Breaking the line
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create try scoring opportunities by moving at pace and supporting the ball carrier from an onside position.
Key learning points
- Move: using fast feet with a varied rhythm helps to wrong foot the opposition.
- Move: attackers supporting the ball carrier should run on to the ball at pace from deep.
- Think: once you make a pass, it is important to get back onside to support the next phase of play.
- Feel: individuals need to show determination to get past a defender successfully.
- Connect: leadership at the breakdown helps capitalise on opportunities to attack or to deny the opposition's attack.
Keywords
Feint - a brief movement in one direction to confuse or deceive the opposition before running in a different direction
Swerve - a small change of direction at speed to evade a defender
Offside - if a player is not behind the ball when it is played by a teammate and they interfere with play
Common misconception
Pupils think they should stand next to the ball carrier when running a support line.
It is better to start deeper so you are able to catch the ball at full pace and have more chance of breaking the gain line
Teacher tip
Tackling, rucking and mauling can be us used in this lesson if pupils are experienced and safe to do so, however, contact versions of the game should only be managed by suitably experienced and qualified staff (inc. concussion training).
Equipment
1 ball between 2, 12 tackle bags and 30+ cones
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When are spin passes beneficial to use?
Q2.What is a dummy pass?
Q3.What can a lateral pass to a player at the gain line be known as?
Q4.What’s the attacking play where the player passes and then runs around the outside to catch again?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is it called if you curve your run at speed to evade a defender?
Q2.Where should you start as a support runner to the ball carrier?
Q3.At a ruck, if an attacker moves forward quicker than the ball is released what is likely to happen?
Q4.If you are the person distributing the ball from the breakdown what good qualities should you demonstrate?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Breaking the line, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Breaking the 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 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.