Fast, Fair, Fun
Curriculum Details
Learning Area: Health and Physical Education
Curriculum Level: Level 5 — Year 10
Big Idea Focus:
- Managing self to support hauora (wellbeing) and the wellbeing of others
- Movement is diverse and is integral to a healthy, active lifestyle
- People’s wellbeing is shaped by their environment and relationships
Whakataukī: He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora — Positive feelings in your heart will raise your sense of self-worth
Lesson Overview
Duration: 90 minutes
Class Size: 30 students
Focus Sport: Rippa Rugby
Key Competencies:
- Managing Self
- Relating to Others
- Participating and Contributing
- Thinking
Learning Intentions
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate safe and inclusive play in a game of Rippa Rugby
- Apply fundamental passing skills under pressure
- Communicate effectively within a team setting to enhance strategic movement
- Reflect on teamwork, sportsmanship, and emotional responses within a game-based context
Success Criteria
Students can:
✅ Use quick, accurate passes while moving
✅ Make strategic decisions based on game situations
✅ Collaborate positively with peers using clear communication
✅ Reflect respectfully during the cool-down discussion
Equipment List
- 10 Rippa belts per team (approx. 6 teams)
- 5-6 rugby balls
- Training cones to mark zones
- Whistle
- Stopwatch or timer
- Whiteboard or clipboard for team setup
Lesson Breakdown
🔴 0–5 mins: Karakia & Introduction
- Begin with a brief karakia to acknowledge the day and the activity.
- Outline intentions for today's session using student-friendly language.
- Highlight emphasis on team strategy and fair play.
🟠 5–35 mins: Big Warm-Up / Tag Games
Objectives: Get hearts pumping, reinforce safe tagging technique, and foster early teamwork.
Game 1: Ripper Chaos (10 minutes)
- All players wear rippa belts.
- In a coned-off zone, students aim to rip others’ tags while avoiding losing their own.
- Each rip is one point. If both tags are ripped, do 3 star jumps and re-enter.
- Variations: Add “safe zones” or make ripped players do a quick challenge (e.g. 10-second plank) before returning.
Game 2: Rip & Return Relay (10 minutes)
- Divide students into 6 even teams.
- One player runs with a tag belt; defenders (from other teams) try to rip.
- If tagged, runner returns to tag next in line.
- Encourage quick turns and clear calling among teammates.
Game 3: Protect the King/Queen (10 minutes)
- Each team selects a “King/Queen” to protect — others form a moving shield.
- Opponent teams try to rip the leader’s tags while managing their own defence.
- Rotate role every 2 minutes.
- Encourages communication and role awareness.
🟡 35–50 mins: Quickfire Drills (15 mins)
Focus: Short, engaging passing activities that involve decision-making.
Drill 1: Channel Passing
- Set up 4 wide narrow channels using cones.
- 5 players at a time per channel.
- Player 1 runs forward and pops pass to Player 2 angling across; continue to the end.
- Emphasize running onto the ball, short accurate passes.
Drill 2: Pressure Circle
- 1 student in middle (defender), 5 around outside.
- Pass around the circle quickly while the defender tries to intercept.
- No overhead passes — waist-level or below only.
- Rotate roles frequently.
🎯 Extension: Challenge stronger students to call tactical moves or run overlapping passes while performing drill.
🟢 50–80 mins: Modified Rippa Game (30 mins)
Game Format: 6-team rotation across three mini fields (half-size)
Games run for 8 minutes with 2-minute rotation/rest intervals.
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Rules Modifications:
- Try zone is widened to encourage attacking play.
- No kicking allowed — focus purely on passing and positioning.
- Each team must complete three passes before scoring.
- One point for a try, bonus point for try involving all teammates in a possession.
- Positive communication earns bonus “fair play” tokens collected after matches.
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Teacher Role:
- Circulate to encourage fair play, identify leadership moments, and provide feedback.
- Facilitate quick huddles between rounds for team self-review.
🧠 Advanced learners can act as “strategic captains” — designing formations or calling mini plays during attack.
🔵 80–90 mins: Cool-Down & Reflective Discussion
Cool-Down Routine (5 minutes):
- Students jog a slow lap around the field while reflecting silently.
- Group stretching: arm crosses, shoulder rolls, hamstring stretch, quads, deep breaths.
Discussion Prompts (5 minutes):
Circle students and ask:
- “What made a team work well today?”
- “Who showed great communication, and why did it matter?”
- “How did it feel when your strategy worked or didn’t?”
- Use ‘hand in - hand out’ for those who want to share, encouraging participation without pressure.
Celebrate positive behaviours and sportsmanship witnessed during play. Revisit the whakataukī and link it to the mood and energy of the group.
Extension Options
🏆 Leadership Journal (Out of Class Challenge):
Students write about their experience leading or communicating in teams and how it impacted performance or wellbeing.
🎭 Team Role Play:
Students design their own warm-up game and facilitate it next lesson, incorporating strategic elements and team roles.
📊 Strategy Mapping:
Use a whiteboard to draw possible movement paths or passing patterns — encourage students to design their own strategies to test in upcoming sessions.
Assessment for Learning
- Formative Observation: Throughout games, watch for communication behaviours, inclusion, and strategic movement.
- Self-Reflection Exit Slip (Teacher-created):
- “What did I learn about teamwork today?”
- “One skill I improved was…”
- “Next time I want to work on…”
Notes for Kaiako
- Consider student voice in each session: Allow students to suggest rule changes or strategies.
- Mātauranga Māori Connection: Acknowledge how collective effort reflects whanaungatanga (relationship building) and kotahitanga (unity).
- Blend te reo Māori into commands and instructions (e.g., “Whakarongo!”, “Tīmata!”, “Mutu!”)
Final Thoughts
This lesson blends movement, hauora, critical thinking and leadership — grounded in the values of inclusivity, fairness, and whānau. Let students own their learning through play — where the best strategies are shared smiles and sharpened instincts.