Grade 10 Physical Education Study Notes

Welcome to the Games Strand

In Grade 10 Physical Education, the Games strand covers four ball games: Football, Netball, Basketball and Badminton.

In each game you will learn specific techniques that make play fair and competitive. You will also develop teamwork, communication and fair play — values that go far beyond the sports field.

Football is the first game. It covers how play starts and restarts, how attackers create chances, how defenders close them down, and how the goalkeeper guards the goal.

What Football Is

Football is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players each — one goalkeeper and ten outfield players. The aim is to score more goals than the opposing team.

A standard match has two halves of 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute break in between.

• The ball is in play as long as it stays inside the field boundaries.
• It is out of play when it completely crosses the sidelines or end lines.
• A goal is scored when the ball fully crosses the goal line, between the posts and under the crossbar.

Play starts and restarts in specific ways according to the rules. The five restart skills are: kick-off, corner kick, goal kick, free kick and throw-in.

Kick-off

A kick-off is used to start or restart play at three moments:

• The start of each half
• The start of extra time
• To restart after a goal is scored

Rules

• The ball is placed on the centre mark of the halfway line.
• All players except the kicker must be in their own half.
• Opponents must stay at least 9.15 metres away from the ball.
• The ball is in play once kicked to a teammate.
• The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has played it.

Body Position

The kicker stands with the non-kicking foot beside the ball, body facing the direction of the pass, and uses a controlled swing of the kicking leg to push the ball to a teammate.

Corner Kick

A corner kick restarts play when the ball goes out over the end line, no goal was scored, and it was last touched by a defending player.

Rules

• An attacking player takes the kick from the corner arc nearest to where the ball went out.
• The ball is placed inside the corner arc.
• Opponents must be at least 9.15 metres away until the ball is kicked.
• The ball is in play once kicked into the field.
• The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player plays it.

How to Take a Corner Kick

1. Take 3–4 steps behind the ball.
2. Approach at a slight angle.
3. Plant the non-kicking foot beside the ball, toes pointing toward the penalty area.
4. Strike with the inside of the foot, aiming into the penalty area.
5. Keep the head up toward the target — not looking down at the ball.

Goal Kick

A goal kick restarts play when the ball crosses the end line, was last touched by an attacking player, and no goal was scored.

Rules

• The ball is placed anywhere inside the goal area.
• Taken by the goalkeeper or any defending player.
• Opponents must stay outside the goal area until the ball is kicked.
• The ball is in play once kicked outside the goal area.
• The kicker cannot touch it again until another player plays it.

How to Take a Goal Kick

1. Place the ball inside the goal area.
2. Take a short run-up.
3. Plant the non-kicking foot beside the ball.
4. Strike with the instep and follow through toward your teammate.

Free Kick

A free kick is awarded after a foul or rule violation. Opponents must stand at least 9.15 metres from the ball.

There are two types:

Direct Free Kick

A direct free kick allows the kicker to shoot directly at goal. It is awarded for serious or physical fouls:

• Kicking, pushing, tripping or jumping at an opponent
• Forceful contact with an opponent
• Holding or pulling an opponent's clothes
• Deliberate handball

Rules

• Ball placed at the spot of the foul.
• Opponents at least 9.15 metres away.
• A goal can be scored directly — no pass required.

How to Take It

1. Short run-up toward the ball.
2. Plant the non-kicking foot beside the ball.
3. Strike with the instep toward goal.
4. Follow through in the direction of the target.

Indirect Free Kick

An indirect free kick means the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored. It is awarded for technical or non-contact fouls:

• Offside
• Goalkeeper holding the ball for more than 6 seconds
• Goalkeeper touching the ball after a deliberate back-pass from a teammate
• Dangerous play — e.g. raising a foot near an opponent's head
• A player preventing the goalkeeper from distributing the ball

Rules

• Ball placed at the spot of the foul.
• Opponents at least 9.15 metres away.
• A goal cannot be scored unless another player touches the ball first.

Throw-in

A throw-in restarts play when the ball crosses the touchline (sideline). The opposing team takes the throw from the exact point where the ball went out.

Rules

• Use both hands and throw the ball over the head.
• Both feet must be on the ground, on or behind the touchline.
• The thrower cannot touch the ball again until another player plays it.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
• Opponents must keep 2 metres away from the thrower.

If the rules are broken, the throw-in is given to the opposing team.

How to Perform a Throw-in

Grip: Hold the ball with both hands, fingers spread behind the ball, both thumbs pointing toward each other behind it.

1. Stand on or behind the touchline.
2. Bring the ball behind your head.
3. Throw it over your head toward a teammate.
4. Keep both feet on the ground throughout.

Choosing the Correct Restart Skill

In a real game, you must quickly decide which restart applies. Getting it wrong gives the other team an advantage.

Teamwork and Communication During Restarts

Restart skills need more than individual technique — they require teamwork and communication.

• Kick-off: teammates get into position and prepare to build play.
• Corner kick: attackers make runs into the penalty area; the kicker picks a target.
• Throw-in: teammates move and call for the ball.
• Free kick: the team quickly decides whether to shoot directly or pass short.

Communication means calling for the ball, pointing to show your position, and warning teammates of incoming defenders.

Accepting the referee's decision — even when it goes against your team — and restarting correctly shows fair play and integrity.

Lofted Pass, Marking and Dodging

This section covers three skills that work together during attacking and defensive play:

• Lofted pass — an attacking technique to send the ball over defenders.
• Marking — a defensive skill to shadow and cover opponents.
• Dodging — an attacking technique to escape markers and create space.

The defender marks; the attacker dodges. Understanding both sides makes you a better player.

Lofted Pass

A lofted pass sends the ball high into the air over defenders, allowing a teammate to run onto it in open space.

It is useful for:

• Breaking defensive lines — lifting the ball over a row of defenders
• Switching play — sending the ball across the field to an unmarked teammate
• Bypassing multiple defenders with one well-placed ball

The ball must land where a teammate can control it without losing possession. The passer must judge the correct elevation and weight quickly.

Lofted Pass — Stance

Stance is the body position taken before making contact with the ball. Getting it right sets up everything that follows.

1. Stand feet shoulder-width apart for balance.
2. Place your non-kicking foot beside the ball, toes pointing toward the target.
3. Turn your body slightly sideways — hips and shoulders facing the target.
4. Bend your knees slightly to stay balanced and generate power.
5. Extend your kicking leg backward to prepare the swing.

The non-kicking foot acts as an anchor — its position beside the ball controls the direction of the pass.

Lofted Pass — Contact

Contact is the moment the foot meets the ball. This phase determines how high the ball travels.

1. Strike with the instep — the broad, laced area on top of the boot.
2. Hit the lower part of the ball — below its midpoint — to lift it into the air.
3. Lean back slightly as you kick to help raise the ball.

Striking the lower half of the ball with the instep while leaning back sends the ball upward rather than along the ground.