Defending as a team
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand and apply defensive tactics in a game situation to prevent attacking opportunities for my opponents.
Key learning points
- Move: tagging opponents successfully requires using both hands, focussing on the hips and staying low when approaching.
- Move: when we are close to the ball carrier, we apply pressure by moving towards them quickly.
- Think: when defending, ensuring everyone's in position ready to apply pressure, needs concentration and decision making.
- Feel: taking responsibility to officiate our games, to ensure that everyone plays by the rules, demonstrates integrity.
- Connect: it is important to play respectfully to make sure everyone is motivated and happy when playing the game.
Keywords
Tag - a "tag" is the act of removing a tag or ribbon that is attached to the ball carrier's belt in tag rugby
Carrier - the player who is currently in possession of the ball
Marked - closely guarding our opponent to prevent them from receiving the ball or from passing the ball to others
Common misconception
Pupils often believe they can use physical contact to tackle or push their opponent.
Remind pupils that tag rugby is a non-contact sport and pupils can only tag their opponents or intercept a pass.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils not to stop when they are tagged and to quickly look to pass the ball and keep the game flowing. Remind defenders to be ready for these quick transitions.
Equipment
1 rugby ball between 2, 1 set of tags per pupil, 30+ cones, bibs
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How can you show respect in a game?
Q2.Which option is best for supporting the ball carrier?
Q3.What happens if you pass forward in tag rugby?
Q4.What do you do if you are tagged in tag rugby?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How can you ensure all your opponents are marked when defending?
Q2.What type of sport is tag rugby?
Q3.What’s the most effective position to approach an attacker when trying to tag them?
Q4.What word is used for the player in possession of the ball?
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: Defending as a team, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 physical education lesson on: Defending as a team, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: scenarios, tactics and power play through tag rugby unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.