Football: Meaning of Football, Positions of Players on the Field, Ball Control Skills and Goalkeeping Skills Primary 4 (Basic 4) First Term Week 8 Physical and Health Education

FOOTBALL: MEANING OF FOOTBALL, POSITIONS OF PLAYERS ON THE FIELDS AND HOW TO CONTROL BALL DURING PLAY, GOAL KEEPER SKILLS 

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (PHE)

PRIMARY 4 – FIRST TERM – WEEK 8

THEME – GAMES AND SPORTS (BALL GAMES) 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Athletics (Track Events): Practical Demonstration of Sprint Races Primary 4 (Basic 4) First Term Week 6 Physical and Health Education

TOPIC – FOOTBALL 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Meaning of Football and Positions of Players on the Field

3. Ball Control Skills and Goalkeeping Skills

4. Practical Demonstration of Football Skills

5. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. Explain the meaning of football.

2. Identify the positions of players on the football field.

3. Demonstrate basic ball control skills.

4. Demonstrate basic goalkeeping skills.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about locomotive and non-locomotive movements, relay races, and sprint races. They also practised running, balancing, jumping, coordination, and teamwork during athletics activities.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by introducing football, where pupils will apply these movement skills while learning the positions of players, basic ball control skills, and goalkeeping skills needed to play the game effectively. 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Football

2. Cones or markers

3. Goalposts or improvised goals

4. Whistle

5. Pictures/chart showing football positions

6. Bibs or jerseys

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever played or watched a football match? Football is an exciting game in which two teams compete to score goals by kicking a ball into the opponent’s goal. Each player has a specific position and responsibility on the field, while the goalkeeper protects the goal from the opposing team.

To play football well, players need to learn ball control skills, such as dribbling, passing, trapping, and kicking the ball correctly. Goalkeepers also need special skills like catching, saving, and throwing the ball safely.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the meaning of football, the positions of players on the field, and the basic ball control and goalkeeping skills used in the game.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF FOOTBALL

Football is a game played between two teams of eleven (11) players each, using a round ball. The aim of the game is to score goals by kicking the ball into the opponent’s goal while following the rules of the game.

Football is played on a rectangular field with a goalpost at each end.

POSITIONS OF PLAYERS ON THE FIELD

There are four main positions in football:

1. Goalkeeper

• Goalkeeper protects the goal.

• Goalkeeper prevents the opposing team from scoring.

• Goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use the hands inside the penalty area.

2. Defenders

• Defenders play near their own goal.

• Defenders stop opponents from attacking.

• Defender help protect the goalkeeper.

3. Midfielders

• Midfielder play in the middle of the field.

• Midfielder pass the ball to teammates.

• Midfielder support both the defence and the attack.

4. Forwards (Strikers)

• Strikers play near the opponent’s goal.

• Strikers score goals for their team.

• Strikers lead the team’s attack.

LESSON 2 – BASIC BALL CONTROL SKILLS

Ball control skills help players keep possession of the ball and play effectively.

1. Dribbling – Moving the ball while running using short kicks.

2. Passing – Kicking the ball accurately to a teammate.

3. Trapping (Receiving) – Stopping and controlling the ball with the foot before playing it.

4. Kicking – Striking the ball to pass, shoot, or clear it.

5. Heading – Using the head to pass or direct the ball.

BASIC GOALKEEPING SKILLS

A goalkeeper needs special skills to protect the goal.

1. Catching – Holding the ball firmly with both hands.

2. Saving – Stopping the ball from entering the goal.

3. Throwing – Throwing the ball accurately to a teammate.

4. Diving – Jumping sideways to stop difficult shots.

5. Positioning – Standing in the correct place to cover the goal and react quickly.

IMPORTANCE OF BALL CONTROL AND GOALKEEPING SKILLS

1. They help players keep possession of the ball.

2. They improve teamwork.

3. They help teams score goals.

4. They help prevent opponents from scoring.

5. They improve confidence and performance during football matches.

Football is a team game played by two teams of eleven players. The four main player positions are goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward. Good football players develop ball control skills such as dribbling, passing, trapping, kicking, and heading, while goalkeepers learn catching, saving, throwing, diving, and proper positioning to protect the goal.

LESSON 3 – PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF FOOTBALL SKILLS

The teacher demonstrates each football skill before allowing the pupils to practise.

1. Dribbling

• Place the ball on the ground.

• Use the inside and outside of the foot to move the ball.

• Keep the ball close while moving forward.

• Look up occasionally instead of looking at the ball all the time.

2. Passing

• Stand facing your partner.

• Use the inside of the foot to kick the ball gently.

• Aim the ball accurately at your teammate.

• Follow through after kicking.

3. Trapping (Receiving the Ball)

• Watch the ball carefully.

• Use the inside of the foot to stop the ball.

• Keep the ball close and under control.

4. Kicking (Shooting)

• Place the non-kicking foot beside the ball.

• Swing the kicking foot and strike the ball firmly.

• Follow through in the direction of the kick.

