Passing, receiving and breaking the gain line
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can pass and receive on the move.
Key learning points
- Move: sweeping both hands across the body and following through in the direction of the pass increases accuracy.
- Move: making eye contact with the receiving player before passing avoids handling mistakes.
- Think: you are not allowed to pass the ball to a teammate who is closer to the oppositions try line than you are.
- Feel: innovative passing techniques include offloading in contact and running different lines in attack.
- Connect: with practice you can almost sense where teammates will be but eye contact before passing is preferable.
Keywords
Forward pass - when the ball fails to travel perpendicular or backwards towards a players own try line
Knock-on - when a player drops and fumbles a ball forwards when trying to catch a pass
Offside - a player who is closer to the oppositions try line, than the ball carrier, and hence not allowed to interfere with play until back onside
Common misconception
I don't need to practice passing because I can already catch well and have good technique.
Passing isn’t just about mechanics, it’s also about teamwork. Practicing with different teammates helps improve subtle communication, like eye contact and timing, and allows you to understand how others prefer to receive the ball.
Teacher tip
With a mixed ability class you may wish to start pupils without much previous rugby experience or limited catching skills, passing from stationary to gain confidence before passing on the move.
Equipment
30+ cones, 10 x rugby balls, 5 sets of 5 bibs.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How many hands should you hold the rugby ball with when carrying it to keep it safe and prevent dropping the ball?
Q2.Which direction do you not pass in rugby?
Q3.Is it important to practice basic skills?
Q4.What is it called when a player fumbles a ball forwards on the ground?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the benefit of practicing passing to different people?
Q2.Why is it important to run different lines in attack?
Q3.If your teammate is about to pass you the ball, where should you be positioned?
Q4.What is awarded if a player is offside?
To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Passing, receiving and breaking the gain line, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Passing, receiving and breaking the gain line, 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.