Transforming GCSE PE Football and Beyond; by using Small-Sided Games, the FA’s 6 core capabilities and 2 & 3 player core moves.
Chris Lowe, FA PE Officer for the West Midlands. (Formerly Secondary PE teacher for 16 years)
Let’s look at how the FA’s small sided game philosophy can help pupil performance across GCSE PE. The use of this philosophy, alongside the FA 6 core capabilities and core moves will provide staff and pupils with a framework for improved practical performance both in football and across other sports.
The essence of the FA's philosophy lies in power of small-sided games. By reducing team sizes, players experience increased ball touches, improved technical ability and spatial awareness. These sessions go beyond the traditional drill-based approach, encouraging dynamic decision-making and teamwork – qualities that are transferable across multiple sports. Have a look at the benefits of small sided games here - https://learn.englandfootball.com/articles/resources/2022/Why-you-should-try-3v3-small-sided-games
The FA's 6 capabilities for the skilful player – timing, techniques, deception, movement, scanning and positioning – serve as a blueprint for skill development. Integrating these capabilities into GCSE PE football sessions not only enhances football-specific skills but also lays the groundwork for a versatile pupil excelling in diverse sports scenarios. To gain a greater understanding of this framework please have a look at this England Football Learning article - https://learn.englandfootball.com/articles/resources/2023/What-are-The-FAs-six-core-capabilities
As students engage in football sessions in line with the FA's small-sided game philosophy, practical scores in GCSE PE will improve. The increased touches, dynamic decision-making, and working in small groups will contribute to a greater understanding of attacking and defending principles. This understanding becomes an asset when students are assessed in various sports, enabling them to showcase a broader skill set and strategic knowledge.
The beauty of small-sided games lies in their design. The principles of teamwork, quick decision-making, and spatial awareness developed in football sessions are easily transferable to other invasion and team sports. Whether it be basketball, hockey, or rugby, student’s performing well in small-sided games are better equipped to overcome the challenges posed by different sports, consequently enhancing their performance in a range of GCSE PE practical assessments. Once students have mastered the individual tactics of a game, it is a great idea to look at how your players combine and connect with one another. A great way to do this is to introduce and develop eleven core FA moves with your students. This England Football Learning blog below looks into you can do this with your students and help them to score. https://community.thefa.com/coaching/b/insights-analysis-blogs/posts/2-and-3-player-core-moves-in-goalscoring
Insights of a GCSE PE Moderator
In a recent interview with a current Head of PE, who also serves as an area moderator for OCR, invaluable insights were shared regarding effective teaching strategies and plans for GCSE football. The experienced educator emphasised the benefit of incorporating small-sided games into both GCSE football lessons and moderation days. We discussed past moderation experiences, the Head of PE expressed the benefits of steering away from 11 v 11 scenarios, highlighting the potential challenges observed during moderation days.
Furthermore, the moderator advocated for the use of conditioned activities and small-sided games over isolated practices. Citing the positive impact of their school's collaboration with the local football club academy and its coaching staff, the Head of PE emphasised the benefits of enhancing student and staff knowledge of the GCSE PE football specification. This collaboration not only upskills staff but also helps students in moving up performance bands.
The moderator strongly recommended transitioning from static drills to game-related activities and small-sided games. This shift, according to the interviewee, developed better decision-making among students and enables the practical application of attacking and defending principles, not just in football but across to other invasion games. The emphasis was on an environment that encourages students to showcase their decision-making abilities in real-game scenarios.
The moderator highlighted the significance of small-sided games, core moves, and the Football Association's six capabilities in helping students transfer their holistic skills to other invasion games. This approach, the Head of PE believes, contributes to a development of students' practical performances, thereby positively influencing their performance in other GCSE PE assessments.
Influencing other sports and GCSE performance.
Embracing the FA's philosophy will potentially help pupils’ performance across all invasion game sports. As students develop their skills through small-sided games, they not only become more skilful footballers but also understand how they can transfer the 6 core capabilities and core moves to the demands of different sports. This holistic approach not only benefits GCSE PE practical scores but shows the pupils how they can apply attacking and defending principles to other sports.
Some session ideas for you
Below are some England Football Learning session YouTube links which could be used with your pupils and highlight the topics discussed in this piece.
Overloaded session:3v3 with target players
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nYjUqJXUwA
Three-player moves, overloads, underloads and matched up numbers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiMFCqoXsF4
Parallel Games
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woACDf8WaD0
In summary, by planning GCSE PE football sessions with the FA's small-sided game philosophy is a catalyst for stronger practical performance. The benefits extend beyond football, offering students an opportunity to become more skilful players. As teachers embrace this approach, they not only enhance GCSE PE football scores but also contribute to the development of their performance in other sports. The integration of small-sided games, core moves and the FA’s 6 capabilities, is a great framework for more skilful players, improved performance at GCSE level and most importantly creates sessions which are fun for our students.
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