B. Active Living / C. Movement Competence · Active Living and Movement: Motivated, Fit, Safe and Skilful

Smart Tactics for Every Kind of Game, with Fair Play

C2 A1.6 A1.1 A1.4About 40 minutes

Learning goals

I can use tactics that fit the category of game I'm playing.
I can solve a game problem by noticing what's wrong, choosing a tactic, trying it and checking if it worked.
I can work with my team on offence and defence.
I can play fairly and manage my feelings during close games.

Words to know

tactic
A plan or action you use in a game to help you or your team succeed.

offence
When your team has the object and is trying to score.

defence
When the other team has the object and you are trying to stop them scoring.

marking
Staying close to one player on the other team so they can't easily get the ball.

goal-side
Standing between the player you're marking and the goal you're defending.

give-and-go
Passing to a teammate, then quickly moving to open space to get it back.

ready position
Knees bent, weight on the balls of your feet, eyes on the play, ready to move any way.

Remember from Grade 3

In Grade 3 you used tactics like moving to open space, faking, shielding and staying between a player and the target. You learned to change rules fairly and to win and lose kindly.

This year you will use tactics that fit each kind of game from the last lesson, and solve game problems like a coach.

Tactics for each category

Category	Tactics on offence (or when it's your turn)	Tactics on defence
Target	Aim carefully and choose the right force; play a safe shot or try a harder one when it's worth it.	Block the target, or knock the other team's object away (curling, bocce).
Net/wall	Send to open space, far from your opponent; mix short and long shots.	Get back to your ready spot in the middle after each hit; watch your opponent's body to guess where it's going.
Striking/fielding	Hit or kick to the gaps between fielders; run hard and decide quickly whether to go for another base.	Spread out to cover space; throw to the base the runner is heading to; back each other up.
Territory	Spread out, move to open space, give-and-go, keep the object away from defenders.	Mark a player and stay goal-side; close space quickly; get back on defence fast when you lose the ball.

Tactics to use in each category of game.

A net/wall tactic: player B is close to the net, so player A hits to the open space at the back of B's side of the court.

Solving a game problem

Good players think like coaches. When something isn't working, use these four steps:

Notice: What's going wrong? ("We keep losing the ball.")
Choose: Pick a tactic that might fix it. ("Spread out so we have passing lanes.")
Try: Use it for a few minutes.
Check: Did it work? If not, try a different tactic.

Talk with your team, listen to everyone's ideas, and agree on a plan.

Fair play and feelings in close games

Call your own fouls and outs honestly, even if it costs your team a point.
Include everyone: pass to all teammates, not just the best players.
In a close game, feelings get big. Notice them ("I'm nervous" or "I'm frustrated"), take a slow breath, and focus on the next play.
If a teammate makes a mistake, say "Next one!" not something mean.
After the game, shake hands or say "Good game" whether you win or lose.

Worked example

Let's solve a territory problem

In 3 vs 3 soccer, your team keeps losing the ball. You notice all three of you are bunched up around the ball. What tactic should you try?

Notice: bunching up means there's no one in open space to pass to, and one defender can stop all of you.
Choose: spread out: one player wide on each side and one ahead, making a triangle.
Try: the player with the ball now has two passing choices. Use a give-and-go: pass, then run into space to get it back.
Check: Are you keeping the ball longer? If yes, keep it up. If the defenders are marking tightly, add fakes to get open.

Spread out into a triangle and pass and move. Spreading out creates open space and passing lanes.

Seen from above: when attackers spread out into a triangle, the player with the ball has two passing lanes, and one defender (D) can't cover both.

Worked example

Let's choose a net/wall tactic

In badminton, your opponent always stands at the back of their court. Where should you hit the shuttle?

Notice: the open space is at the front of their court, near the net.
Choose: a short, soft shot that just clears the net.
Try it a few times. Then mix it up: when they move forward, hit long to the back.
Check: mixing short and long makes them run and gives you more points.

Hit short into the open front space, then mix short and long to keep them guessing.

Hands-on activity

Coach for a day

You need: a soft ball, 4 markers (shoes or cones), a laundry basket or bucket and at least two family members.

2 vs 1 territory: Two attackers try to pass 5 times in a row, or score by getting the ball into the basket. One defender tries to intercept. Play 3 minutes.
Stop and coach: What went wrong? Use Notice, Choose, Try, Check. Pick one tactic (spread out, give-and-go, fake, mark goal-side).
Play another 3 minutes with the new tactic. Did it work?
Net/wall: Over a rope tied between two chairs, tap a soft ball back and forth. Try to land it in open space. Return to your ready spot after every hit.
Feelings check: At the end, each player names one feeling they had during the game and one fair-play action they saw.

Safety: Soft ball only, gentle play, no pushing. Make sure the area is clear of tripping hazards.

Just for fun

Why is a soccer field always so cool?

Because it's full of fans!

Your turn

What is a tactic?

Name one net/wall tactic.

Name one striking/fielding tactic for fielders.

What does goal-side mean?

What are the four steps for solving a game problem?

Name two fair-play actions.

Do it and check: Get into a ready position.

More practice: warm-up

What is offence?

What is marking?

In striking/fielding games, where should you try to hit the ball?

What is a give-and-go?

A teammate misses a pass. What could you say?

More practice: on your own

In kickball, all the fielders are standing close to home plate. Where should you kick?

Your team just lost the ball in basketball. What should everyone do right away?

In bocce, the other team's ball is right beside the target. Name two choices you have.

In a close game you feel your heart pounding and you're worried about making a mistake. What can you do?

Why should you pass to all teammates, not just the best player?

Challenge

Your team is losing a 2 vs 2 ultimate game because one tall defender blocks every long throw. Use Notice, Choose, Try, Check to plan a fix.

Compare a defence tactic in a territory game with one in a net/wall game. How are they alike?

Your opponent in four square says a ball was out, but you think it was in. No grown-up saw it. What is a fair way to settle it, and why does it matter?

Check your understanding

Quiz

In a net/wall game, where should you try to send the object?

In a territory game, your team keeps bunching around the ball. Which tactic helps?

What does it mean to stay goal-side when defending?

In a striking/fielding game, fielders should...

What are the four steps for solving a game problem?

A teammate makes a mistake that lets the other team score. What's the best response?

Which is a target game tactic?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Grade 4 students apply tactics to increase their chances of success in a variety of activities, choosing tactics that fit the category of game (target, net/wall, striking/fielding, territory), on offence and defence. They practise a problem-solving routine (Notice, Choose, Try, Check) and fair play, and manage their emotions in close games.

How to help at home:

During family games, pause and ask, "What's working? What could we try?"
Watch a game together (live or on TV) and point out tactics: spreading out, marking, hitting to open space.
Model honest calls and calm reactions, especially when you lose.

Common difficulties:

Everyone chasing the ball. Use the "triangle" idea and praise moving to space.
Only passing to the strongest player. Make a rule that everyone touches the ball before a score.
Big feelings in close games. Practise the breath-and-next-play routine; talk afterward about what went well.

Safety: Use soft balls, keep play gentle and clear the space.

Social-emotional learning: Solving game problems builds critical thinking; noticing and managing nerves and frustration builds emotional regulation; team talk, inclusion and fair play build healthy relationships.