BLOCK PLAN - FOOTBALL UNIT
The block plan is an outline of a potential progression for the unit.
Links on block plan go to task/game sheets.
The task/game sheets contain teaching points, organization pointers, diagrams and images/video clips.
Lesson 1
Tactical Problem
Lesson focus:
Introduction to Passing and Moving
to open space to receive
Skill Objectives:
Introduce grip, and technique of
throwing a spiral. Acquire proper form
in receiving a football from a pass.
Introductory Games
Knee Slapping
- Students line up along endline, numbered 1 or 2. Number 2 steps out and faces partner. Object of game is to touch the back of their partners knee while protecting their own.
- switch partners - 1s move one spot to left
British Bulldog
- One game. Begin with 2 bulldogs - whose birthday is in May? - to select bulldogs.
- Grid size approx. 1/3 of soccer field.
Aim: Run from one end to the other without getting tagged.
Rules: Bulldogs start at half, runners start on endline. When tagged you become a bulldog as well - tagging others. Must stay inside boundaries.
Skill/Concept Development Tasks/Games
- Note - an uninstructed attempt at passing and receiving the football
Aim: Move to the open cone to receive a pass from a stationary thrower.
- Three players to a group, each is on a cone, one cone remains open.
Skill Refining
Passing and Receiving
CUES: Throwing
- step with non-throwing leg
- elbow high, like a baseball throw
Receiving
- get body in front of ball
- hands out in front of body - cradle
- Groups of 4. Two lines of 2 facing eachother approx. 5-10 yards apart
- pass from one line to other then go to back of other line. Repeat.
- Simplifying - begin down on one knee with non-throwing leg in front.
- Extending - step back to require longer throw and simulate QB creating space.
Culminating Games:
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Lesson 3
Tactical Problem
Lesson Focus:
Marking and Guarding in order to
prevent offensive team from invading.
Skill Objectives:
Footwork, positioning and correct,
effective defensive movements
Introductory Games
Follow the Leader
- In partners, 1s walk to space trying to lose their partner. 2s try to stay directly behind their partner the whole time. When whistle blows all students stop, can the follower reach the leader?
Progressions: Walk -> Jog -> Run
Mirror
- In partners. 2 cones set up 5 yards apart for each set of partners
- 2s try to mirror their partner while 1s try to touch the cone before their partners do.
Skill/Concept Development Tasks/Games
Aim: To prevent invader from invading territory (end zone) marked by cones. To develop evasion skills and avoid being caught (having flag pulled).
Rules: Must get through all 3 end zones without getting flag pulled to get 6 points.
Defenders are awarded 3 points for each flag pulled. If defender pulls flag place it outside of grid for offender to pick up on way back to line.
Progression:
First person in line is receiver. Second has ball. Receiver goes out to defender and makes a cut, receives ball, turns and runs at defender trying to get past them into the end zone.
Culminating Game
- 3 games. 8 players in each.
- Grid size approx 1/4 of soccer field.
Aim: To run football over end line to score a touch down, and to defend team from invading your end line by pulling flag as soon as they have caught the ball.
Rules: Whoever wins the coin toss will start with the ball from their own 5 yard line and will have 3 plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield it has another 3 plays to score a touchdown or else the other team takes over possession from its own five yard line.
Pull the flag on opponents hip to cause a stoppage of play.
Cannot protect flag with hand, flag must be hanging from hip almost to knee
Lesson 2
Tactical Problem
Passing and Creating Space to Score
Lesson focus:
Introduction to Coordinated Runs/Cuts
to create space to receive
Skill Objectives:
Gain the ability to utilize various Cuts.
Learn effective communication and
coordination with QB to receive pass.
Introductory Game
Flag Tag
- 2 games of 6 vs 6.
- Grid size approx 1/3 of soccer field.
Aim: Take flag from opposing team’s hip and run flag back to own teams hula hoop.
Rules: Flag must be attached on side of hip and hang almost to knee. Cannot block others from getting flag with your hands.
Take captured flag back to your own hula hoop. If your flag is captured, retrieve new one from your teams hula hoop.
Progressions: Begin with large area, make smaller and smaller.
Skill/Concept Development Tasks/Games
- Groups of 3. One football per group
Aim: under instruction from QB make
correct run to receive pass on the move.
Progressions:
- 3rd member of group becomes defender. QB and receiver discuss ‘route’ and try to complete pass.
- Increase distance between cones
Culminating Game:
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Lesson 4
Tactical Problem
Lesson Focus:
Offensive communication, and coordination of players running multiple cuts in order to advance, maintain possession and score.
Introductory Games
Capture the Football
- 2 teams. Pinneys vs shirts.
- Grid size approx. 1/3 of soccer field.
Aim: capture the flag (a football). Invade the other teams territory and run ball back to your own end.
Rules: when tagged in enemy territory you go to ‘jail’ (corner - one foot in hula hoop).
May only retrieve one football at a time, if tagged with football, it is returned and you go to jail.
Untagged person is safe with one foot in jail or flags area (also a hula hoop).
Untagged person can free one person from jail by tagging them.
Skill/Concept Development Tasks/Games
Aim: For the 4 QBs to pass the football around until they see an opportunity to throw the football to the receiver in the middle. As the receiver - to find an open area away from a defender in order to catch a pass.
Culminating Game
4 vs 4 Flag Football
Aim: To advance football over end line to score a touchdown - which is worth 7 pts. and to prevent the opposing team from scoring by pulling flags as soon as they have caught the football.
Rules: Team has 4 downs to score.
Loss of possession results if team unsuccessful.
Pull flag of opponent with the ball to cause a stoppage of play and loss of 1 ‘down’.
May not guard your flag with your hands
Flag must hang from hip, almost to knee.
Progression: Play 3 (10-12 minute) games and every new game, each team must designate a new quarterback.
