New
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Lesson 2 of 6
  • Year 8

Playing smart with the ball at your feet

I can control the ball with both feet and use dummy passes to create space.

Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Playing smart with the ball at your feet

I can control the ball with both feet and use dummy passes to create space.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: to cushion and control an incoming pass successfully you have to use the inside and outside of both feet.
  2. Move: moving into a variety of positions supports the ball carrier with keeping possession.
  3. Think: identifying space behind, ahead and beside the player with the ball, supports your team to keep possession.
  4. Feel: self-regulation is managing your emotions in healthy ways to include controlling impulsivity.
  5. Connect: successful use of a dummy pass, in order to pass to a teammate in space requires clear communication.

Keywords

  • One-touch - controlling and passing the ball with the first touch of the foot

  • Dispersal - the act of spreading something around to create space using both width and depth

  • Rondo - a game of keeping possession with lots of short passes

Common misconception

Pupils wait until a defender is too close before trying to make a pass and consequently lose possession often.

By getting control of the ball quickly, looking up to find teammates in space and passing before a defender gets too close you can keep possession better.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Playing smart with the ball at your feet, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Groups /individuals with limited prior exposure to football will need more time to develop control with their feet and may need a separate lesson on each learning cycle.
Teacher tip

Equipment

a football each, 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.
What is it called when you invade space and get between or behind the defenders?

Correct answer: penetration
long ball
dispersal

Q2.
What is it called when you pass the ball back towards your own goal to find a different angle to attack from?

defensive play
Correct answer: recycling the ball
negative play

Q3.
What is it called when you perform a legal block on a defender?

Correct answer: a screen
an infringement
an infringement

Q4.
What is it know as when you can recognise and understand your own emotions?

Correct answer: self-awareness
empathy
perseverance

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which style of football is hardest for defenders to close down and tackle?

Correct answer: one-touch
two-touch
playing centrally

Q2.
What is it called when you spread the ball wide and deep to create space?

penetration
Correct answer: dispersal
outlet passes

Q3.
What popular game works on keeping possession with lots of short passes?

capoeira
endzone
Correct answer: a rondo

Q4.
Which of the following is least helpful when trying to keep possession?

close touch control
Correct answer: rushed passes
ball on floor