Kicking Off with Fun

Lesson Overview

Subject: Physical Education (PE)
Year Group: Reception (EYFS)
Unit: Fun Football Fundamentals (Lesson 1 of 8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 20 students
Curriculum Area: Aligned with the EYFS Physical Development framework and Early Learning Goals (ELG), focusing on Gross Motor Skills and Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED).
Key Focus: Introducing basic football skills through engaging, play-based activities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Develop basic coordination and balance when kicking a ball.
• Engage in physical activity that encourages teamwork and cooperation.
• Gain confidence in moving with and controlling a football in a fun environment.

Equipment Needed

• 10 soft footballs (ratio of 1 ball per 2 children)
• 20 coloured cones
• 4 pop-up goals (or hoops as target areas)
• Whistle

Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up: Animal Movements (10 minutes)

Objective: Enhance mobility and prepare the muscles for movement.

• Instructions:
  • Gather students in a circle and explain they will move around the space like animals.
  • Call out different actions:
    • "Cheetah Sprint" (run fast for 5 seconds).
    • "Elephant Stomp" (heavy slow walking with arms swinging as a trunk).
    • "Froggy Jumps" (two-footed jumps).
    • "Penguin Waddle" (small slow steps with hands by side).
  • End with "Snail Crawl" as a slow cool down to transition to the next activity.

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2. Activity 1: Ball Taps and Gentle Kicks (10 minutes)

Objective: Introduce children to controlling and kicking a ball with gentle force.

• Instructions:
  • Each pair of children gets a football.
  • Have them start by tapping the top of the ball gently with alternating feet while stationary (mini "toe taps").
  • Progress to rolling the ball between their feet using short touches (inside foot taps).
  • Guide them to lightly kick the ball forward and stop it using their foot.

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3. Activity 2: 'Treasure Hunt Dribble' (10 minutes)

Objective: Encourage movement while maintaining ball control.

• Instructions:
  • Spread the cones around the playing area as "treasure".
  • Each child has a ball and must dribble around, tapping the ball gently to move towards a cone.
  • When they reach a “treasure” (cone), they stop their ball by placing their foot gently on top, then move to find more treasure.
  • Reinforce small touches for better ball control.

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4. Activity 3: 'Pass the Parcel' (10 minutes)

Objective: Promote teamwork and introduce the basic idea of passing.

• Instructions:
  • In groups of four, children sit in a small circle.
  • Each group has one football.
  • Encourage them to gently pass the ball to one another using the inside of their foot.
  • If they pass successfully three times in a row, they do a fun "goal celebration" move (jumping, clapping).

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5. Cool Down: Big Balloon Stretch (5 minutes)

Objective: Help students wind down and stretch their muscles.

• Instructions:
  • Ask children to imagine they are balloons inflating as they reach up high.
  • Slowly deflate by bringing hands down and bending forward.
  • End with deep breaths, blowing out like a soft breeze.

Assessment for Learning (AfL)

• Observe whether children can control the ball with small touches.
• Notice if students are working together and taking turns.
• Give positive reinforcement to children who attempt new movements confidently.

Differentiation Strategies

• For less confident learners: Provide extra guidance, allowing them to practice movements with quieter, one-on-one support.
• For advanced learners: Challenge them to use only one foot for toe taps or kick gently into a target for precision.

Plenary Discussion (Final 2 minutes)

• Question prompts:
  • “What was your favourite part of today’s lesson?”
  • “Did anyone find something tricky? How did you keep trying?”
  • “Why do we use little touches to move the ball?”

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Teacher’s Notes

Reflection for Next Lesson:

• Were students engaged in the activities?
• Did any children struggle with ball control? Consider adding slower-paced practice next time.
• Were teamwork and sharing encouraged throughout the session?

Next Lesson Preview:

• Introduction to stopping and starting with the ball.
• Begin basic goal scoring challenges.