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Grades 1–3 · Unit 4: Soccer Fundamentals

Lesson 6: Our First Soccer Team Game

Thursday, December 10, 2026

Objective: Students will use dribbling, passing, and safe rules in a short small-team soccer game.
1Stretching & Mobility5 min›

March and Shoulder Roll

30 seconds, then 8 rolls
  1. Stand or sit tall with space around you.
  2. March or move arms gently for 30 seconds.
  3. 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
  1. Use a stable wall or chair if needed.
  2. Lift heels gently on level ground.
  3. 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
  1. Side-step slowly without crossing feet.
  2. Pause with feet comfortably apart.
  3. 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›
2:00

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

  • Where can you move after passing?
  • Show one safe action from Find a Friend in Open Space.

Vocabulary

Restart
How play begins again after a stop or out-of-bounds ball.
Teamwork
Working together so everyone can contribute.
Fair play
Respecting rules, people, and honest decisions.

What the Teacher Should Say

We will put our soccer skills together in small teams. Gentle touches help dribbling, helpful passes include friends, and open spaces keep us safer. We use small cone goals and no goalkeepers. If a ball crosses a boundary, everyone pauses and the teacher tells us who starts with a gentle ground pass. Opponents give space for the restart. No heading, slide tackles, pushing, or hard kicks. We celebrate a helpful pass and a safe choice as much as a goal.

Step-by-step demonstration

  1. Show dribble-pass-move in a short three-player example.
  2. Model an out-of-bounds stop and ground-pass restart with opponents 3 yards away.
  3. Show a fair response to a missed pass and invite a teammate into play.

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

  • What are our no-contact rules?
  • How do we restart when the ball goes out?
  • Which choice helped a teammate participate?

Visual resource

Illustration placeholder — to be uploaded by an administrator

Extension

Draw or explain one cue from “Our First Soccer Team Game” and show it safely without equipment.

4Group Activity: Mini Soccer Festival15–20 min›

Purpose: Use dribbling, passing, and safe rules in a short small-team soccer game.

Equipment

  • Soft soccer balls
  • Cones
  • Team bibs
  • Timer

Players

Small teams of 3; rotate all participants

Space & setup

Set up separated 15-by-20-yard fields for 3v3 play with wide cone goals, no keepers, and clear buffer zones; teacher adjusts size to mobility and ability.

Rules

  • No heading, slide tackles, pushing, blocking, or deliberate contact.
  • Ground shots only; no goalkeepers or standing inside cone goals.
  • Teacher assigns ground-pass restarts; opponents stay 3 yards away.
  • Rotate teams and roles; breaks and adapted rules are available.

Step-by-step

  1. Teacher demonstrates the task and checks readiness, clear space, and accessible options.
  2. Review a controlled dribble, pass, and shot before play.
  3. Play a 2-minute 3v3 round at walking or gentle movement pace.
  4. Pause to find an open teammate and practice a restart.
  5. Rotate partners and repeat, celebrating inclusion instead of keeping a public score.
  6. Pause for water and one coaching cue; repeat a short round if comfortable.
  7. Teacher checks each student individually using the assessment cue before cooldown.

Teacher demonstration

Show dribble-pass-move in a short three-player example. Model an out-of-bounds stop and ground-pass restart with opponents 3 yards away. Show a fair response to a missed pass and invite a teammate into play.

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

Walking-only play, larger soft balls, widened goals, a neutral support player, no-pressure receiving, or an accessible passing game beside the field.

Advanced challenge

Explain one cue to a partner, then repeat with improved control; do not add speed.

Assessment

Record one controlled skill, one appropriate decision, one safe restart, and respectful participation per student.

5Supervised Free Play & Cooldown20–30 min›

Activity choices

Football: soft-ball passing or non-contact flag games — no tacklingBasketball: dribbling, partner passing, or low-hoop shootingSoccer: passing, dribbling, or small-sided play — no heading or slide tacklesKickball: soft-ball kick and run — no throwing at runnersHula hoopsJump ropesFour-squareSoft-ball catchHopscotchWalking follow-the-leader

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.
Reflection question: Which choice helped a teammate participate? Give one example from today’s activity.