Games 3 - Lesson 3

In the third lesson of the 'Games 3' series for Year 1, the objective is to teach pupils how to defend a space against their peers in small-sided games. The success of the lesson is measured by the pupils' ability to actively look for space as a defender and their competency in stopping and intercepting a ball being passed across a space. Key vocabulary such as 'attacking', 'defending', 'space', 'intercepting', and 'marking' is introduced, ensuring that pupils are familiar with the terms related to the activities. A variety of equipment including beanbags, tennis balls, soft balls, cones, and large balls is required to facilitate the exercises.

The lesson begins with a warm-up called 'Defend The Treasure Chest', where pupils are divided into four groups and tasked with retrieving items from a central hoop without being tagged by a defender. This activity not only energises the pupils but also introduces them to the concept of defending a specific area. The main part of the lesson consists of two activities: 'In The Middle', where pupils practice intercepting a ball thrown between two peers, and 'Not Passed Me!', an exercise that focuses on defending space and intercepting passes in a group scenario. The lesson concludes with a cool-down game called '10 Balls', where pupils aim to throw balls to the opposite side while defenders try to intercept. Throughout the lesson, variations and extensions are suggested to adjust the difficulty level, and 'Pupil Talk' prompts encourage reflection and discussion on the skills practiced.