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New
New
Year 6

Defending as a team

I can understand and apply defensive tactics in a game situation to prevent attacking opportunities for my opponents.

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New
New
Year 6

Defending as a team

I can understand and apply defensive tactics in a game situation to prevent attacking opportunities for my opponents.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: tagging opponents successfully requires using both hands, focussing on the hips and staying low when approaching.
  2. Move: when we are close to the ball carrier, we apply pressure by moving towards them quickly.
  3. Think: when defending, ensuring everyone's in position ready to apply pressure, needs concentration and decision making.
  4. Feel: taking responsibility to officiate our games, to ensure that everyone plays by the rules, demonstrates integrity.
  5. Connect: it is important to play respectfully to make sure everyone is motivated and happy when playing the game.

Keywords

  • Tag - a "tag" is the act of removing a tag or ribbon that is attached to the ball carrier's belt in tag rugby

  • Carrier - the player who is currently in possession of the ball

  • Marked - closely guarding our opponent to prevent them from receiving the ball or from passing the ball to others

Common misconception

Pupils often believe they can use physical contact to tackle or push their opponent.

Remind pupils that tag rugby is a non-contact sport and pupils can only tag their opponents or intercept a pass.


To help you plan your year 6 physical education lesson on: Defending as a team, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils not to stop when they are tagged and to quickly look to pass the ball and keep the game flowing. Remind defenders to be ready for these quick transitions.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

1 rugby ball between 2, 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.
How can you show respect in a game?
accurate passing
catching the ball
Correct answer: obeying the rules
Q2.
Which option is best for supporting the ball carrier?
Correct answer: staying close
staying far away
running in front
Q3.
What happens if you pass forward in tag rugby?
You win.
Correct answer: You lose possession.
Nothing happens.
Q4.
What do you do if you are tagged in tag rugby?
run on
Correct answer: stop and pass
nothing

4 Questions

Q1.
How can you ensure all your opponents are marked when defending?
Correct answer: good concentration
good tagging
applying pressure
Q2.
What type of sport is tag rugby?
contact
Correct answer: non-contact
limited contact
Q3.
What’s the most effective position to approach an attacker when trying to tag them?
up tall
sideways on
Correct answer: low
Q4.
What word is used for the player in possession of the ball?
Correct Answer: carrier, the carrier, ball carrier, the ball carrier