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Lesson 1 - Movement & Deception

Strategic Movement

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Year 9

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Ultimate Frisbee

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Big Question

How can intelligent movement and deception create space and maintain possession in Ultimate Frisbee?

Learning Objectives

Know how to lose a defender using changes of direction, speed and fakes
Move after a pass to receive the next pass and support teammates
Know key points of how to keep possession through split vision and positioning

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate effective movement patterns to lose defenders
Students will apply split vision principles when defending
Students will maintain possession through intelligent passing and movement

Equipment & Resources Required

Frisbees

1 per 2-3 students (minimum 10)

Store in central location, distribute at start of activities

Alternative: Soft foam frisbees for beginners, regulation 175g discs for advanced

Bibs

2 sets of 15 (two colours)

Pre-sorted by size for quick distribution

Alternative: Coloured bands, team shirts

Cones

40-50

Use to mark boundaries, zones and grid areas

Alternative: Markers, spots, painted lines

Stopwatch

For timing activities and rotations

Alternative: Phone timer, sports watch

Key Vocabulary

Grip

How you hold the frisbee - thumb on top, fingers underneath the rim

Pivot

Keeping one foot planted while moving the other foot to change position or create throwing angles

Fake

A deceptive movement to trick the defender - fake throw, fake direction change

Split Vision

Defending technique where you watch both the player and the disc using peripheral vision

Pass and Move

After passing the frisbee, immediately move to a new position to receive the next pass

Turnover

Loss of possession when disc hits ground, goes out of bounds, or is intercepted

Disc

The official term for the frisbee used in Ultimate Frisbee

Maintain Possession

Keeping control of the disc through intelligent passing, movement and decision-making

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic frisbee throwing techniques (forehand and backhand)
Understanding of invasion games principles
Basic spatial awareness and movement in games

Current Skills

Losing a defender through deception
Pass and move principles in Ultimate Frisbee
Split vision defending techniques
Maintaining possession under pressure

Next Steps

Advanced offensive strategies and set plays
Zone defence systems in Ultimate Frisbee
Tournament play and competitive tactics

Milestone Indicators

Student successfully loses defender 3+ times in game situation

Student demonstrates split vision by intercepting passes

Team maintains possession for 5+ consecutive passes

Key Teaching Points

Pivot foot must stay planted - ball of foot in contact with ground, enables 360-degree movement to create throwing angles
Effective fakes require 'selling' the dummy - use eyes, shoulders and arms to deceive, then quick transition to real throw
Pass and move is non-negotiable - after releasing disc, immediately sprint to new position to support teammate
Split vision defending: position body sideways between player and disc, eyes on attacker's hips (they don't lie), peripheral vision tracks disc
Create triangle support formations - gives disc carrier two passing options at angles, maintains width and depth
Change of pace is more effective than speed alone - slow approach then explosive acceleration loses defenders
Maintain possession through patient passing - safe passes over risky long throws when under pressure

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'I can run with the frisbee like in basketball' - Correction: In Ultimate Frisbee, you must stop as soon as you catch the disc and establish a pivot foot. No running with disc allowed.
Misconception: 'I should watch the frisbee when defending' - Correction: Use split vision - watch the player you're marking (their hips especially) and use peripheral vision to track disc movement.
Misconception: 'After I pass, my job is done' - Correction: After passing, your job has just begun! Immediately move to new space to support and receive the next pass.
Misconception: 'Fakes should be quick flicks' - Correction: Effective fakes need to be 'sold' - use your whole body (eyes, shoulders, arms) to convince the defender, then snap to the real throw.
Misconception: 'Standing still makes me available for a pass' - Correction: Static players are easy to defend. Constant movement with changes of direction and pace creates space and passing opportunities.
Misconception: 'The pivot foot can move as long as one foot is down' - Correction: The pivot foot must stay completely planted (ball of foot in contact with ground). Only the non-pivot foot can move.

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short sharp activities with clear time limits (use visible timer). Regular positive feedback for on-task behaviour. Clear boundaries and structure. Movement breaks built in (already present in pass-and-move!). Designated leadership roles to maintain focus. Minimal verbal instructions - demonstrate more.

dyspraxia

Larger, softer frisbees for easier catching success. Reduce throwing distance initially. Extra practice time for pivot technique. Visual markers for foot positioning. Slow-motion demonstrations. Reduce complexity - focus on one skill at a time before combining. Celebrate small improvements frequently.

autism spectrum

Clear structured routine - visual schedule of lesson sections displayed. Quiet zone available if sensory overload occurs. Consistent rules and expectations. Break down instructions into small steps. Use visual social stories for sporting behaviour expectations. Provide advance warning of transitions between activities.

