Year 8 PE & Health Lesson Plan: The Mechanics of Playing Soccer

Lesson Details

Subject: Physical Education & Health
Year Level: Year 8
Duration: 50 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Location: School sports field or gymnasium
Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education
Strand: Movement Concepts and Motor Skills
Level: Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum
Learning Objective: To understand and apply the basic mechanics of playing soccer including dribbling, passing, and shooting.
Materials Needed: Soccer balls, cones for drills, bibs for team distinction, goalposts

Lesson Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teacher's Activity: Greet students and briefly discuss the objectives of today's lesson. Emphasize the focus on learning key soccer skills and understanding their application in a game setting.
• Students' Activity: Students gather in the designated area, ready to listen and engage.

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

• Activity: Dynamic stretching and light jogging around the soccer field.
• Purpose: To prepare physically and mentally for the lesson, preventing injuries.
• Instructions:
  1. Start with head-to-toe dynamic stretches (neck rolls, arm circles, side bends, leg swings, lunges).
  2. Follow up with 3 laps of light jogging around the field.

Skill Development (20 minutes)

Dribbling (7 minutes)

• Objective: Improve close ball control while moving.
• Drill: Cone Dribbling Course.
• Instructions:
  1. Set up a line of cones, each about 2 meters apart.
  2. Students must dribble the ball through the cones using both feet, focusing on control and gentle touches.
  3. Each student takes turns; others observe and wait in line.

Passing (7 minutes)

• Objective: Develop accuracy in passing to a partner.
• Drill: Pair Passing Drill.
• Instructions:
  1. Students pair up and stand approximately 10 meters apart.
  2. Using the inside of their foot, they pass the ball back and forth aiming to keep the ball on the ground and accurate.
  3. Encourage communication between passes ("yours," "mine").

Shooting (6 minutes)

• Objective: Practice shooting towards a target under pressure.
• Drill: Goal Shooting Drill.
• Instructions:
  1. Set up a small goal using cones if a goalpost isn’t available.
  2. Students line up, take turns shooting from a set distance.
  3. Focus on technique: non-kicking foot placement, striking foot follows through towards the target.

Game Play and Application (10 minutes)

• Activity: Mini Soccer Game.
• Instructions:
  1. Divide the students into two teams using bibs.
  2. Play a small-scale game, emphasizing the application of the skills practiced.
  3. Encourage sportsmanship and team strategy.

Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Activity: Light jogging and static stretching.
• Reflection Discussion:
  • What did we learn today about controlling the soccer ball?
  • How can these skills be used in a real game?
  • Any challenges faced during the drills?

Assessment and Feedback

• During the Lesson: Observe students’ ability to apply skills in drills and game scenarios.
• End of Lesson Feedback: Provide individual and group feedback, focusing on improvements and areas to practice.

Additional Resources

• New Zealand Curriculum Online - Health and Physical Education

By focusing on the mechanics of soccer, this lesson plan aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum at Level 4, enhancing students' ability to express themselves through physical activity while learning important social skills and sportsmanship.