5. Heading

• Keep your eyes on the ball.

• Use the forehead to head the ball.

• Keep the neck firm while heading.

6. Goalkeeping Skills

The teacher demonstrates how to:

• Catch the ball with both hands.

• Save low and high shots.

• Throw the ball accurately to a teammate.

• Dive safely to stop the ball.

• Stand in the correct position to protect the goal.

GROUP PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES

The teacher divides pupils into small groups and assigns each group to:

1. Practise dribbling the ball between cones.

2. Practise passing the ball to a partner.

3. Practise trapping and controlling the ball.

4. Practise kicking the ball towards a target or goal.

5. Practise heading the ball gently under the teacher’s supervision.

6. Take turns acting as the goalkeeper by catching, saving, throwing, and positioning correctly.

7. Play a short football game while applying the skills learned.

The teacher observes the pupils, corrects mistakes, encourages teamwork, and ensures that all safety rules are followed during the practical activities.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Football is played between ______.

A. one team

B. two teams

C. three teams

D. four teams

2. Which player is allowed to use the hands inside the penalty area?

A. Defender

B. Midfielder

C. Forward

D. Goalkeeper

3. Which football skill involves moving with the ball under control?

A. Heading

B. Dribbling

C. Catching

D. Diving

4. Which player mainly scores goals for the team?

A. Forward (Striker)

B. Defender

C. Goalkeeper

D. Referee

5. Which of the following is a goalkeeping skill?

A. Dribbling

B. Passing

C. Catching

D. Shooting

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. Football is played with a ______.

7. The ______ protects the goal from opponents.

8. Passing the ball correctly requires good ______.

9. A player controls the ball by ______ it.

10. The ______ plays in the middle of the field.

C. True or False

11. Football is played by two teams. ______

12. The goalkeeper is the only player who can use the hands inside the penalty area. ______

13. Dribbling means throwing the ball. ______

14. Defenders help protect their team’s goal. ______

15. Catching the ball is a goalkeeping skill. ______

D. Match Column A with Column B

Column A – Column B

16. Goalkeeper – A. Moves with the ball

17. Dribbling – B. Protects the goal

18. Defender – C. Stops opponents from scoring

19. Passing – D. Scores goals

20. Forward – E. Kicks the ball to a teammate

ANSWER KEYS

1. B – Two teams

2. D – Goalkeeper

3. B – Dribbling

4. A – Forward (Striker)

5. C – Catching

6. Football (ball)

7. Goalkeeper

8. Accuracy

9. Trapping (receiving)

10. Midfielder

11. True

12. True

13. False

14. True

15. True

16. B – Goalkeeper → Protects the goal

17. A – Dribbling → Moves with the ball

18. C – Defender → Stops opponents from scoring

19. E – Passing → Kicks the ball to a teammate

20. D – Forward → Scores goals

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that football is a game played between two teams of eleven (11) players each with the aim of scoring goals by kicking the ball into the opponent’s goal.

They identified the four main player positions on the football field: Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, Forward (Striker)

Pupils also learned and practised basic ball control skills, including: Dribbling, Passing, Trapping (Receiving), Kicking, Heading

Finally, they learned basic goalkeeping skills, such as: Catching, Saving, Throwing Diving, Proper positioning

Pupils understood that regular practice, teamwork, discipline, and following the rules of the game help players improve their football skills and enjoy the game safely.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

1. The teacher displays a football and pictures/chart of a football field and asks pupils what they know about football.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils observe the football and identify it as the equipment used in football.

2. The teacher explains the meaning of football and discusses the objective of the game.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the meaning of football in their own words.

3. The teacher uses a chart or football field diagram to explain the positions of players (goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards).

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify the different player positions and state their duties.

4. The teacher demonstrates the basic ball control skills: dribbling, passing, trapping, kicking, and heading.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils practise each ball control skill individually and in pairs.

5. The teacher demonstrates the basic goalkeeping skills: catching, saving, throwing, diving, and proper positioning.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils take turns demonstrating the goalkeeping skills under the teacher’s supervision.

6. The teacher organizes pupils into small groups for practical football activities and corrects mistakes where necessary.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils participate actively in group practice, demonstrate teamwork, and apply the skills learned.

7. The teacher summarizes the lesson by reviewing the meaning of football, player positions, ball control skills, and goalkeeping skills.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer review questions and state the key points learned.

8. The teacher gives classwork, assesses pupils’ practical and written responses, and provides corrections where necessary.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils complete the activities and improve their performance based on the teacher’s feedback.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Table Tennis: Meaning of Table Tennis and Basic Table Tennis Skills Primary 4 (Basic 4) First Term Week 9 Physical and Health Education

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What is football?

2. How many players are there in a football team?

3. Mention the four main positions of players on the football field.

4. State any four basic ball control skills.

5. Mention any four goalkeeping skills.

6. Who is the only player allowed to use the hands inside the penalty area?

7. Explain the importance of dribbling and passing in football.

8. Demonstrate any two ball control skills and any two goalkeeping skills correctly.