Keeping the ball safe
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can pick up and run with the ball, and play touch rugby.
Key learning points
- Move: picking up a ball from the floor requires a scoop by reaching first in front of the ball to prevent a knock-on.
- Move: hold the ball tightly to the chest when being tackled to avoid loss of possession.
- Think: the laws of rugby encourage quick passing and moving to try and evade the opposition whilst attacking territory.
- Feel: fumbles are reduced with increased time practising ball skills to build confidence.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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).
Equipment
30+ cones, 1 ball between 4, 20+ bibs.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a knock-on?
Q2.What is awarded if a player knocks-on the ball?
Q3.What should you do with the ball when going into contact?
Q4.What can you do to reduce handling errors?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where should you run to enable the most chance of getting past the defence?
Q2.When a player loses possession by dropping the ball forward, what is it called?
Q3.What often happens if you panic and rush your pass?
Q4.How can you prevent your teammate passing forward to you?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Keeping the ball safe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Keeping the ball safe, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Non-examined assessment: rugby union practical unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.