KS3 · Physical education · Year 9
Defending by denying space and time
Invasion games: adapt tactics and strategies in contact sports
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can deny space and time by defending as a unit.
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Defending by denying space and time: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can deny space and time by defending as a unit.
Key learning points
- Move: the defensive team points out and marks a player each by standing in line with them.
- Move: moving side-to-side and staying close forces attackers into tight spaces for easier tackling.
- Think: if the attacking team has more players on one side, then additional defenders need calling over.
- Feel: trust your teammates to cover and support you, giving confidence to tackle hard and defend together.
- Connect: strong leadership and clear communication is needed to align defensive players with the formation of attackers.
Words to know
- player-to-player
- each defender closely follows one attacker to block their movement and deny space
- communication
- sharing clear information with teammates through talking, signals or gestures to work better as a team
- tight space
- a small area with limited room to move, often surrounded by defenders, making it hard for attackers to advance
Common mistakes
Pupils think that when you are player-to -player marking it is only about being an individual.
Defenders must communicate, adjust to overloads and support each other. If one defender gets beaten, others need to be ready to help. Marking your player is just one part of working together to stop the attack.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Contact versions of the game should only be managed by suitably experienced and qualified staff (inc. concussion training). There is the option to spend more time on any of these topics as appropriate in the context of your learners.