New
New
Year 10
AQA

Keeping the ball safe

I can pick up and run with the ball, and play touch rugby.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Keeping the ball safe

I can pick up and run with the ball, and play touch rugby.

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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: picking up a ball from the floor requires a scoop by reaching first in front of the ball to prevent a knock-on.
  2. Move: hold the ball tightly to the chest when being tackled to avoid loss of possession.
  3. Think: the laws of rugby encourage quick passing and moving to try and evade the opposition whilst attacking territory.
  4. Feel: fumbles are reduced with increased time practising ball skills to build confidence.
  5. Connect: clear communication helps prevent handling errors by increasing awareness of the location of other players.

Keywords

  • Knock-on - when a player drops and fumbles a ball forwards when trying to catch a pass

  • Fumble - clumsy handling that often results in a drop ball and turnover

  • Support runner - a player who runs a well-timed, deliberate run off the ball handler to receive a pass or draw a defender

Common misconception

Pupils think the best thing to do when a defender is about to tackle you is to (panic) pass the ball.

Panic passing before contact in rugby often leads to turnovers, as the pass is rushed, inaccurate, and easier for the opposition to intercept or disrupt, therefore the best decision can sometimes be to keep hold of the ball and take it into contact.


To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Keeping the ball safe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to run practices in ability groups and incorporate tackling in the practices. Remember, contact versions of the game should only be managed by suitably experienced and qualified staff (inc. concussion training).
Teacher tip

Equipment

30+ cones, 1 ball between 4, 20+ 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 is a knock-on?

Correct answer: player running forward
ball dropped backwards
dropping ball forwards

Q2.
What is awarded if a player knocks-on the ball?

opposition pass
Correct answer: scrum
play the ball

Q3.
What should you do with the ball when going into contact?

pass it quickly
Correct answer: protect the ball
drop it

Q4.
What can you do to reduce handling errors?

pass faster
Correct answer: improve communication
catch one handed

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Where should you run to enable the most chance of getting past the defence?

at the defender
to the edge
Correct answer: in the gaps

Q2.
When a player loses possession by dropping the ball forward, what is it called?

Correct Answer: a knock-on, knock-on, knock on, a knock on

Q3.
What often happens if you panic and rush your pass?

an easy catch
Correct answer: a fumbled ball
a try

Q4.
How can you prevent your teammate passing forward to you?

run faster
shout louder
Correct answer: start further back