Officiating small-sided games
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can self-officiate a basic game of rugby.
Key learning points
- Move: when tackled, a player needs to pass the ball out from the breakdown quickly to catch the opposition off guard.
- Think: in rugby, the referee is more vocal throughout to prevent infringements and stoppages of play.
- Feel: creative players can identify spaces to run into that have been left unguarded by defenders.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Equipment
30+ cones, 6 sets of 6 bibs and 6 balls
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How can you stop an attacker scoring a try?
Q2.Where should you aim to tackle an opponent?
Q3.A knock on should be called if a ball is dropped and travels in which direction?
Q4.How can you evade a defender?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How could you stop the game as the referee?
Q2.If you get sent off, where do you go?
Q3.How can you prevent going offside?
Q4.Why is it beneficial to play advantage?
To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Officiating small-sided games, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Officiating small-sided games, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 3 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: tactics and strategies to outwit through rugby unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.