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FreeLower KS2Year 3, Year 4Outdoor

Football: Attack & Defend

Six lessons that develop dribbling, passing, receiving and simple tactics for attacking and defending in small-sided games.

Unit overview

Pupils develop close control, passing and receiving, then apply them in small-sided games. The focus is on decision making - when to dribble, when to pass, and how to defend as a team - in an inclusive, low-pressure setting.

Prior learning

  • Can dribble a ball with some control in a straight line.
  • Can stop a rolling ball with their foot.
  • Understands simple game rules and fair play.

Learning objectives

  • Dribble using different parts of the foot while keeping the ball close.
  • Pass and receive with the inside of the foot accurately over 5-10 metres.
  • Recognise when to pass or dribble in a game.
  • Use basic defending principles: stay goal-side, delay, and work with a teammate.

Progression of skills

  • Lesson 1: close control dribbling
  • Lesson 2: inside-foot passing
  • Lesson 3: receiving and turning
  • Lesson 4: attacking - creating space
  • Lesson 5: defending - goal-side and delay
  • Lesson 6: small-sided games festival

Assessment opportunities

emerging

Dribbles with the ball often escaping; passes inaccurately; finds it hard to know where to stand in a game.

developing

Dribbles with the ball mostly close; passes to a partner over 5 metres; sometimes moves into space.

secure

Dribbles with head up and changes direction; passes and receives accurately; makes good choices to pass, dribble or defend goal-side.

End-of-unit outcomes

  • Pupils can pass and receive with the inside of the foot.
  • Pupils can explain one attacking and one defending principle.
  • Pupils play 4v4 games fairly and with understanding of rules.

The six lessons

  1. 1Close ControlTo dribble the ball using different parts of the foot while keeping it close. · 41 minsFree
  2. 2Inside-Foot PassingTo pass the ball accurately with the inside of the foot. · 41 minsFree
  3. 3Receive and TurnTo control the ball with the first touch and turn away from pressure. · 41 minsFree
  4. 4Creating SpaceTo move into space to support a teammate when attacking. · 43 minsFree
  5. 5Goal-Side DefendingTo defend by staying between the attacker and the goal and delaying the attack. · 43 minsFree
  6. 6Small-Sided FestivalTo apply attacking and defending skills in small-sided games, showing fair play. · 37 minsFree