Games 2 - Lesson 1

In the first lesson of the Games 2 module for Year 2 athletics, the aim is to develop pupils' kicking skills, focusing on control and accuracy. The success criteria for the lesson are clearly set out: pupils should be able to stop a moving ball with the sole of their foot, pass a ball with precision, and kick towards targets. The key vocabulary introduced includes "kicking," "control," "inside of foot," "sole of foot," and "target." To facilitate the activities, the necessary equipment includes footballs, cones, and benches. The lesson kicks off with a 10-minute warm-up called 'Watermelon Burst,' where pupils move around the area, avoiding touching the balls ('watermelons') until the teacher signals, at which point they must quickly place their foot on top of their ball. This exercise aims to develop spatial awareness and control using the sole of the foot.

The main part of the lesson lasts 30 minutes and consists of three activities designed to enhance the pupils' kicking abilities. The first activity, 'Pairs Passing,' involves pupils working in pairs to pass a ball back and forth, ensuring they stop it with their foot before each pass. The second activity, 'Pairs Zig-Zag Kicking,' has pairs kicking the ball to each other in a zig-zag pattern between cones. For the final activity, 'Target Score,' teams of pupils attempt to hit cones placed in front of a bench by kicking a ball towards them. Each activity includes extensions and variations to challenge the pupils further and encourage the use of non-dominant feet. The lesson concludes with a 10-minute cool down where pupils dribble around the area and then quickly pass the ball between their feet on command, reflecting on what they have learned about kicking and stopping the ball throughout the session.