Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
View my library
0
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 7

Creating space

I can create space and use it to build an attack

Download all resources
New
New
Year 7

Creating space

I can create space and use it to build an attack

Download all resources

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View new resources

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: drawing the defender outwards or running wide is an effective way of creating space.
  2. Think: understanding the importance of creating space will increase success in invasion games.
  3. Think: being part of a team and participating in physical activity is good for your mental health.
  4. Feel: taking responsibility for ourselves and our team mates develops confidence and leads to success.
  5. Connect: communication skills are developed by calling and signalling for the ball.

Keywords

  • Draw a defender - causing a defender to move towards you (also a tie or equal score in a game)

  • Dummy - used to deceive the opposition into thinking you will pass, shoot or move in a certain direction

  • Width - the area on the sides of the pitch or court

Common misconception

Crowding around the ball

By taking the ball out into the wide channels on a pitch/court, you draw defenders out of their area and create space elsewhere to pass to your own players and make an attack on goal.


To help you plan your year 7 physical education lesson on: Creating space, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson can be repeated with the same practices but utilising different balls and rules dictated by the class. If using rugby, you will want to overload the attack further and obviously need to run rather than pass forwards into the next zone.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A variety of footballs, handballs, basketballs, netballs, rugby balls etc as appropriate for playing surface; cones or floor markers; bibs

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which component of fitness is most important when dribbling the ball?

Correct answer: coordination
strength
endurance

Q2.
Where on the court/pitch is it often easiest to invade/attack?

up the middle
Correct answer: up the sides
from the back

Q3.
What is a good way to build up your confidence?

one big game
in isolation
Correct answer: small sided games

Q4.
Calling and signalling for the ball are examples of what?

leadership
Correct answer: communication
aggression

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Why is it helpful to draw a defender when attacking?

to score
Correct answer: to create space
to get free

Q2.
What does our body release when we participate in team games that is really good for our mental health?

sweat
Correct answer: hormones
cortisol

Q3.
Which is the best way to communicate for the ball to avoid detection from the defenders?

shouting
calling
Correct answer: signalling

Q4.
With practice, what situation should you try to create to maximise chances of scoring?

Correct Answer: 2v1, 2 v 1, 2 vs 1, 2vs1, 2 versus 1