Developing Movement Strategies

Curriculum Information

• Subject: Physical Education
• Year Level: 11 (NCEA Level 1)
• Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education
• Strand: Movement Concepts and Motor Skills
• Achievement Objective: Applying movement strategies in touch rugby by refining offensive and defensive tactics, specifically using the 32 Peel attacking play.

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Lesson Overview

Lesson Title: Applying Movement Strategies in Touch Rugby

Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 15 students
Learning Focus:

• Understanding and executing the 32 Peel attacking strategy.
• Improving defensive positioning and teamwork in touch rugby.
• Applying strategic thinking in an applied game context.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Objective: Prepare students physically and mentally for the lesson’s activities.

Dynamic Warm-Up Routine (5 mins)

Students jog in a line performing dynamic stretches across the field, focusing on mobility required in touch rugby:

• High knees
• Butt kicks
• Arm circles
• Lunges with torso rotation
• Lateral shuffles

Ball Familiarisation Activity – "Hot Hands" Drill (5 mins)

Pair students up, one with a rugby ball. They complete rapid passing for 30-second intervals using different techniques:

1. Two-handed pass
2. Quick offloads
3. Dummy passes

Encourage students to increase speed and accuracy with each rotation.

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2. Introducing the 32 Peel Play (15 minutes)

Objective: Understand movement roles within the 32 Peel and execute the play.

Explanation & Whiteboard Demonstration (5 mins)

• Show a simple whiteboard diagram of the 32 Peel play.
• Explain the roles:
  1. Middle 1 – Draws opposing middle towards the link.
  2. Link – Picks up the ball and passes to the other middle.
  3. Middle 2 – Runs down the lane, setting up attacking options.
  4. Link Sweeper – Circles around, creating scoring opportunities.

Walk-Through in Groups of Five (10 mins)

• Line students up in groups of five (two middles, one link, two defenders).
• Walk through the 32 Peel slowly, repeating three times before rotating roles.
• Provide individual feedback and reinforce key movement points.

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3. Defensive Strategies (15 minutes)

Objective: Improve defensive positioning and communication to counter attacking plays like the 32 Peel.

"Press & Hold" Defensive Drill (7 mins)

• Divide students into groups of five (three attackers, two defenders).
• Defenders practice pressing up and delaying their movement to recognise the setup of a 32 Peel.
• Attackers attempt to execute a 32 Peel, while defenders focus on maintaining a strong line.
• Rotate roles every two minutes and provide feedback.

Game-Situated Defence Practice (8 mins)

• Small-sided 5v5 games focusing only on defensive shape and communication.
• Attackers try using the 32 Peel, while defenders work to recognise and counter it.
• Brief pause-feedback-play cycles after each attempt for analysis.

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4. Mini-Game & Strategy Application (15 minutes)

Objective: Apply both attacking and defensive strategies in a real game context.

Modified 7v7 Touch Rugby with Coaching Interventions

• Students play a 7-minute half-field game focusing on integrating the 32 Peel.
• On attack, players are encouraged to call for the Peel play setup.
• On defence, teams call their defensive shifts.
• Stop-play moments: Coach pauses the game briefly to highlight good execution or missteps.
• After the first game round, switch teams and repeat.

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Assessment & Reflection (5 minutes)

Peer Feedback Huddles

• Pair Share (2 mins): Each player reflects with a peer on

  • One thing they did well offensively or defensively.
  • One thing they need to improve.

• Whole-Class Discussion (3 mins):

  • What made the 32 Peel challenging or easy to execute?
  • What defensive strategy worked best?
  • How can these learnings translate to a full competitive game scenario?

Exit Challenge:

• “Before next lesson, watch a YouTube clip of a 32 Peel, and come ready to share an observation.”

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Key Teaching Strategies

• Progressive Skill Development: Build confidence by scaffolding from walkthrough to game-play
• Active Feedback Loops: Providing individual coaching moments in small groups
• Tactical Game Understanding: Using real-time strategy application instead of just drill-based learning
• Encouraging Peer Learning: Students analysing each other's execution improves learning retention

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Teacher’s Final Notes

This lesson aligns with New Zealand’s PE curriculum outcomes under movement strategies and tactical decision-making in Level 6 of the NZC. By integrating practical application with structured team play, students will gain confidence in linking cognitive game understanding with physical touch rugby execution.