New
New
Year 7

Defending as a unit

I can apply pressure to stop an attack using different defensive strategies

New
New
Year 7

Defending as a unit

I can apply pressure to stop an attack using different defensive strategies

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: standing in a T position between an attacker and the goal will reduce your opponent's chance of scoring.
  2. Think: successful defending can involve marking the opposition's players or guarding an assigned area (zone).
  3. Feel: self-belief is important for team performance.
  4. Connect: the whole team needs to agree and implement their defensive strategy for it to be effective.

Keywords

  • Jockey - a defending skill to steer attacker away from the goal.

  • Zonal defence - a system where players guard an assigned area rather than marking a player.

  • Obstruction - when a player unfairly moves their body to prevent an opponent getting to and/or playing the ball.

Common misconception

Failing to remain goal side whilst keeping a view on the player and the ball.

Failing to remain goal side of your opposition exposes yourself to an easy scoring opportunity.


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

This lesson works well to explore through the context of a number of different invasion games with the ball in hand, or at feet or on an implement (e.g. hockey stick), as well as having different types of goals. Perhaps the most simple starting point is through a netball type game.
Teacher tip

Equipment

a variety of balls e.g. net/ foot/hand/basket/rugby etc. as appropriate; goals/baskets; cones; 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.
What is it called when you attack the opposition's area of the pitch/court?

Correct answer: invading territory
evading territory
avoiding territory

Q2.
What is the term given to breaking down a team’s defensive line?

outwitting
Correct answer: penetration
out running

Q3.
What is a planned strategy to implement in a game called?

formation play
technical thinking
Correct answer: tactics

Q4.
What are the different attacking and defensive areas of the court/pitch called?

centre
Correct answer: zones
goal lines

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What is the correct term for when you are goal side and steer an attacker away from the goal?

marking
Correct answer: jockeying
defending

Q2.
If player-to-player is one option for a defensive strategy, what is the second option?

area
Correct answer: zonal
laissez-faire

Q3.
What is when a player unfairly moves their body to prevent an opponent from getting to and/or playing the ball called?

outwitting
Correct answer: obstruction
defending

Q4.
What does self-belief help with?

winning
Correct answer: team performance
avoiding conflict