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Football, Basic Skills, Equipment and Ball Games for Pre-School Level 4

A classroom guide to football: basic skills, equipment and ball games for Pre-School Level 4, including guided practice where pupils list examples of ball games and demonstrate the...

Royal AlikorByRoyal AlikorPublishedAug 28, 2026Reading8 minComments0

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 5
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Simple body movements and exercises.
Topic: FOOTBALL: BASIC SKILLS, EQUIPMENT AND BALL GAMES
Subject Matter: BALL GAMES AND EXERCISES – Football – Examples of ball games: football, table tennis, basketball, etc. – Skills in football: Passing, dribbling, shooting, etc. Equipment: jersey, boots, whistle, ball, goalpost, etc.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

  • Identify different types of ball games.
  • Name basic equipment used in football.
  • Recall simple football skills like passing and dribbling.

Affective Domain

  • Show enthusiasm for playing ball games.
  • Listen attentively to instructions during demonstrations.
  • Appreciate the importance of teamwork in ball games.

Psychomotor Domain

  • Demonstrate simple passing of a football.
  • Attempt to dribble a football.
  • Practise kicking a football towards a target (shooting).

Social Domain

  • Take turns when playing with the ball.
  • Participate cooperatively in group ball activities.

Reference Materials

  • NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
  • Early Childhood Care and Education curriculum resources
  • Relevant early-years Physical Education activity guides

Instructional Materials

  • A football (soft, child-friendly if possible)
  • Picture cards of various ball games (football, basketball, table tennis, volleyball)
  • Pictures of football equipment (jersey, boots, whistle, goalpost)
  • Cones or markers for dribbling practice
  • A designated safe playground or open space
  • Video clips showing basic football skills for children

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces Pre-School Level 4 pupils to the exciting world of ball games, specifically football. It encourages physical activity, develops gross motor skills, coordination, and introduces concepts of teamwork and fair play, which are crucial for their holistic development and healthy lifestyle.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have previously engaged in various outdoor play activities, can run, jump, and have played with different types of balls in an unstructured manner.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

FOOTBALL: BASIC SKILLS, EQUIPMENT AND BALL GAMES

What are Ball Games?

  • Ball games are games where we play with a ball.
  • They help us run, jump, and have fun!

Examples of Ball Games:

  • Football: We kick the ball with our feet.
  • Basketball: We throw the ball into a hoop.
  • Table Tennis: We hit a small ball over a net on a table.
  • Volleyball: We hit the ball over a net with our hands.
  • Handball: We throw and catch the ball to score goals.

Football Equipment:

  • Ball: The round thing we kick.
  • Jersey: The special shirt players wear.
  • Boots: Special shoes for kicking the ball.
  • Whistle: The referee blows it to start and stop the game.
  • Goalpost: Where players try to kick the ball to score.

Basic Football Skills:

  • Passing: Kicking the ball gently to a friend.
  • Dribbling: Tapping the ball with your feet to move it forward while running.
  • Shooting: Kicking the ball hard towards the goalpost to score.

Key Words

  • Ball: A round object used for playing games.
  • Kick: To hit something with your foot.
  • Goal: The place where you try to put the ball in football.
  • Pass: To kick the ball to another player.
  • Dribble: To move the ball forward by tapping it with your feet.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

  • Display picture cards of different ball games.
  • Show a real football and pictures of other football equipment (jersey, boots, goalpost).
  • Demonstrate the basic football skills: passing, dribbling, and shooting.

Movement Rhyme

Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”

Lyrics:

The ball on the field goes roll, roll, roll,
Roll, roll, roll, roll, roll, roll.
The ball on the field goes roll, roll, roll,
All around the playground.

We kick the ball and pass, pass, pass,
Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass.
We kick the ball and pass, pass, pass,
To our friends on the playground.

We dribble the ball with our feet, feet, feet,
Feet, feet, feet, feet, feet, feet.
We dribble the ball with our feet, feet, feet,
All around the playground.

Actions:

  • “Roll, roll, roll”: Roll hands in front of body.
  • “Kick the ball”: Make a kicking motion.
  • “Pass, pass, pass”: Push hands forward as if passing.
  • “Dribble the ball”: Tap feet gently on the spot.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the rhyme as pupils are moving with the ball or practicing skills. Encourage them to do the actions as they sing.

