Basic 5 · Physical Education · Space Awareness
Creating Space in Games
In this topic you will describe ways that an attacking player can create more space away from a defending player.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain offence, defence and space in games
- Describe ways to create space
- Use these skills in a small-sided game
What you already know
- Passing to a teammate
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Movement Concepts
- Sub-strand
- Space Awareness
- Indicator
- B5.2.1.2.1 – Describe ways to create more space between an offensive player and a defensive player
Introduction
In football, netball and handball, a player who is closely marked cannot receive the ball easily. Good attackers know how to move away from defenders to create space.
1. Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| offensive player (attacker) | the player whose team has the ball and tries to score |
| defensive player (defender) | the player trying to stop the attacker and win the ball |
| space | free area on the field with no defender close by |
| marking | staying close to an opponent to stop them receiving the ball |
2. Ways to Create Space
| Move | How it works |
|---|---|
| dodging | move quickly one way, then change direction |
| faking (feinting) | pretend to go one way with your head and shoulders, then go the other way |
| change of speed | jog slowly, then suddenly sprint away |
| moving into open areas | run to empty parts of the field where there are no defenders |
| width and depth | spread out across and along the field so defenders must cover more area |
| give-and-go | pass to a teammate and immediately run into space for a return pass |
| use of body | keep your body between the defender and the ball when receiving |
3. Why Space Matters
An attacker in space has time to receive the ball, look up and pass or shoot. A team that spreads out uses the whole field and makes it hard for the other team to defend. Bunching together around the ball, like bees around honey, makes it easy for defenders.
4. Practice Game: 3 v 1 Keep-Away
- Mark a square of 10 metres by 10 metres.
- Three attackers try to keep the ball from one defender.
- Attackers must move to create passing lanes after each pass.
- If the defender touches the ball, swap roles.
Talk to your teammates by calling their names and pointing to space. Communication makes passing easier.
New words
- offence
- Attacking with the ball.
- defence
- Trying to stop the attackers.
- space
- A free area away from defenders.
- marking
- Staying close to an opponent.
- feint
- A fake movement to trick a defender.
- give-and-go
- Pass and run for a return pass.
Summary
- Attackers need space to receive and use the ball.
- Dodging, faking and changing speed create space.
- Spread out to use width and depth.
- The give-and-go helps beat defenders.
Class activity: Space Invaders
- Play 3 v 1 keep-away in a square.
- Use at least two ways of creating space.
- After the game, describe which moves worked best.
You need: Plastic-bottle cones, Rope, Locally made ball
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A player trying to stop the attacker is a…
- A. defender
- B. striker
- C. goalkeeper only
- D. referee
Show answer
Answer: defenderThey defend.2. Pretending to go one way and going the other way is…
- A. a feint
- B. a foul
- C. a tackle
- D. a throw-in
Show answer
Answer: a feintIt tricks the defender.3. Passing and then running for a return pass is a…
- A. give-and-go
- B. penalty
- C. dribble
- D. header
Show answer
Answer: give-and-goCreates space.4. Spreading out on the field helps the attacking team.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueDefenders must cover more space.5. All players should crowd around the ball.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt makes defending easy.6. Staying close to an opponent is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: markingDefenders mark attackers.7. List three ways to create space.
Show answer
Answer: Dodging, faking and changing speed (or moving into open areas, give-and-go).Any three.8. Why does an attacker in space have an advantage?
Show answer
Answer: They have time to control the ball, look up and choose to pass or shoot.Time and options.
Homework
- Watch part of a football or netball match and note how players create space.