Ball Control Basics

Lesson Overview

This lesson is part of the Football Fundamentals Fun unit and focuses on developing dribbling and ball control skills in a fun and engaging way. Students will explore different ways to manoeuvre the ball using various parts of their feet while incorporating teamwork and coordination.

Curriculum Area & Level

• Subject: Physical Education
• Level: New Zealand Curriculum Level 3 (aligned to Year 6 students)
• Relevant Big Idea: Movement skills support participation and enhance physical opportunities for all learners
• Key Competencies: Participating and contributing, Thinking, Using language, symbols, and texts, Managing self

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
✅ Control a football using the inside, outside, and sole of their feet
✅ Keep control of the ball while moving at different speeds and directions
✅ Demonstrate spatial awareness when dribbling around obstacles or peers
✅ Work collaboratively with others during activities

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Lesson Breakdown (30 minutes total)

1. Warm-Up: “Mirror Dribble” (5 minutes)

• Objective: Get students comfortable moving with the ball.
• Instructions:
  • Partner students up. Each pair has one football.
  • One student leads while the other mirrors their dribbling actions. Encourage changes in speed and direction.
  • Swap roles after 2.5 minutes.
• Dyslexia-Friendly Tips:
  • Keep instructions short and clear.
  • Model the activity before starting—demonstrate with a student.
  • Use visual cues (e.g. hand signals) for changes in movement.

2. Skill Introduction: Dribbling Techniques (5 minutes)

• Objective: Teach students how to control the ball using different parts of the foot.
• Demonstration & Explanation:
  • Inside of the foot → good for short, controlled movements
  • Outside of the foot → helps with quick direction changes
  • Sole of the foot → used for stopping the ball
• Dyslexia-Friendly Tips:
  • Use coloured cones for directional guidance.
  • Break down movements into simple steps.
  • Repeat key instructions: "Tap, tap, roll!"

3. Activity 1: “Traffic Jam Dribble” (8 minutes)

• Objective: Improve ball control in a busy space.
• Instructions:
  • Each student has a ball and must dribble around a coned-off area while avoiding collisions.
  • Teacher calls out instructions:
    • “Fast feet!” → move quickly
    • “Freeze!” → stop with sole of the foot
    • “Turn!” → use the outside of the foot to change direction
• Dyslexia-Friendly Tips:
  • Use sound cues alongside verbal instructions (e.g. clap once for “Freeze”, clap twice for “Turn”).
  • Encourage peer demonstrations to reinforce skills.

4. Activity 2: "Dribble & Pass Race" (8 minutes)

• Objective: Develop ball control under slight pressure.
• Instructions:
  • Split class into teams of 4-5.
  • Each team stands in a relay-style formation.
  • First player dribbles around a cone, then passes carefully to the next player.
  • First team to complete the relay wins!
• Dyslexia-Friendly Tips:
  • Provide visual markers for dribbling paths.
  • Use buddy support for struggling students.
  • Allow teams to practice first before racing.

5. Cool-Down: “Slow-Mo Skills” (4 minutes)

• Objective: Reinforce technique while bringing energy levels down.
• Instructions:
  • Students dribble in super slow motion, focusing on their touches.
  • Teacher asks guiding questions:
    • "Which part of your foot felt most natural for dribbling?"
    • "How did you control speed and direction?"
• Dyslexia-Friendly Tips:
  • Incorporate physical gestures into the review questions (e.g. tapping foot for "inside touch").

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Adaptations for Dyslexic Learners

✔ Visual learning focus → Demonstrate every new skill instead of explaining too much.
✔ Coloured cones to help with direction (e.g. blue cone = stop, red cone = change direction).
✔ Chunking activities → Break everything into simple steps.
✔ Encourage movement-based learning instead of written reflections.
✔ Positive reinforcement → Celebrate effort, not just skill execution!

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Assessment & Reflection

• 🏆 Informal teacher observation: Are students controlling and stopping the ball efficiently?
• ✅ Self-check: Can students name at least two dribbling techniques they used today?
• 🔄 Peer reflection: In pairs, students share one thing they improved on in today's lesson.

Next Lesson Preview

👉 Lesson 3 will focus on introducing controlled passing to develop teamwork and gameplay strategies!

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Teacher Notes

Key Focus Today: "Repetition, Engagement, and Adaptation" – keep instructions clear, practice in small bursts, and praise effort.

This lesson aims to build confidence and develop muscle memory before moving into more complex football skills in later lessons.

🎉 Great job, teachers – now, get dribbling! 🚀

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Final Thought for Teachers:

"The best lessons aren’t the ones where students do everything perfectly, but the ones where they enjoy learning and want to keep going." 💡