Teams:

• Football is played between two teams, each consisting of 11 players, including one goalkeeper.
• Substitutes may be used throughout the game.
• There are many variations of football, particularly at junior level, such as 5 players per team, no off-side rule, mixed gender teams, smaller pitch, etc.

           The Pitch:

• A senior football pitch is rectangular, approximately 100 metres long by 50 metres wide.
• The pitch is marked with lines, including the halfway line, goal lines, and penalty areas.

           Scoring:

• The objective of the game is to score goals by putting the ball into the opposing team's goal.
• A goal is awarded when the entire ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar.
• Each goal is worth one point.

           The Game:

• Football matches are typically played in two halves, each lasting 45 minutes at the professional level. In youth or amateur games, halves may be shorter, or the time is split into 4 quarters.
• The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. In the case of a tie, the match may end in a draw or go into extra time or a penalty shootout.

           Starting Play:

• The game begins with a kickoff from the center circle.
• The team that wins the coin toss chooses which end to attack, and the other team kicks off.
• The ball must move forward at the kickoff.

           Ball in Play:

• The ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and moves.
• It remains in play unless it goes out of bounds (crosses the whole of the boundary line), a goal is scored, or the referee stops play for an infringement.

           Offsides:

• The offside rule is designed to prevent ‘goal-hanging’. A player is in an offside position if they are closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is played to them.
• Being in an offside position is not an offense; however, a player can be penalised if they become actively involved in the play from an offside position.
• NB: Many youth leagues do not introduce the off side rule until around secondary school age.

           Fouls, Free Kicks and Penalties:

• Fouls include actions like tripping, pushing, holding, and dangerous play.
• When a foul is committed, the opposing team is awarded a free kick.
• When a foul is committed by the defending team in the penalty area, the attacking team is awarded a penalty kick.

           Yellow and Red Cards:

• Yellow cards are issued to caution players for misconduct. Two yellow cards to the same player result in a red card and ejection from the game.
• A red card can be shown directly for severe offenses.
• A red card means the player's team must play with one player fewer for the rest of the game.

           Throw-ins and Corner Kicks:

• When the ball goes out of play along the sideline, a throw-in is awarded to the opposing team. The player must throw the ball in with both hands from behind their head.
• Corner kicks are awarded when the ball goes out of play behind the defending team's goal line, last touched by a defender. The attacking team takes the kick from the corner flag.

           Goalkeeper Rules:

• The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use their hands and arms to play the ball, but only within their penalty area.
• The goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with their hands if it is deliberately passed to them by a teammate (pass-back).  NB: Many youth leagues do not introduce the pass-back rule until around U9 age group.

In Upper KS2 Football, children should learn to perform and combine skills, at speed, with confidence and control.  Children should choose and apply skills that meet the need of the situation such as keeping possession or moving to get away from an opponent. Our Year 6 Football lesson plans help children improve teamwork shills, follow rules of the game and understand formations and individual roles.

Football lessons play an important role in primary school PE.  They provide opportunities for children to use running, jumping, throwing and catching in game situations, and continue to develop balance, strength, agility and control.  Football lessons also give children a chance to participate in competitive games, using basic principles suitable for attacking and defending. Primary School Football is also great for promoting values such as respect and for helping children become physically confident and competent to support their health and fitness.

All PE Planning lesson plans are created by PE Specialists and include all the resources required to deliver a complete Unit of Work.  Each lesson plan includes full guidance, and illustrations, and you can choose to download either a quick reference plan or a full lesson plan. Our Year 6 Football lesson plans follow the National Curriculum and allow you to deliver fun, engaging and rewarding Football lessons to your Year 6 pupils.  Best of all, our Football plans are quick and easy to download and follow, making your life easier!