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      Building a team to perform tactics and strategies together

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can perform in a team of increasing size and ensure everyone feels included.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: cardiovascular endurance and speed enable players to get into space repeatedly for the whole game.
      2. Move: explosive speed and quick reactions help an attacker to beat a defender and create a goal scoring opportunity.
      3. Think: instigating the offside trap helps keep opposing strikers away from your goal.
      4. Connect: organising your team formation and strategies requires strong communication and rapport to be effective.

      Keywords

      • Offside - when an attacking player is closer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the second-last defender at the moment the ball is played to them

      • Tactics - the planned strategies, and decisions used by players or teams to gain an advantage and achieve their objectives

      • Formation - how players are positioned to balance attack and defence. The numbers represent defenders, midfielders and forwards

      Common misconception

      When teaching the offside rule, pupils often struggle with understanding a player is offside when the ball is passed to them not when they receive it.

      Use cues to show the moment the ball was passed. For example, you could ask the pupils to freeze just as the ball is passed to determine whether they are offside or not.

      Teacher tip

      If your classes are not ready to implement the offside rule, you do not have to teach this. You could focus more on formations and positions on the pitch and skip this part of the lesson.

      Equipment

      1 ball between 2, approx 50 cones of various colours, bibs

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What are you applying when you increase defensive intensity to an opponent who has the ball?

      Correct answer: pressure
      power
      possession

      Q2.
      What can we improve by scanning the area before receiving the ball?

      skill level
      eyesight
      Correct answer: decision making

      Q3.
      Why might we use a lofted pass in a game?

      to score
      to gain possession
      Correct answer: to switch play

      Q4.
      Which of the following attributes is most important when effectively applying strategies and tactics as a team?

      individuality
      Correct answer: communication
      improvisation

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What are you changing if you decide to play with 2 attackers instead of 1?

      communication
      Correct answer: formation
      organisation

      Q2.
      Which of the following aspects of fitness would help you to perform at your best throughout the game?

      Correct answer: cardiovascular endurance
      speed
      decision making

      Q3.
      Which of the following skills would help you as an attacker to beat the offside trap?

      tackling
      Correct answer: quick reaction time
      co-ordination

      Q4.
      As a defender, what can you use to prevent an attacker from creating a scoring opportunity.

      tackling
      quick reaction time
      Correct answer: offside trap

      To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Building a team to perform tactics and strategies together, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...