Advanced Sporting Skills

Overview

This 60-minute practical and theory session targets Year 12 A-Level students studying Level 3 Sport within the Curriculum for Wales framework. The lesson blends applied physical activity with underpinning theory around performance enhancement and strategic application, promoting higher-order thinking and physical competency.

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Curriculum Alignment

• Area of Learning and Experience: Health & Well-being

• Curriculum for Wales Reference:

  • WAL-EW-B2-04: Participate in complex physical activities, demonstrating advanced skills and tactical awareness.
  • WAL-HWB-B2-07: Analyse and apply strategies to optimise personal and team performance.
  • WAL-HWB-C2-10: Critically evaluate health, fitness, and lifestyle factors that affect sporting performance.

• Key Cross-Curricular Skill:

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• Skills Development:

  • Physical literacy (advanced skill execution)
  • Analytical thinking (strategy and performance appraisal)
  • Communication (team discussions and peer feedback)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced technical skills and tactical awareness in a complex sport-specific activity (AC 1).
2. Analyse performance by identifying strengths and areas for improvement using video and peer/teacher feedback (AC 2).
3. Apply tactical decision-making during game play to influence outcomes effectively (AC 3).
4. Critically reflect on personal performance and set SMART targets aligned with Welsh health and well-being aspirations (AC 4).

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Resources Required

• Standard sports equipment related to the chosen sport (e.g., netball, basketball, football)
• Video recording device or tablet for performance review
• Whiteboard and markers
• Performance analysis checklists
• Stopwatch/timers
• Space to allow small-group tactical drills and game play

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Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Details & Justification
0-10 mins	Warm-Up & Introduction	Dynamic warm-up tailored to chosen sport (e.g., ladders, quick feet drills). Teacher explains lesson focus: integrating skill execution with tactical thinking. Reference to Curriculum Wales aim to promote health, well-being, and complex physical performance.
10-25 mins	Technical Skill Development - Precision & Agility	Small group drills focusing on advanced technical skills (e.g., precision passing, shooting accuracy) with increasing complexity. Peer-supported feedback encouraged to reinforce self-regulation and personal responsibility per Curriculum for Wales wellbeing goals.
25-40 mins	Tactical Game Play and Decision-Making	Small-sided games emphasizing tactical decision-making. Teacher pauses game at key moments for questioning ("What would you do here?", "How does this affect your team strategy?"). Develops critical thinking, tactical awareness, and team communication.
40-50 mins	Video Analysis & Peer Feedback	Students review clips of their performance with guidance. Identify individual/team strengths and weaknesses using an analysis checklist. Connects health & well-being knowledge to practical performance evaluation, fostering Welsh Curriculum competency in critical evaluation.
50-60 mins	Reflection & SMART Goal Setting	Guided reflection using prompts respecting Welsh schools’ focus on personal development and well-being. Students individually set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets for improvement, linking to personal health and well-being goals.

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Assessment

• Formative Assessment:

  • Observation of skill demonstration and tactical awareness during drills and game play (teacher uses a rubric aligned with Level 3 sport standards).
  • Peer feedback sessions monitored to ensure constructive and accurate analysis.
  • Analysis of video clips to demonstrate critical reflection.

• Summative Assessment (optional extension):

  • Written evaluation (approx. 300 words) of own performance including tactical decisions and next steps for improvement, linked explicitly to Curriculum for Wales Competencies and Cross-Curricular Skills.

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Differentiation & Inclusion

• For less confident learners: Provide skill breakdowns and additional repetition before full tactical game integration. Use peer-mentoring to scaffold learning.
• For advanced learners: Challenge with leadership roles such as game captaincy, tactical briefing, or creating drills.
• SEN considerations: Offer equipment adaptations or quieter spaces for reflection if needed. Use visual aids to support understanding of tactical concepts.

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Teacher Reflection

After lesson delivery, reflect on:

• Engagement levels during technical and tactical tasks.
• Effectiveness of video feedback in supporting learning.
• Appropriateness of formative assessments in gauging student progress.
• Adjustments for future lessons to balance theory and physical activity.

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This lesson plan supports the Curriculum for Wales aspiration of developing independent, critically aware learners who demonstrate physical competence, strategic thinking, and personal responsibility towards health and well-being through sport.