. Awareness that lacrosse originated with indigenous peoples of North America and spread globally - cultural geography. Understanding local geography through discussion of local clubs and facilities where lacrosse can be played.
Brief context of lacrosse origins with indigenous North American peoples historically. Evolution of lacrosse rules from traditional to modern versions including Pop Lacrosse adaptations. History of sporting values and fair play in society.
Teamwork skills developed through tournament games requiring cooperation and communication. Resilience and managing emotions when facing setbacks such as losing games or making mistakes. Self-belief through having confidence to attempt skills under pressure. Respect for others including officials, teammates and opponents. Honesty through self-assessment and fair play. Healthy lifestyles through understanding benefits of regular physical activity. Setting personal goals for improvement.
Position yourself centrally between pitches where visibility of all game areas is maximised. Do not stay in one location - actively circulate spending 60-90 seconds observing each pitch before moving to next. When circulating, observe from different angles including behind goals (to see attacking play), from sidelines (to see full pitch width), and from centre (to see transitions). Stand where you can also monitor students in officiating roles. Position yourself close enough to hear player communication and official calls but not so close that you interfere with game flow. Move towards any area where intensity is increasing or safety concerns developing. During team huddles, circulate around groups to hear tactical discussions. During rule demonstrations, position where all seated students can see you clearly. During warm-up and cool-down, position centrally where all students are visible.
Primary focus: Safety at all times - scanning for collisions, dangerous stick use, dangerous shooting, students showing signs of distress. Secondary focus: Rule application - are students respecting 4-second possession, goal crease rules, boundaries, starting procedures? Tertiary focus: Skill execution - quality of cradling, passing, catching, dodging under game pressure. Tactical awareness - are students making good decisions, positioning well, using space? Sporting values - encouragement, respect, determination, teamwork, resilience demonstrated consistently? Assessment evidence: Gathering specific examples across Head, Hands, Heart domains for all students. Watch for improvements across the three games indicating learning. Note leadership moments, officiating accuracy, and huddle participation quality. Balance observation between high-ability students who naturally draw attention and lower-ability students who may be struggling. Observe attacking AND defending contributions equally - many teachers over-focus on attacking play.
Intervene immediately if: Any safety issue observed or potential safety issue developing - dangerous play, poor sporting values creating tension, overexertion signs, equipment damage. Intervene promptly if: Rules being consistently violated indicating lack of understanding - stop play briefly to clarify. Officiating significantly incorrect or student officials overwhelmed - support with confident calls. Game becoming non-competitive due to significant skill imbalance - consider adjusting teams. Sporting values declining - negative language, blaming, disrespect - address immediately before it escalates. Student experiencing obvious distress, frustration or exclusion - check in individually. Intervene supportively if: Team struggling tactically - offer brief coaching prompt during play. Student demonstrating excellent skills or values - provide immediate positive recognition. Skills deteriorating due to fatigue - encourage technique focus. Do NOT intervene if: Game flowing well with appropriate challenge, students problem-solving independently, minor rule violations being correctly called by officials, natural game fluctuations occurring, tactical struggles that students should work through themselves.
During warm-up: Demonstrate cradling and dodging with exaggerated clear movements - show head up, stick control, change of direction. During rule review: Demonstrate each rule clearly with volunteers positioned where all can see - show both correct application AND violations for contrast. Emphasise safety rationale behind rules. During games: Avoid excessive demonstration as disrupts flow, but if significant issue affecting multiple students, briefly stop one game to demonstrate correction then restart. Use skilled students to demonstrate for others when appropriate - builds their confidence and shows peer achievement. During cool-down: Demonstrate stretches with controlled, sustained movements and proper breathing. Model appropriate depth and hold time. Throughout lesson: Model sporting values through your own language - respectful, encouraging, positive, determined. Demonstrate enthusiasm for lacrosse to inspire students.
Minimum space requirement: Two pitches each 30m x 20m (1200m² total) or single pitch with rotation. Ideal setup: Three pitches if space permits (1800m²). Clear run-off area of 2m around each pitch boundary. Minimum 5m separation between adjacent pitches if multiple games running simultaneously. Indoor: Large sports hall or gymnasium. Outdoor: Grass field, artificial turf or playground with appropriate surface. Clear of obstacles, walls should be minimum 3m from pitch boundaries.
Before lesson: Visual inspection of entire playing area for hazards including holes, uneven ground, wet patches, debris, glass or stones. Outdoor: Check weather conditions - if ground is waterlogged, icy or dangerously uneven, relocate indoors or modify activity. Ensure good grip available - not slippery. Indoor: Ensure floor is clean, dry and appropriate surface for running. Check for spillages. Ensure adequate lighting throughout space.
If injury occurs: Blow whistle sharply to stop ALL games immediately. Quickly assess injury severity whilst moving towards injured student. For minor injury (small cut, mild knocked ball): Apply appropriate first aid, complete accident form, student may return to activity if comfortable or take alternative role such as officiating. For moderate injury (suspected sprain, bleeding, significant impact): Stop student's participation, apply first aid, sit student safely out of activity, monitor continuously, complete accident form, inform parents/guardians. For serious injury (suspected fracture, head injury, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing): Stop ALL activity immediately, send reliable student to summon additional staff/first aider/call emergency services as appropriate, provide first aid within your competency, do NOT move student unless immediate danger, reassure injured student, keep other students calm and supervised away from incident, complete detailed accident documentation, inform senior leadership and parents immediately. Know location of nearest first aid kit and telephone. Know how to summon emergency services from your location. Have list of students with relevant medical conditions accessible.
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.