Tactics

A game plan/strategy/formation/system of play made up before/during a game to increase chance of success/take advantage of strengths/limit weaknesses/limit opponents’ strengths/ protect own weaknesses. 

Our opponents used an unexpected defence/ changed their tactic and we couldn’t score.

We were winning and we had a man sent off, so we wanted to protect our lead. 

We were winning at the end of the game and we wanted to stop our opponents scoring. 

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We were losing near the end of the game and we needed to score. 

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Team/individual strengths. Opponents’ strengths. Team/individual weaknesses. Opponents’ weaknesses. Weather conditions. How much time remaining. Team mate/opponent sent off/injured. Physical/mental demands of activity. We were winning/losing. Result required. When you would use the tactic in the

game.

To avoid being dragged out of position.

To pass on information.

To maintain focus/ concentration/shape.

To alert a team mate.

To encourage/motivate/give confidence to team mates.

For your tactics to work it is important that you and your team mates have good verbal and non verbal communication.

In basketball, for example, you need to be able to respond to spoken instructions and advice from your teacher/coach and team mates as you change from defence to attack and back again.

At times non-verbal signals may be more effective than verbal signals- When being marked tightly you can signal by (raising your arm, moving to the side, cutting and moving into space) this can work better than calling for the ball as opponents will be unaware of non verbal signals.

Describe an attacking tactic.

Hockey-as I approached a defender I passed the ball to a team mate and then ran past the defender to get the ball back.

Describe how this attacking tactic creates or uses space.

The defender moved to the ball leaving me an open space to run into.

Describe a problem you experienced in this tactic.

The defender did not move to the ball but tracked my run so that I could not get the return pass.

Describe the new attacking tactic you used.

The player I passed the ball to, did not attempt the return pass, but turned and shot himself.

In all competitive activities the aim is to win. A variety of tactics and strategies can be used to outwit and outmanoeuvre opponents. Before most activities begin, competitors have a ‘game plan’.

What tactics are being used in this race?

The front runner is trying to increase the pace early in the hope of building up a big enough lead and tire out the opposition.

The winner goes at his own pace streamlining behind the other runners.

The same tactic is used in cycling with competitors using the leader as a windbreak to help them save energy.

In badminton players play to their strengths.

Some players are more defensive and wait until their opponent makes a mistake rather than dictating the play.

Other players are more attack minded and use the tactic of all out attack to finish off the rally early

In football or hockey teams sometimes use this tactic as a means to score a goal.

The tactic uses a teams strength to good effect

(i) Tall player up front, play balls long in the air for them to head the ball down for supporting players

(ii) If you have fast attackers who can run on to the ball.

Weakness opposition (i) Small defenders (ii) Slow defenders

More touches/possession of the ball.

More chance to perform the skills of the game.

  More chances to score goals/points.

  Less pressure when in possession.

More time to perform skills when in possession.

Pitch/court less crowded/more space to play in.

Benefits of small sided games

Attacking team always has a free player to pass to.

Easier for attacking team to get a shot at goal/more shots at goal.

Defending team can practice under increased pressure.

Team Game

Team size Effect on skill learning

Effect on performance

FootballBasketballHockey

5v5 instead of 11v113v3 instead of 5v55v5 instead of 11v11

I get more touches of the balland more chance to perform the skills in the game situationand it is easier to perform the skills because I have more space to play in.

I have more time and less pressure when I get the ball and it is easier to pass to one of my team mates because thepitch/court is less crowded.