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New
New
Year 6

Consolidate attacking and defending in mini games

I can effectively switch from attacking to defending in a game of tag rugby.

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New
New
Year 6

Consolidate attacking and defending in mini games

I can effectively switch from attacking to defending in a game of tag rugby.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: to score more tries than our opponents we have to accurately pass, move at speed and support the ball carrier.
  2. Move: when our team loses possession, we need to react quickly to be ready to defend and stop the attack.
  3. Think: reflecting on our performance ensures we understand how roles change when we are attacking and defending.
  4. Feel: always supporting our teammates to help them improve their attacking and defending skills demonstrates integrity.
  5. Connect: playing by the rules and respecting our teammates, opponents and officials, demonstrates effective leadership.

Keywords

  • Attacking - trying to score points or goals

  • Defender - the player or person responsible for preventing the opposition (attackers) from scoring

  • Game - an activity or sport in which people compete with each other according to agreed rules

Common misconception

Pupils forget previously learnt rules and skills, leading them to chase after the ball instead of maintaining positions and structure.

Remind pupils that teamwork, communication, positioning and tactics can all lead to creating better chances, conceding less tries and scoring more tries.


To help you plan your year 6 physical education lesson on: Consolidate attacking and defending in mini games, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

By differentiating ability on each team, you can encourage scaffolding and more equal matches. If necessary, team sizes can change to match the group size. If you have a spare team, they can practise core passing skills in a free area away from the pitches.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

1 ball per team, 1 set of tags per pupil, 30+ cones, bibs.

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 is a planned set of actions used by a team in a game called?
skills
teamwork
Correct answer: tactics
Q2.
How can you ensure everyone understands the team's tactics?
try hard
Correct answer: effective communication
write them down
Q3.
What should you do if a tactic doesn’t work?
Correct answer: give your best
give up
blame a teammate
Q4.
What is most important in a game?
attacking
defending
Correct answer: both equally important

4 Questions

Q1.
What do you need to do if your team loses possession of the ball?
tackle the opposition
Correct answer: switch to defending
keep attacking
Q2.
What is the name for the player whose main responsibility is to prevent the opposition scoring?
Correct Answer: defender, defenders, a defender, the defender
Q3.
What can contribute to scoring more tries in a game?
Correct answer: passing and moving
chasing the ball
passing forwards
Q4.
How can you show integrity when playing a game of Tag Rugby?
passing accurately
creating space
Correct answer: supporting your teammates