New
New
Year 8

Positioning and creating options in attack

I can penetrate the defence and create space through dispersal.

New
New
Year 8

Positioning and creating options in attack

I can penetrate the defence and create space through dispersal.

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.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: shooting with the instep (laces) or outside of the foot applies more speed and power.
  2. Move: leaning slightly back and striking the bottom of the ball creates lift for a lofted pass or shot.
  3. Think: long distance passes help us to increase attacking options by making full use of pitch width and depth.
  4. Feel: getting into space and calling/showing for the ball requires confidence.
  5. Connect: being vocal but not overly dominant or arrogant helps team morale.

Keywords

  • Penetration - exploiting spaces between and behind the defenders both with and without the ball

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

  • Lofted pass - striking underneath the ball whilst leaning back to get it to travel up in the air rather than along the ground

Common misconception

Pupils often find passing over distance much harder and try to kick the ball too hard. Often pupils are too close together so no one is in a wide position to aim for.

Encourage pupils to slowly increase the distance at which they pass so they maintain control and accuracy. Pupils should be encouraged to adopt wide positions when attacking, stretching defenders to create space.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Positioning and creating options in attack, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

As the unit progresses, some pupils may struggle with complex skills and you may have some accomplished footballers. Be aware of pupils becoming disengaged either due to boredom (not being challenged) or frustration (being challenged too much). Always have options to address this issue.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A size 4 football between 2 or size 3 if more suitable, approx 50 cones of various colours, bibs, items to be used as an obstacle (something tall).

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 the best way of creating space when attacking to help your teammates?
be still
be vocal
Correct answer: movement
Q2.
When trying to break down a defence that is well organised, what is our best option to maintain possession?
shoot
dribble into them
Correct answer: quick accurate passes
Q3.
What are we demonstrating when showing or calling for the ball in an attacking position?
excitement
arrogance
Correct answer: confidence
Q4.
What part of the foot should you use to create power and speed when shooting?
Correct answer: instep
the sole
side of foot

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What should you do with your kicking leg once you have performed a lofted pass?
nothing
Correct answer: follow through
point it downwards
Q2.
What word do we use to describe exploiting spaces between and behind the defenders both with and without the ball?
Correct answer: penetration
patience
power
Q3.
What do long distance passes help us to make use of on the pitch?
substitutes
Correct answer: width and depth
goalkeepers
Q4.
What are we trying to generate if we strike the bottom of the ball when performing a lofted pass?
curve
control
Correct answer: lift