Video Demonstration

The teacher will show a short video clip demonstrating basic football skills for young children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J34y0B0v44o

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Imitation, Practical Activity, Video Observation.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads a short warm-up activity like marching or stretching. The teacher then asks pupils if they like playing with balls and introduces the topic of ball games and football.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, participate in warm-up exercises, and respond to questions about playing with balls.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.

Step 2: Explanation of Ball Games

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Picture Talk

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays picture cards of various ball games (football, basketball, table tennis) and explains what a ball game is. The teacher names examples and asks pupils if they know any other ball games.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures, listen to the explanations, and name any ball games they know.

Learning Point: Pupils identify and name different ball games.

Step 3: Introduction to Football Equipment

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Association

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a real football and pictures of football equipment (jersey, boots, whistle, goalpost). The teacher names each item and briefly explains its use in football.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the football and pictures, name the equipment, and listen to their uses.

Learning Point: Pupils recognise and name basic football equipment.

Step 4: Demonstration of Basic Football Skills

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher takes the pupils to the playground or a safe open space. Using a football, the teacher clearly demonstrates the basic skills: passing (kicking gently to a target), dribbling (tapping the ball to move it forward), and shooting (kicking towards a goalpost/marker). The teacher may also show the video clip here.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstrations carefully and watch the video clip.

Learning Point: Pupils understand how basic football skills are performed.

Step 5: Guided Practice of Football Skills

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Coaching

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to practice the skills.

  1. Passing: Pupils pair up or form a circle and gently kick the ball to each other.
  2. Dribbling: Pupils individually try to tap the ball around cones or in a straight line.
  3. Shooting: Pupils take turns kicking the ball towards a designated goalpost or marker.
The teacher sings the “Football Fun” rhyme to encourage movement and participation.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate in practicing passing, dribbling, and shooting under the teacher’s supervision. They sing along with the rhyme.

Learning Point: Pupils develop basic football motor skills through practice.

Step 6: Reinforcement through a Simple Ball Game

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Game-based Learning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises a very simple, non-competitive ball game, e.g., “Keep the Ball Moving” where pupils work together to keep the ball from going out of a marked area by passing it to each other.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils play the simple ball game, applying their newly learned passing and dribbling skills, and practising teamwork.

Learning Point: Pupils apply football skills in a fun, cooperative setting.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

  1. “Can you name one ball game we talked about today?”
  2. “What do we use to kick the ball in football?” (Show a picture of boots/ball)
  3. “Show me how you pass the ball gently to a friend.”
  4. “Show me how you dribble the ball with your feet.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarisation/Closure

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and effort. The teacher reminds them that playing ball games is fun and good for their bodies. The teacher leads a cool-down stretch.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to praise, participate in cool-down stretches, and tidy up any materials.

Learning Point: Pupils conclude the lesson with a positive feeling about physical activity.

Lesson Keywords

  • Football – A game played with a ball where players kick it to score goals.
  • Ball games – Games that use a ball.
  • Pass – To kick or throw the ball to another player.
  • Dribble – To move the ball by tapping it with your feet.
  • Shoot – To kick the ball towards the goal.
  • Equipment – The things we need to play a game.

Differentiation

  • Support: For pupils who find it difficult, the teacher can use a larger, softer ball. Provide one-on-one guidance for passing and dribbling, using hand-over-hand if necessary. Focus on one skill at a time.
  • Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the skills, challenge them to dribble the ball in a slightly more complex pattern (e.g., around more cones) or try to pass the ball to a moving target. Encourage them to demonstrate the skills to their peers.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure the playground or open space is clear and safe for physical activity. Have all instructional materials, especially the football and picture cards, ready. When demonstrating skills, keep it simple and slow, breaking down each action into small steps. Emphasize safety and fair play throughout the practical activities. Encourage all children to participate, regardless of their skill level, by focusing on effort and enjoyment rather than perfect execution. Observe pupils as they practice to identify those needing more support or those ready for a challenge. The main idea is for children to have fun while learning basic movement skills and appreciating ball games.

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Football, Basic Skills, Equipment and Ball Games for Pre-School Level 4
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