Backing Up Fielders

Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed to teach Year 8 students (ages 12-13) how to effectively back up fielders in stall ball. The activities focus on developing students’ understanding of teamwork, positioning, and spatial awareness in line with the National Curriculum for Physical Education in England. The session encourages safe, competitive, and inclusive play that promotes physical and social skills.

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National Curriculum Links

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

• NC PE Programme of Study:
  • Develop competence, control and fluency in throwing, catching, striking and fielding skills (6a)
  • Play competitive games, modified where appropriate and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending (6b)
  • Understand the importance of working effectively with others when playing as part of a team (6d)
  • Describe and evaluate their own and others’ performances and suggest ways to improve (6f)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

1. Demonstrate effective backing up techniques to support fielders in stall ball.
2. Understand spatial awareness and team positioning during fielding phases.
3. Communicate effectively to improve team cohesion and reduce errors.
4. Reflect on individual and team performance to identify improvements in backing up.

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Equipment Needed

• Stall ball kit (bats, balls, stumps or cones as wickets)
• Cones for fielding zones
• Bibs or coloured vests to distinguish teams
• Whistle
• Stopwatch or timer
• Clipboards and pens (for peer-assessment)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Warm-Up (10 mins)

• Objective: Prepare physically and mentally, introduce backing up concept.
• Activity:
  • Dynamic warm-up including jogging, side shuffles, and arm circles.
  • Quick discussion: What does ‘backing up a fielder’ mean? Why is it important?
  • Use a simple demonstration with 3 pupils—fielder, batter, and back-up player. Highlight the impact of no back-up vs effective backing up.

2. Skill Development Drills (15 mins)

• Objective: Develop specific backing up movement and communication skills.
• Drill 1: Quick Reaction Backing Up
  • Setup: One fielder positioned to collect a hit ball; one or two backup players stand 5-7m behind.
  • Action: Fielder catches or retrieves the ball; backup players respond by positioning themselves ready to collect an overthrown or deflected ball.
  • Focus: Anticipation, positioning, and communication ("I've got your back!", "Cover left!").
• Drill 2: Backing Up Relay
  • Split class into teams of 5 with rotation.
  • Players pass the ball to a fielder, then sprint to a backup position designated by the teacher.
  • Reinforce fast transitions between hitting, fielding and backing positions.

3. Main Activity: Modified Stall Ball Game (25 mins)

• Objective: Apply backing up and fielding principles under game conditions.
• Setup: Divide class into two teams of 13. Use a standard stall ball pitch setup with cones marking boundaries.
• Rules focus:
  • Emphasise backing up the designated fielder(s). Players not actively fielding must support by backing up.
  • Encourage verbal and visual cues for backing up.
  • Score points not only for outs but also for effective backing up leading to successful run outs or catches.
• Teacher role: Observe and guide, give immediate feedback on backing up positions, especially if errors occur due to poor backing.

4. Cool Down & Reflection (10 mins)

• Activity:
  • Gentle jogging and static stretching focusing on arms, legs, and backs.
  • Circle discussion: What went well with backing up? What was difficult? How can your team improve?
  • Peer-assessment with clipboards: Each pupil notes one good example of backing up from a teammate and one way to improve their own.

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Assessment & Differentiation

• Assessment:

  • Continuous formative assessment during drills and game via teacher observation and peer feedback forms.
  • Use a simple rubric (positioning, communication, anticipation, teamwork) scored 1-3.
  • Teacher notes students who consistently position themselves effectively to back up.

• Differentiation:

  • Provide visual prompts (cones or marked backup zones) for students requiring support.
  • Challenge more competent pupils by rotating them into lead fielding roles where they also coordinate backing up teammates.
  • For less confident students, encourage paired work during drills and emphasise verbal communication.

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Safety Considerations

• Ensure pupils wear appropriate PE kit and footwear.
• Check the pitch for hazards before starting.
• Stress safe throwing and catching techniques to avoid injury.
• Monitor hydration especially in warmer weather.

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Extension Ideas for Future Lessons

• Introduce video analysis for self and peer evaluation focusing on backing up movements.
• Explore tactical decision-making with small group discussions on field placements to maximise backing up efficiency.
• Incorporate cross-curricular links such as maths (scoring, statistics) or geography (spatial awareness through mapping the pitch).

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This lesson plan combines National Curriculum objectives with innovative teaching strategies to deepen students’ understanding of teamwork and fielding in stall ball, with a major focus on backing up — a skill often overlooked but vital for effective play.