Games and Teamwork — Year 2 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: PE KS1 — participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending; play competitively and cooperatively
Overview
Pupils take part in simple cooperative and competitive games, developing an understanding of rules, fairness, and teamwork. They learn to communicate with teammates, make decisions under pressure, and manage winning and losing graciously.
Learning Objectives
- Follow the rules of simple team games and understand why rules make games fair.
- Communicate with teammates — calling for the ball, giving encouragement, and making decisions together.
- Move into space to help their team and avoid opponents in basic invasion games.
- Show respect for opponents and accept the result of a game with good sportsmanship.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Chain tag: one person starts as 'it'; when they tag someone they join hands and become a chain. The chain can only tag with their free hands. Develops spatial awareness and decision-making under light pressure. Debrief: how did the chain have to work together? What decisions did you need to make?
Passing practice in pairs: choose between a ball, beanbag, or foam javelin. Practise receiving (give a clear target with your hands) and passing accurately (eye contact, call your partner's name before passing). Progress to three-player passing: passer, receiver, defender who tries to intercept. How does having a defender change your decisions?
Keepaway circle: one team tries to make 5 consecutive passes while the other team tries to intercept. No physical contact. Rotate roles every two minutes. Focus: moving into space, using communication.
Mini invasion game (simplified netball or basketball): two teams, cannot move with the ball, must pass to progress, score by reaching the end zone. Apply no-contact rule and a 5-second holding rule to encourage quick decision-making.
Gentle cool-down stretches. Circle discussion: what made your team work well? What was difficult? What would you do differently? Introduce sportsmanship: why is it important to be gracious in both winning and losing?
Common Misconceptions
- The best player should have the ball most of the time — reinforce that spreading the ball and using all teammates is more effective than individuals hoarding possession.
- Defending means chasing the ball — teach positional defending: marking a player rather than only tracking the ball.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Year 1 PE: fundamental movement skills — throwing, catching, running.
- Experience of simple rule-based games in EYFS and Year 1.
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