Football - Lesson 4

The fourth lesson in the Year 3 football curriculum focuses on honing the skills of accurate passing on the move and effectively controlling the ball when receiving a pass. The learning objectives set the stage for pupils to master using the inside of their foot for both passing and receiving. The lesson is structured with clear success criteria, ensuring that by the end of the session, pupils should be able to demonstrate these fundamental football techniques. Key vocabulary such as 'pass', 'inside', 'outside', 'run', and 'move' is introduced to enrich the pupils' understanding of the game. Essential equipment for this lesson includes a class set of footballs and cones to facilitate the planned activities.

The session starts with a 10-minute warm-up that prepares the pupils for the unpredictable nature of passes in a football match, including balls that may bounce and come from various directions. An extension activity challenges them to dribble with their weaker foot and handle more difficult bouncing passes. The main 30-minute segment of the lesson progresses to focus on dribbling and passing skills, incorporating a large rectangular area with cone gates for dynamic exercises. Pupils work in pairs to practice dribbling and passing, with an emphasis on keeping the ball close and maintaining a steady pace. For those ready for an additional challenge, the task is to navigate the rectangle, passing the ball through different gates. The lesson culminates in a relay race that combines running, dribbling, and passing, followed by a cool-down period featuring 'Follow my leader' and various stretching and jogging activities to help pupils unwind and reflect on the difficulties of passing while on the move compared to when stationary.