Tag Rugby - Lesson 2

In the second lesson of a Year 3 tag rugby series, pupils aim to master the art of evasion while maintaining control of the rugby ball. The learning objectives are clear: pupils should be able to evade opponents by running at speed and into spaces, hold the ball correctly, and develop effective strategies for tagging attackers. Key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms such as 'evade', 'tag', 'sidestep', 'ball', and 'collision'. Equipment needed for the class includes a set of belts and tags, cones, and rugby balls. The lesson begins with a warm-up game of 'Chase', where pupils pair off and one tries to evade the other within a marked zone, practising quick movements and directional changes to avoid being tagged.

The main part of the lesson spans 30 minutes and builds on the skills from the previous session, focusing on evasion with the ball in hand. Pupils learn the importance of holding the ball securely in both hands and practice this while standing still, jogging, and running. A game of 'Breakout' challenges them to evade defenders and exit a larger zone without getting tagged, encouraging teamwork and strategic thinking. The lesson concludes with a 'Cool Down' involving a 'Random Walk' where paired pupils practice various movements and passing the ball on command. Throughout the lesson, pupils reflect on their performance, discussing the effectiveness of different evasion techniques and considering which skills could be honed further at home.