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New
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Year 3

Passing and receiving in games

I can pass and receive the ball accurately to keep possession of the ball.

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New
New
Year 3

Passing and receiving in games

I can pass and receive the ball accurately to keep possession of the ball.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: a chest pass requires pushing the ball with both hands, step into the pass and follow through extending arms.
  2. Move: when receiving the ball, track it with your eyes as the ball leaves your teammates hands getting your hands ready.
  3. Think: to keep possession of the ball, it is important to pass and receive accurately in space away from defenders.
  4. Feel: even when we make a mistake, being determined to improve our chest passing inspires others and shows integrity.
  5. Connect: it is important to respect our partners and work together to improve our throwing accuracy.

Keywords

  • Pass - transferring the ball from one player to another

  • Receive - when we gain possession of the ball from our teammate

  • Target - an object you are aiming for

Common misconception

Pupils panic when receiving the ball and throw it away quickly, especially if there is a defender close to them.

Explain that this may result in losing possession and that players have 4 seconds before they have to pass. Encourage pupils to use this time to choose the most suitable pass.


To help you plan your year 3 physical education lesson on: Passing and receiving in games, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Remind pupils that both passing and receiving the ball are equally important to ensuring a successful pass. Adding defenders is a useful adaptation, but only necessary if pupils are ready. If the explanation is chunked into 2 parts, this can be delivered during the practice task when appropriate.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

1 netball between 2 pupils, 30+ cones

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

4 Questions

Q1.
What does it mean to pass a ball?
Correct answer: transfer to teammate
catch it
intercept it
Q2.
Which sport involves passing to a teammate?
golf
tennis
Correct answer: netball
Q3.
How can we inspire others to improve?
shouting
Correct answer: being determined
being funny
Q4.
Which is an invasion game?
tennis
cricket
Correct answer: basketball

4 Questions

Q1.
Where should your hands be to show your teammate you are ready to receive the ball?
Correct answer: out in front
above your head
by your side
Q2.
How can we help teammates improve their throwing accuracy?
shout at them
ignore them
Correct answer: support them
Q3.
When chest passing, where should your fingers point towards when you push the ball?
Correct Answer: teammate, team mate, partner, target, team-mate
Q4.
How can you inspire others if you make a mistake when passing?
stop passing
Correct answer: not give up
get frustrated