Unit Plan 28 (Grade 1 PE): Mini-Soccer Skills

Focus: Help students combine locomotor skills, kicking, and simple offense/defense ideas through fun mini-soccer games that build control, movement, and confidence.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: Physical Education (Locomotor Skills • Object Control • Game Play)

Total Unit Duration: 2 core sessions + 2 optional sessions (1–2 weeks), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students begin applying basic movement and object-control skills in a simple game setting through mini-soccer. In Grade 1 PE, this means learning how to move with the ball, keep it close with the feet, change direction, and begin noticing where to go on offense and how to protect space on defense. This unit uses a dribbling-around-cones warm-up and then moves into fun 1v1 and 2v2 mini-soccer games in small grids. The goal is to help students connect running, stopping, turning, and kicking with simple game play in a way that feels active, playful, and successful.

Essential Questions

• How can I control a soccer ball with my feet?
• How do running, stopping, and turning help me in a game?
• What does it mean to move to open space or protect space on defense?
• How can I use simple soccer skills in a fun game?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Perform basic locomotor skills such as running, stopping, turning, and changing direction with improving control during soccer activities.
2. Demonstrate basic kicking and foot-dribbling skills with growing control and direction.
3. Combine locomotor movement and object-control skill in simple soccer game play.
4. Apply movement concepts such as speed, direction, and pathways during mini-soccer games.

Standards Alignment — 1st Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.1a Perform basic locomotor skills (run, hop, gallop, slide, leap, and jump) with improved control and coordination.
  • Example: Students travel across the gym using different locomotor movements in response to teacher cues.
• PE:S1.1c Demonstrate basic object-control skills such as rolling, throwing, catching, kicking, and striking with developing accuracy.
  • Example: Students throw a ball toward a target or catch a ball tossed by a partner.
• PE:S1.1d Combine locomotor and object-control skills in simple movement sequences or games.
  • Example: Students run to retrieve a ball, throw it toward a target, and return to a starting spot.
• PE:S2.1a Apply movement concepts such as speed, direction, levels, and pathways during activities.
  • Example: Students move quickly in straight pathways and slowly in curved pathways during a game.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can dribble a soccer ball with my feet.
• I can kick the ball with more control.
• I can run, stop, and turn during a soccer game.
• I can move to open space and try to protect my goal space.