Lesson 6 · Week 3 · Grades 3-5 · 40 min
Defend
Staying with a player and guarding space
Cue words
Three words the class hears all lesson. They appear huge on the gym screen.
Lesson flow
Gold parts play video. 37 minutes of teaching plus time for transitions.
Play-along: defensive shuffles, backpedal, and turn-and-run with Coach Cam.
Coach Cam shows staying low, mirroring a receiver, and pulling the flag on the catch.
Mirror Drill (5 min): defender mirrors the receiver for 10 seconds. Then guarding a cone or space (5 min).
Shadow Defense: defenders mirror a receiver for 5 seconds, then the passer throws and the defender tries to pull the flag on the catch.
Question 1: 'Where do a defender's eyes go?' Question 2: 'Is it better to guard a player or a space? When?' Shout-out a great defender. Cool-down.
Setup
Pairs in grids of about 8 by 8 steps. One receiver, one defender per grid.
Equipment
- 2 flags per student: flag belts, or scarves, pinnies or bandanas tucked into the waistband
- 1 soft ball per 2 students (foam football, playground ball or any soft ball)
- 4 cones or tape marks for the boundary
Safety
- Hands touch flags only. No grabbing shirts, arms or other players.
- No diving and no sliding.
- Everyone freezes on the whistle.
Every student included
- Students using wheelchairs wear flags on the armrests or shoulders. Others approach from the side, never from behind the chair.
- Pair a student who needs support with a peer buddy who moves alongside.
- Use a raised hand as well as the whistle for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Offer a quieter corner zone with 3 or 4 players for students who find crowds overwhelming.
Make it easier
- Receiver walks
- Bigger grids
- No pass, just mirror
Make it harder
- Two receivers, one defender
- Smaller grids
- Defender must also bat the ball down
South Carolina standards
Indicator codes are added once checked against the 2021 South Carolina standards document.
- Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
- Standard 2: Demonstrates knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics related to movement and performance.
- Standard 4: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.
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