Lesson 5: Find a Friend in Open Space
Monday, December 7, 2026
1Stretching & Mobility5 min›
March and Shoulder Roll
30 seconds, then 8 rolls- Stand or sit tall with space around you.
- March or move arms gently for 30 seconds.
- Roll shoulders backward slowly; breathe normally.
Muscles/joints: Hip flexors, shoulders, ankles
Coaching cue: Easy rhythm and relaxed shoulders.
Modification: Seated marching or arm movements.
Supported Ankle and Foot Warm-up
8 slow repetitions- Use a stable wall or chair if needed.
- Lift heels gently on level ground.
- Lower slowly, keeping knees comfortable.
Muscles/joints: Calves and ankle joints
Coaching cue: Control the rise and lower; do not bounce.
Modification: Seated heel lifts or comfortable ankle movement.
Side Steps and Gentle Hip Bend
6 steps each way, 5 shallow bends- Side-step slowly without crossing feet.
- Pause with feet comfortably apart.
- Bend hips and knees a little, then stand tall.
Muscles/joints: Glutes, quadriceps, hip joints
Coaching cue: Small comfortable range; knees follow toes.
Modification: Seated side reaches or supported shallow bends.
2WARM-UP RUN / JOG — 2–3 MINUTESRequired›
Mark a safe route
- Mark a loop with 4–6 cones around the field or blacktop (about 100–150 yards).
- Keep the route away from fences, poles, parked cars, and uneven ground.
- Stand where you can see the entire loop.
Starting & stopping
- Gather students at the start cone. Say: 'When I blow the whistle, jog at a talking pace.'
- One whistle = start; two whistles = slow to a walk and come back to the start cone.
- Use the countdown timer below so everyone finishes together.
Pacing
Students should jog at a 'talking pace' — they could still chat with a friend. This is not a race and never a punishment.
Safety
- Pass on the outside, call 'On your left.'
- Shoes tied before starting.
- Walk if you feel dizzy, have chest pain, or can't catch your breath — tell the teacher.
Alternatives
Students may brisk-walk, power-march, or do seated arm-pumping. Wheelchair users can roll the loop or do arm circuits.
Hydration
Water break immediately after the run. Remind students to drink before and after PE.
3Review & Mini-Lesson10 min›
Review questions
- What should you check before a shot?
- Show one safe action from Aim at the Goal.
Vocabulary
- Support
- Move where a teammate can safely pass to you.
- Passing lane
- A clear path between a sender and receiver.
- Give-and-go
- Pass the ball, move into space, then receive a return pass.
What the Teacher Should Say
After a pass, you do not have to stand still. Walk to a new open cone, face your friend, and say “ready.” Your friend can now pass to a new place. Do not follow the ball into a crowd. Spread out so your team has room. We will practice with no defenders first, taking turns passing and moving. Everyone gets chances to send and receive.
Step-by-step demonstration
- Pass, walk to an open cone, face the ball, and call ready.
- Show a blocked versus clear passing lane using stationary cones.
- Demonstrate a triangle pass with three players maintaining spacing.
Real-world examples
- A gentle ground pass is easier for a ready teammate to control.
- Looking for open space can prevent crowding around the ball.
Questions to ask students
- Where can you move after passing?
- What makes a passing lane clear?
- How does spacing help everyone participate?
Visual resource
Extension
Draw or explain one cue from “Find a Friend in Open Space” and show it safely without equipment.
4Group Activity: Pass-and-Move Triangles15–20 min›
Purpose: Pass to a partner, then move into a new open space ready to receive.
Equipment
- Soccer or soft balls
- 4 cones per group
- Optional bibs
Players
Whole class in pairs or small groups of 3–4
Space & setup
Groups of three occupy separate large cone triangles, with an extra empty cone as a movement option. Keep groups 4 yards apart.
Rules
- Move only to an unoccupied cone with a clear route.
- Call readiness before a pass; keep passes gentle and on the ground.
- No defenders for younger groups; older passive markers never tackle.
Step-by-step
- Teacher demonstrates the task and checks readiness, clear space, and accessible options.
- Pass around a triangle and stop each ball.
- After passing, walk to the empty cone.
- Repeat with every student sending and receiving.
- Pause and show where the next open space is.
- Pause for water and one coaching cue; repeat a short round if comfortable.
- Teacher checks each student individually using the assessment cue before cooldown.
Teacher demonstration
Pass, walk to an open cone, face the ball, and call ready. Show a blocked versus clear passing lane using stationary cones. Demonstrate a triangle pass with three players maintaining spacing.
Safety
- Use level, nonslip ground and clear boundaries; follow each student’s health plan.
- Choose comfortable effort, allow water and rest, and report pain, dizziness, or unusual breathing difficulty immediately.
- No heading, slide tackles, pushing, or deliberate body contact; use age-appropriate soft balls.
- Keep passing and shooting lanes clear; stop nearby play before retrieving a loose ball.
Modifications
Larger triangles, shorter pass distances, no marker, seated partner passing, or hand-rolled give-and-go with accessible travel routes.
Advanced challenge
Explain one cue to a partner, then repeat with improved control; do not add speed.
Assessment
Check purposeful movement to space, ready communication, controlled passes, and shared involvement.
5Supervised Free Play & Cooldown20–30 min›
Activity choices
Expectations
- Stay inside the coned boundary.
- Take turns and share equipment.
- Include anyone who wants to join.
- Teacher circulates and keeps eyes on all groups.
- Water available throughout.
Cooldown
- Walk or roll slowly for 2 minutes until breathing feels comfortable.
- Gentle supported calf stretch: 15–20 seconds per side; no bouncing.
- Gentle cross-body shoulder stretch: 15 seconds each arm.
- Take three relaxed breaths and drink water.