KS3 · Physical education · Year 8
Positioning and creating options in attack
Invasion games: tactics and strategies to outwit opponents through football
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can penetrate the defence and create space through dispersal.
1 of 10
Positioning and creating options in attack: 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 penetrate the defence and create space through dispersal.
Key learning points
- Move: shooting with the instep (laces) or outside of the foot applies more speed and power.
- Move: leaning slightly back and striking the bottom of the ball creates lift for a lofted pass or shot.
- Think: long distance passes help us to increase attacking options by making full use of pitch width and depth.
- Feel: getting into space and calling/showing for the ball requires confidence.
- Connect: being vocal but not overly dominant or arrogant helps team morale.
Words to know
- penetration
- exploiting spaces between and behind the defenders both with and without the ball
- dispersal
- the act of spreading something around to create space using both width and depth
- lofted pass
- striking underneath the ball whilst leaning back to get it to travel up in the air rather than along the ground
Common mistakes
Pupils often find passing over distance much harder and try to kick the ball too hard. Often pupils are too close together so no one is in a wide position to aim for.
Encourage pupils to slowly increase the distance at which they pass so they maintain control and accuracy. Pupils should be encouraged to adopt wide positions when attacking, stretching defenders to create space.
For parents, carers and teachers
- As the unit progresses, some pupils may struggle with complex skills and you may have some accomplished footballers. Be aware of pupils becoming disengaged either due to boredom (not being challenged) or frustration (being challenged too much). Always have options to address this issue.