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured frisbees with contrasting bibs. Provide verbal cues constantly - announce who has disc and where they are. Buddy system with sighted partner. Use audible frisbee (bells attached) for tracking. Reduce playing area size and use tactile boundary markers.

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations essential - show don't just tell. Hand signals for key instructions (pivot, fake, move). Written key vocabulary displayed on whiteboard/cards. Ensure student can see teacher's face when speaking. Vibrating wristband for stop/start signals. Buddy system for communication support.

physical disability

Wheelchair users: allow two-hand pass release, no pivot restrictions, extended possession time. Seated version of activities - pass and move from static positions. Modified equipment: lighter frisbees, larger catching aids. Reduce playing area size. Peer support for retrieving dropped discs.

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills - clear verbal instructions to teammates, developing tactical vocabulary, explaining concepts during peer teaching moments

Maths

Angles of passing and movement, calculating trajectories, spatial geometry of triangle support formations, statistics tracking (pass completion rates, interception percentages)

Science

Forces - application of force to frisbee affects flight distance and accuracy. Air resistance and how disc design creates lift. Energy systems during different intensity phases of lesson.

Drama

Deception and 'acting' in fakes - selling the dummy move convincingly, using body language to mislead opponents, performance under pressure

Geography

Spatial awareness and mapping movement patterns on pitch, directional language (forwards, backwards, diagonal), using width and depth of playing area

PSHE

Teamwork and effective communication, resilience when possession lost, managing competitive emotions positively, fair play and sportsmanship values, leadership through organising teammates

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Position at corner/edge of playing area for maximum visibility. During two-game setup, circulate between courts every 2-3 minutes. Stand where you can see all students without turning back on any group.

Observation Focus

Watch for: 1) Pivot foot compliance, 2) Quality of fakes and deception, 3) Defender positioning for split vision, 4) Movement after passing, 5) Safe play and sporting behaviour

Intervention Points

Step in immediately if: unsafe defending (body contact), pivot foot violations repeated, students excluded/isolated in games, frustration leading to poor sportsmanship, or any student struggling significantly with core concepts

Demonstration Notes

Always demonstrate new skills at slow speed first, then game speed. Use competent student demonstrators where possible to build confidence. Exaggerate key technical points for visibility (pivot foot stay planted, fake movements). Show common mistakes followed immediately by correct technique for clear contrast.

Verbal Cues

•'Pivot!' - reminder to use footwork
•'Fake it!' - encourage deception
•'Split vision!' - cue defensive positioning
•'Move after passing!' - reinforce pass and move
•'Show me your hands!' - receivers create target
•'Triangle shape!' - cue support positioning
•'Watch the hips!' - defender focusing tip

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 40m x 30m for warm-up, two separate 30m x 20m areas for small-sided games. Indoor sports hall or outdoor grass/artificial surface suitable.

Surface Check

Check surface is dry and even before activity. Remove any hazards (stones, wet patches). Mark clear boundaries with highly visible cones.

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all frisbees for cracks or sharp edges before use
•Ensure cones are soft-top with stable bases
•Bibs checked for tears that could cause tripping
•Store spare equipment safely away from playing areas

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students when chasing frisbee
•Frisbee strikes to face or head area
•Ankle injuries from quick direction changes on poor surface
•Slips and falls when pivoting on wet surface
•Overexertion in competitive game phases

Risk Mitigation

•Establish clear boundaries and enforce 'play stops at boundary' rule
•Teach safe catching technique - two hands, watch disc into hands
•Adequate warm-up including dynamic stretching for ankles and knees
•Minimum 10m gap between game pitches to prevent collision
•Non-contact rule strictly enforced - no physical defending
•Regular hydration breaks, especially in warm weather
•Appropriate adult:student ratio for adequate supervision (1:20 for Year 9)

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position at corner of playing area for visibility of all students
•During two-pitch games, circulate between both games regularly
•Monitor high-activity areas (around disc carrier) for safe play
•Keep first aid kit visible and accessible at court side
•Watch for signs of fatigue or discomfort - intervene if needed

Emergency Procedures

STOP command halts all play immediately. Assess injury severity. Apply appropriate first aid. Serious injury: call for assistance, do not move student. Minor injury: seated rest, assess before return to play. Complete accident report form as per school policy.