Lesson 2 - Ball Control and Possession
Football Fundamentals & Skills
•Year 8
•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 use skilful ball control and smart movement to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- Combine ball control skills to maintain possession while moving through pressure
- Demonstrate effective possession play through intelligent movement and passing
- Show leadership skills in team situations and game scenarios
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully dribble while maintaining close control under pressure
- Students will keep possession for extended periods through effective passing and movement
- Students will demonstrate leadership by organising teammates and making tactical decisions
Equipment & Resources Required
Place around perimeter of each activity area
Alternative: Size 4 footballs for better control, tennis balls for skill work
Use bright colours for clear area marking
Alternative: Flat markers, sports spots, or chalk lines
Pre-sorted into team sets before lesson
Alternative: Pinnies, coloured bands, or team shirts
Key Vocabulary
Keeping the ball close to your feet while moving, using different parts of the foot
When your team has control of the ball and is trying to keep it away from opponents
Taking responsibility to help organise and motivate your team
Moving into good positions when you don't have the ball to help your team
The target area at each end of the pitch where teams try to score
Protected areas where defenders cannot enter, giving attackers space
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball control using inside and outside of foot
- Simple passing techniques with accuracy
- Understanding of basic football rules and safety
Current Skills
- Combining dribbling and passing under pressure
- Movement without the ball to support possession
- Leadership and communication in team scenarios
Next Steps
- Advanced ball control in tight spaces with multiple defenders
- Complex passing combinations and tactical awareness
- Coaching and mentoring younger students
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Ball control requires small, frequent touches rather than big kicks
- Possession is maintained through movement and communication, not just skill
- Leadership can be shown through encouragement and organisation, not just vocal commands
- Looking up while dribbling prevents collisions and improves decision-making
- Quick passing under pressure requires good first touch and movement off the ball
- Team success comes from supporting each other, not individual brilliance
- Game rules must be understood and respected by all players for fair competition
Common Misconceptions
- Only the captain or best players can show leadership - everyone can demonstrate leadership qualities
- Ball control means keeping the ball as long as possible - often quick passing is better for possession
- Shouting loudly equals good communication - clear, positive communication is more effective
- Physical strength is most important in football - technique and intelligence often triumph
- Making mistakes means you're not good at football - mistakes are part of learning and improving
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with frequent changes, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback, movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls, simplified movements, extra practice time, step-by-step skill breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear structure and routines, visual schedules, quiet zones available, consistent rules and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals and demonstrations, written instructions on boards, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Seated versions of activities, use hands for ball control, modified rules for wheelchair users
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, following and giving instructions, vocabulary development
Maths
Calculating possession percentages, measuring distances for tactical positioning, timing of activities
Science
Understanding forces in ball control, body systems during exercise, physics of ball movement
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding angles and directions of movement
PSHE
Leadership development, teamwork, resilience in face of challenges, managing competitive emotions
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between groups during activities, position at centre point to observe all three games
Observation Focus
Ball control technique, possession play, leadership behaviours, safety compliance
Intervention Points
Step in if rules not being followed, unsafe play, or negative communication
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for skill demonstrations, involve students in examples
Verbal Cues
- •'Keep the ball close!'
- •'Look for the pass!'
- •'Talk to your teammates!'
- •'Well done, great leadership!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 60m x 40m for three games plus warm-up areas, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from holes, stones, or debris that could cause injury
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all footballs are correctly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or damage
- •Verify bibs are clean and have no torn areas that could cause injury
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Player collisions during dribbling and games
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Slips and falls on grass surface
- •Overexertion leading to injury
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between activity areas
- •Progressive warm-up to prepare muscles
- •Regular hydration breaks in warm weather
- •Clear rules about physical contact
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all three game areas
- •Monitor high-intensity activities for overexertion
- •Watch for any signs of frustration or conflict between students
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, apply appropriate first aid, contact office if needed