Officiating games
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can apply the rules of futsal to play a full game without teacher intervention.
Key learning points
- Move: clear arm signals are given when refereeing to ensure players can see the decision.
- Think: players have 4 seconds to restart play from kick-ins, free kicks, goal clearances and corner kicks.
- Feel: determination and focus are required regardless of role (player or official) to perform at your best.
- Connect: it is essential to avoid bias by always treating players fairly rather than giving favouritism to your friends.
Keywords
Role - the specific function or responsibility that a player takes on during a game, e.g. referee or manager
Bias - unfair judgment or decision-making by a referee, where their personal opinions impact their ability to make accurate decisions
Foul - an unfair act by a player that contravenes the game's laws
Common misconception
Pupils may lack the confidence to officiate a game and may struggle to take control of the game. They may be biased towards certain teams depending on who they are friends with.
Create a safe, encouraging environment where pupils know it is acceptable to make mistakes when refereeing Reward referees when they handle challenges made towards their decision making. Ensure pupils are respecting one another's decisions.
Teacher tip
Try to differentiate even with the role of a referee, e.g. some pupils could start with the very basic rules and gradually build their confidence in introducing more rules or work in pairs. Teach the most critical refereeing actions first such as signalling fouls and stopping/restarting play.
Equipment
a small ball with reduced bounce (size 3 ideally) per pupil, approx 50 cones of various colours, bibs, whistles
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following attributes helps you the most when refereeing?
Q2.A penalty kick is awarded after a team makes how many fouls in a game?
Q3.Which of the following skills can be used to turn in futsal?
Q4.If you make unfair and inaccurate decisions as a referee, what could you be guilty of?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.If we avoid bias and apply the rules consistently for both teams, what are we demonstrating?
Q2.How many seconds do players have to restart the game when taking a kick in?
Q3.As well as good voice projection and use of a whistle, what else can you use to help you when refereeing a game?
Q4.In futsal, who are players not allowed to pass to when they are attacking?
To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Officiating games, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Officiating games, 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 3 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: basic tactics to overcome opponents through futsal unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.