Shooting Basics

Overview

In this 60-minute lesson for Years 0-2 students, learners will be introduced to the foundational skills of shooting a soccer ball. The lesson focuses on developing effective shooting techniques, understanding different types of shots (instep and volley), and practising accuracy over various distances.

This lesson is Lesson 4 in the unit "Kicking Towards Success in Soccer" tailored for young learners in New Zealand.

Curriculum Alignment

New Zealand Curriculum: Health and Physical Education (HPE)

• Achievement Objective: Movement Concepts and Motor Skills
  • Year 1-2: Select and use appropriate skills, simple tactics, and strategies to successfully carry out movement activities in different settings.
  • Develop fundamental movement skills including running, jumping, throwing, and kicking to participate confidently in physical activities.
• Key Competencies:
  • Managing self: Students manage their behaviour and demonstrate confidence and persistence while learning new motor skills.
  • Participating and contributing: Students work together in groups during activities, encouraging positive relationships.
• Values:
  • Excellence – Students strive to improve their skill and technique.
  • Innovation – Trying new ways to control and shoot the ball.

Learning Objectives (WALT)

• We Are Learning To (WALT):
  • Understand and practise effective shooting techniques in soccer.
  • Identify and attempt different types of shots such as instep and volley shots.
  • Aim and shoot on target from different distances, adjusting technique as needed.

Success Criteria

Students will be successful when they:

• Use the correct part of the foot (instep) and demonstrate balance when shooting.
• Attempt volley shots with support and coordination.
• Shoot the ball and score on target from various distances, showing control and accuracy.
• Can modify their shot distance as needed (e.g., shooting closer if required).

Resources Needed

• Size 3 or 4 soccer balls (appropriate for age)
• Cones for marking shooting distances
• Portable goals or target markers (e.g., gates made from cones)
• Bibs or vests for grouping
• Whistle for signalling transitions

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Lesson Outline (60 Minutes)

1. Warm-up and Review (10 minutes)

• Activity: Fun chase and tag game combined with gentle jogging around the field.
• Purpose: Activate muscles, develop coordination, and recall previous skills from lessons 1-3 in the unit, especially basic kicking and ball control.
• Teacher Prompt: "Remember how we kick the ball with the inside of our foot? Now, we're going to learn how to shoot stronger and more accurately."

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2. Introduction to Shooting Techniques (10 minutes)

• Teacher Explanation & Demonstration:
  • Show how to shoot using the instep (top part of the foot)
  • Introduce the volley shot – kicking the ball before it touches the ground
  • Model body posture — standing foot beside the ball, eyes on the ball, follow-through
• Student Engagement:
  • Group students in pairs and have them mimic shooting action without a ball, focusing on posture and foot placement.
• Safety Notes: Emphasise keeping heads up, watching for others when shooting.

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3. Guided Shooting Practice (20 minutes)

• Setup:
  • Use cones to create shooting zones at 3, 5, and 7 metres from goal/target area (adjust for ability).
• Activities:
  • Students take turns shooting at targets from marked zones.
  • Provide soft balls for volley attempts (teacher or assistant tosses ball gently upward).
  • Use positive feedback focusing on technique and aiming.
• Differentiation:
  • For students needing more support, allow shots from closer distances and encourage use of instep technique.
  • For advanced students, introduce shooting from longer distances or after a short run.
• Teacher Observations: Note student foot position, body balance, and attempt to score on target.

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4. Small-Sided Shooting Game (15 minutes)

• Setup: Divide class into 4 groups of 5 students; small-sided games where the focus is on shooting rather than gameplay competition.
• Rules:
  • Each group takes turns shooting towards mini goals or cone targets.
  • Encourage cooperative cheering and sharing tips.
• Extension: Challenge advanced students to score from the longest shooting zones or practice volley shots during game play.

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5. Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Gentle stretching and deep breathing exercises.
• Group circle discussion:
  • Ask: "What new shooting skills did you learn today?"
  • "How did you make sure your shot was on target?"
• Encourage students to self-assess using success criteria, with teacher guiding:
  • "Did you shoot with your instep?"
  • "Did you try a volley shot?"
  • "How did you feel about your shooting accuracy?"

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Differentiation Strategies

• For diverse learners:

  • Allow closer shooting distances for those with developing motor skills.
  • Use visual cues and simple language with demonstration for students requiring additional support.
  • Provide extra one-on-one guidance during practice.

• For extension learners:

  • Introduce shooting on the move.
  • Encourage trying shots with non-dominant foot.
  • Include scoring challenges from longer distances and volley shots under pressure.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Use formative assessment by observing students during shooting practice and small-sided game: check foot placement, aim, balance, and follow-through.
• Provide immediate verbal feedback and encouragement to reinforce correct technique and perseverance.
• Ask students to verbalise one thing they did well and one goal for improvement next time — supports self-monitoring as described in the curriculum.

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Reflection and Next Steps

• Highlight progress aligned with the learning objective and key competencies.
• Plan to revisit shooting techniques in future lessons to build on accuracy and decision-making under game conditions.
• Potential integration with other learning areas such as mathematics for measuring distances or English for describing actions.

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This lesson plan meets the New Zealand Curriculum’s outcomes for physical competence, managing self, and participating and contributing in Years 0-2, with age-appropriate skill development in soccer shooting fundamentals, adaptable for different learner needs .