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Lesson 6 - Leadership & Self-Assessment

Technical Mastery & Tactics

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Year 9

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Invasion Games

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Big Question

How can leading others in competition help us understand our own sporting strengths and areas for development?

Learning Objectives

Be able to accurately self-assess performance in Gaelic football using specific criteria
Lead their own mini tournament effectively demonstrating organisational and communication skills
Apply all skills learned throughout the unit in competitive play with tactical awareness

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate leadership skills by organising teams, rules, and tournament structure
Students will accurately evaluate their own and peers' performance using assessment criteria
Students will apply technical skills, tactics, and teamwork in competitive tournament play

Equipment & Resources Required

Gaelic Footballs

15-20

Distributed around playing area, check inflation levels

Alternative: Size 3 footballs, rugby balls

Cones

40-50

Mark out multiple small pitches for tournament games

Alternative: Markers, poles

Bibs

30 (2 sets of different colours)

Organised by team captains for easy distribution

Alternative: Coloured bands, team shirts

Large Goals

4-6

Position at each end of tournament pitches

Alternative: Portable goals, cone goals with height markers

Stopwatch

4-6

Given to student timekeepers for each game

Alternative: Mobile phones with timer apps

Score Sheets

Printed self-assessment criteria sheets for each student

Alternative: Digital assessment forms on tablets

Clipboards

For scorekeepers and assessment completion

Alternative: Hard surfaces for writing

Key Vocabulary

Self-assessment

The process of evaluating your own performance against specific criteria to identify strengths and areas for improvement

Tournament

A competition involving multiple teams or players competing in organised matches to determine overall winners

Leadership

The ability to guide, motivate and organise others effectively towards achieving shared goals

Fair play

Playing according to the rules with respect for opponents, teammates, and officials

Sportsmanship

Demonstrating integrity, respect, and graciousness in both victory and defeat

Tactical awareness

Understanding when and how to apply different skills and strategies based on game situations

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Students have learned basic Gaelic football skills: catching, kicking, solo runs, tackling
Students understand basic rules and regulations of Gaelic football
Students have experience of small-sided games and tactical awareness
Students have developed teamwork and communication skills through previous lessons

Current Skills

Self-assessment using specific performance criteria
Leadership skills in sports organisation and team management
Tournament organisation including scheduling, scoring, and officiating
Application of all technical skills in competitive pressure situations

Next Steps

Transfer leadership skills to other invasion games and sports
Develop coaching and mentoring abilities with younger students
Progress to more complex tournament formats and competition structures
Apply self-assessment skills to academic and personal development contexts

Milestone Indicators

Students can organise a tournament independently with minimal teacher intervention

Self-assessment accuracy matches teacher observations

Leadership behaviours are evident throughout the lesson

Technical skills are applied effectively under competitive pressure

Key Teaching Points

Leadership is about supporting others to succeed, not just being the best performer yourself
Self-assessment requires honest reflection on progress, not comparison with others
Tournament success includes fair play, organisation, and teamwork - not just winning games
Apply all technical skills learned throughout the unit consistently under competitive pressure
Good sportsmanship becomes most important when competition is most intense
Different students contribute to team success in different ways - celebrate all contributions
Leadership roles require clear communication, organisation, and encouragement of others

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Only the best players can be effective leaders. Reality: Leadership is about communication, organisation, and supporting others regardless of ability level
Misconception: Winning is the most important measure of success in tournaments. Reality: Skill development, leadership growth, and sportsmanship are equally valuable outcomes
Misconception: Self-assessment should focus on weaknesses and areas for improvement. Reality: Balanced assessment recognises achievements and sets realistic targets for growth
Misconception: Competition pressure means you should abandon proper technique for quick results. Reality: Maintaining good technique under pressure demonstrates true skill mastery
Misconception: Fair play and sportsmanship are less important in competitive situations. Reality: Character and integrity become more important when stakes are higher

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Provide multiple active roles throughout tournament, use shorter game times if needed, offer movement breaks between games for non-playing students

dyspraxia

Focus on leadership and organisational roles rather than complex skills, provide step-by-step guides for tournament procedures, celebrate strategic thinking over physical performance

autism spectrum

Provide clear tournament schedule and structure in advance, allow for quiet zones during intense competition, offer alternative leadership roles that match interests

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls and bibs for better visibility, provide verbal commentary during games, assign sighted partner for tournament organisation tasks

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for game starts and stops, provide written tournament rules and procedures, ensure clear sightlines for lip reading during instructions

physical disability

Adapt roles to include non-playing tournament officials (scoring, timekeeping), modify pitch sizes for wheelchair users, provide seated leadership opportunities

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Leadership communication skills, giving clear instructions and feedback, writing self-assessment reflections and peer evaluations

Maths

Tournament organisation requiring scheduling calculations, score recording and league table mathematics, time management using minutes and seconds

Science

Understanding forces and motion in ball flight and player movement, energy systems during sustained competitive activity

Geography

Spatial awareness for pitch positioning and tactical movement, understanding of direction and positioning relative to goals and teammates

History

Understanding origins and cultural significance of Gaelic football in Irish heritage and traditions

PSHE

Leadership development and responsibility, teamwork and cooperation skills, resilience and managing competition pressure, self-reflection and personal development

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position allowing oversight of all tournament pitches, moving between games to provide support and monitor safety

Observation Focus

Monitor leadership development, skill application under pressure, safety compliance, and emotional responses to competition

Intervention Points

Step in for safety concerns, support struggling leaders, resolve rule disputes, provide encouragement during emotional moments

Demonstration Notes

Model leadership behaviours, demonstrate positive competitive attitudes, show how to give constructive feedback during games

Verbal Cues

•'Remember your skills - don't let competition pressure change your technique!'
•'Captains, this is your moment to show real leadership!'
•'Great sportsmanship - that's what champions really look like!'
•'Focus on playing your best game, not just winning!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Multiple small pitches (minimum 30m x 20m each) with 5m safety zones between pitches

Surface Check

Level playing surface free from holes, debris, or wet patches that could cause slips

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all footballs are correctly inflated and in good condition
•Ensure goals are stable and securely positioned
•Verify cones are visible and placed safely away from playing areas
•Confirm stopwatches are working correctly for accurate timing

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during competitive games
•Falls during tackle attempts or rapid direction changes
•Ball strikes to head or body during competitive play
•Overexertion due to competitive tournament atmosphere
•Emotional reactions to competitive pressure or results

Risk Mitigation

•Clear pitch boundaries established with adequate separation
•Emphasis on fair play and safe tackling techniques throughout
•Teacher circulation between all games for immediate intervention
•Regular reminders about maintaining skills focus over winning
•Timekeepers trained to stop games immediately if incidents occur

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for visibility across multiple tournament games simultaneously
•Monitor tackle technique and intervene if dangerous play develops
•Watch for signs of overexertion or emotional distress during competition
•Support student officials in maintaining safety standards

Emergency Procedures

Immediate game stoppage signal, assessment of incident severity, appropriate first aid response, incident recording procedures