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Lesson 6 of 6
  • Year 8

Officiating small-sided games

I can self-officiate a basic game of rugby.

Lesson 6 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Officiating small-sided games

I can self-officiate a basic game of rugby.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: when tackled, a player needs to pass the ball out from the breakdown quickly to catch the opposition off guard.
  2. Think: in rugby, the referee is more vocal throughout to prevent infringements and stoppages of play.
  3. Feel: creative players can identify spaces to run into that have been left unguarded by defenders.
  4. Connect: it is important to be fair and honest with your decision making to help manage potential conflict in the game.

Keywords

  • Offside - a player who is closer to the opposition's try line than the ball carrier, and hence not allowed to interfere with play until back onside

  • Sin-bin - an area off the field where a player is sent to sit for a temporary period as a penalty for committing a minor foul

  • Advantage - the period of time after a law infringement in which the non offending side have the opportunity to gain sufficient territory or tactical advantage to avoid need to stop the game

Common misconception

Play needs to be stopped by the referee at every single rule break.

Not every rule break means the game has to stop. The referee can play advantage, keeping the game flowing and more enjoyable. However, dangerous play, like high tackles, must be dealt with straight away to keep everyone safe.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Officiating small-sided games, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to have 2 differentiated pitches for students that are more confident in contact and a touch rugby pitch for pupils that are less confident in contact (or do not want to play contact). There can still be referees with both types of matches. Ensure contact games are fully supervised.
Teacher tip

Equipment

30+ cones, 6 sets of 6 bibs and 6 balls

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.
How can you stop an attacker scoring a try?

pass to them
kick to them
Correct answer: tackle them

Q2.
Where should you aim to tackle an opponent?

round their neck
Correct answer: lower legs
round their waist

Q3.
A knock on should be called if a ball is dropped and travels in which direction?

Correct answer: forward
sideways
backward

Q4.
How can you evade a defender?

Correct answer: side step
run straight
stand still

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How could you stop the game as the referee?

ask the teacher
shout
Correct answer: blow the whistle

Q2.
If you get sent off, where do you go?

Correct Answer: sin bin, sin-bin, sinbin

Q3.
How can you prevent going offside?

Correct answer: stay behind the ball
run faster
kick more

Q4.
Why is it beneficial to play advantage?

Correct Answer: improves game flow