Games

EYFS

By the end of EYFS children are able to:

• Describe how their body feels when still and when exercising.
• Hit a ball with a bat or racquet.
• Roll equipment in different ways.
• Throw underarm, throw an object at a target and catch equipment using two hands.
• Move a ball in different ways, including bouncing and kicking.
• Use equipment to control a ball.
• Kick an object at a target.
• Move safely around the space and equipment.
• Travel in different ways, including sideways and backwards.
• Play a range of chasing games.
• Follow simple rules.
• Control their body when performing a sequence of movements.
• Participate in simple games.

Year 1

By the end of Year 1 children are able to: 

• Describe how their body feels when still and when exercising.
• Carry and place equipment safely.
• Use hitting skills in a game.
• Practice basic striking, sending and receiving.
• Throw underarm and overarm.
• Catch and bounce a ball.
• Use rolling skills in a game.
• Practice accurate throwing and consistent catching.
• Travel with a ball in different ways and in different directions.
• Pass the ball to another player in a game.
• Use kicking skills in a game.
• Use different ways of travelling in different directions or pathways.
• Run at different speeds.
• Begin to use space in a game.
• Begin to use the terms attacking and defending.
• Use simple defensive skills such as marking a player or defending a space.
• Use simple attacking skills such as dodging to get past a defender.
• Follow simple rules to play games, including team games.
• Perform using a range of actions and body parts with some coordination.
• Perform learnt skills with some control.
• Engage in competitive activities and team games.

Year 2

By the end of Year 2 children are able to:  

• Recognise and describe how the body feels during and after different physical activities.
• Explain what a body needs to stay healthy.
• Strike or hit a ball with increasing control.
• Learn skills for playing striking and fielding games.
• Position the body well to strike a ball.
• Throw different types of equipment in different ways, for accuracy and distance.
• Throw, catch and bounce a ball with a partner.
• Use throwing and catching skills in a game.
• Throw a ball for distance.
• Use hand-eye coordination to control a ball.
• Vary the types of throw used.
• Bounce and kick a ball while moving.
• Use kicking and dribbling skills in a game.
• Know how to pass the ball in different ways.
• Use different ways of travelling at different speeds and following different pathways, directions or courses.
• Change speed and direction while running.
• Begin to choose and use the best space in a game.
• Begin to use and understand the terms attacking and defending.
• Use at least one technique to attack or defend to play a game successfully.
• Understand the importance of rules in games.
• Use at least one technique to attack or defend to play a game successfully.
• Perform learnt skills with increasing control.
• Compete against themselves and others.

Year 3

By the end of Year 3 children are able to:  

• Recognise and describe the effects of exercise on the body.
• Know the importance of strength and flexibility for physical activity.
• Explain why it is important to warm up and cool down.
• Be able to demonstrate successful hitting and striking skills.
• Develop a range of skills in striking and fielding.
• Practice correct batting techniques and apply these to games.
• Strike the ball for distance.
• Throw and catch with greater control and accuracy.
• Practice the correct technique for catching a ball and use it in a game.
• Perform a range of catching and gathering skills with control and accuracy.
• Throw a ball in different ways.
• Develop a safe and effective overarm bowl.
• Move with the ball in a variety of ways with some control.
• Use two different ways of moving with a ball in a game.
• Pass the ball in two different ways in a game situation.
• Know how to keep and win back possession of the ball in a team game.
• Find a useful space and use it to support teammates.
• Use simple attacking and defending skills in a game.
• Use fielding skills to stop a ball from travelling past them.
• Apply and follow rules fairly.
• Understand and begin to apply the basic principles of invasion games.
• Know how to place a striking and fielding game fairly.
• Compete against themselves and others in a controlled manner.
• Watch, describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a performance.

Year 4

By the end of Year 4 children are able to:  

• Describe how the body reacts at different times and how this affects performance.
• Explain why exercise is good for your health.
• Know some reasons for warming up and cooling down.
• Use a bat, racquet or stick to hit a ball or shuttlecock with accuracy and control.
• Accurately serve underarm.
• Build a rally with a partner.
• Use at least two different shots in a game situation.
• Use hand-eye coordination to strike a moving and stationary ball.
• Develop different ways of throwing and catching.
• Move with the ball using a range of techniques showing control and fluency.
• Pass the ball with increasing speed, accuracy and success in a game situation.
• Occasionally contribute towards helping their team to keep and win back possession of the ball in a team game.
• Make the best use of space to pass and receive the ball.
• Use a range of attacking and defending techniques in a game.
• Use fielding skills to prevent a player from scoring.
• Vary the tactics used in a game.
• Adapt rules to alter games.
• Perform and apply skills and techniques with control and accuracy.
• Take part in a range of competitive games and activities.
• Modify their use of skills or techniques to achieve a better result.
• Watch, describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a performance.

Year 5

By the end of Year 5 children are able to:  

• Understand the reasons for warming up and cooling down.
• Explain some safety principles when preparing for and during exercise.
• Use different techniques to hit a ball.
• Identify and apply techniques for hitting a tennis ball.
• Explore when different shots are best used.
• Develop a backhand technique and use it in a game.
• Practise techniques for all strokes.
• Play a tennis game using an overhead serve.
• Consolidate different ways of throwing and catching, and know when each is appropriate in a game.
• Use a variety of ways to dribble in a game.
• Use ball skills in different ways.
• Pass a ball with speed and accuracy using appropriate techniques in a game situation.
• Keep and win back possession of the ball effectively in a team game.
• Demonstrate an increasing awareness of space.
• Choose the best tactics for attacking and defending.
• Shoot in a game.
• Use fielding skills as a team to prevent the opposition from scoring.
• Know when to pass and when to dribble in a game.
• Devise and adapt rules to create their own game.
• Consistently perform and apply skills and techniques with accuracy and control.
• Take part in competitive games with a strong understand of tactics and composition.
• Choose and use criteria to evaluate performances.
• Explain why they have used particular skills or techniques, and the effect they have had on their performance.

Year 6

By the end of Year 6 children are able to: 

• Understand the importance of warming up and cooling down.
• Carry out warm-ups and cool-downs safely and effectively.
• Understand why exercise is good for health, fitness and wellbeing.
• Know ways in which they can become healthier.
• Hit a bowled ball over longer distances.
• Use good hand-eye coordination to be able to direct a ball when striking or hitting.
• Understand how to serve in order to start a game.
• Throw and catch accurately and successfully under pressure in a game.
• Show confidence in using ball skills in various ways in a game situation, and link these together effectively.
• Choose and make the best pass in a game situation and link a range of skills together with fluency e.g. passing and receiving the ball on the move.
• Keep and win back possession of the ball effectively and in a variety of ways in a team game.
• Demonstrate a good awareness of space.
• Think ahead and create a plan or attack or defence.
• Apply their knowledge of the skills of attacking and defending.
• Work as a team to develop fielding strategies to prevent the opposition from scoring.
• Follow and create complex rules to play a game successfully.
• Communicate plans to others during a game.
• Lead others during a game.
• Perform and apply a variety of skills and techniques confidently and with precision.
• Take part in competitive games with a strong understanding of tactics and composition.
• Thoroughly evaluate their own and others work, suggesting thoughtful and appropriate improvements.