New
New
Year 8

Score and add defenders to increase complexity

I can work with teammates to outwit the goalkeeper and defenders.

New
New
Year 8

Score and add defenders to increase complexity

I can work with teammates to outwit the goalkeeper and defenders.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: very little follow through is applied when chipping the ball to reduce power whilst maximising lift.
  2. Think: quick decisions and applying tactics increases our chances of scoring goals.
  3. Think: tackles need to be carefully timed to ensure contact with the ball not the player; excessive force is penalised.
  4. Feel: choosing when it is best to pass or execute a shot requires confidence and practice.
  5. Connect: playing competitive games requires good team work, communication and tactics.

Keywords

  • Decision-making - the ability to quickly assess a situation and choose the best action

  • Tactics - the planned strategies and team movements used to control different aspects of the game

  • Chip - a shot where the ball is kicked underneath with accuracy, but less force, to lift it up over the goalkeeper or defenders

Common misconception

Pupils struggle to make quick decisions and perform skills correctly when defenders are present and adding pressure.

Remind players to scan before receiving the ball. Use mini games or time limits in tasks so pupils are used to performing under pressure.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Score and add defenders to increase complexity, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to focus on accuracy over power when you start to focus more on shooting and scoring. Focus on small sided games to provide pupils with maximum opportunities in games and overload the attack if necessary to ensure pupils experience scoring success.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 ball between 2 (size 4 or 3 depending on ability), 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 (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 direction does the ball travel when you perform a lofted pass?
along the ground
downwards
Correct answer: upwards
Q2.
What do you have to make contact with when tackling in football?
the player
Correct answer: the ball
the referee
Q3.
What can we apply as a team to increase our chances of scoring a goal?
Correct answer: tactics
fouls
more defenders
Q4.
Which of the following skills could you use to beat a defender?
back pass
Correct answer: tackle
step over

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What are you implementing if you and your teammates develop a strategy to create a goal scoring opportunity?
techniques
tackles
Correct answer: tactics
Q2.
Which part of the ball should we make contact with when trying to chip it?
Correct answer: the bottom half
the top half
the side
Q3.
Which of the following attributes will help us the most when trying to make good decisions in a game?
agility
Correct answer: confidence
defensive skills
Q4.
Which of the following is most important when tackling another player?
aggression
good communication
Correct answer: good timing