Unit Plan 4 (Grade 5 PE): Flag Football — Playbook & Coverage

Focus: Develop precise route running, simple play calling, and effective coverage in flag football by helping students select plays based on the defense, throw and catch under pressure, and use containment and help defense.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Physical Education (Invasion Games • Skill Application • Team Strategy & Sportsmanship)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students build flag football understanding through structured route-running, simple offensive decision-making, and team defense. This unit introduces a basic route tree (slant, post, out, hook) so students can learn how to run with purpose instead of just running randomly into space. Students then apply those routes in 5v5 flag football using a simple class playbook with a run, a quick pass, and a deep pass. On defense, students learn how to contain the runner, stay between the receiver and the goal line, and provide help defense when a teammate is beaten. The unit also emphasizes leadership, cooperation, and sportsmanship as students help call plays, rotate roles, and respond positively to mistakes, turnovers, and disagreements.

Essential Questions

• How can running a precise route help the quarterback and the whole team be more successful?
• How do teams decide whether to use a run, quick pass, or deep pass based on what the defense is doing?
• What does strong defense look like in flag football, especially when using containment and help defense?
• How can teams stay cooperative, positive, and in control even when a play does not go as planned?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Perform locomotor movements such as sprinting, stopping, cutting, and changing direction with control while running routes and covering opponents.
2. Throw and catch a football with improving accuracy at a variety of distances while moving or while defended.
3. Combine multiple football skills in sequence, such as run a route → catch → turn upfield or receive snap → read defense → throw to target.
4. Apply simple offensive strategies by using a class playbook, selecting appropriate plays, and recognizing better passing or running opportunities.
5. Apply defensive strategies such as marking, containment, and help defense during 5v5 play.
6. Demonstrate cooperation, leadership, and sportsmanship by helping call plays, rotating roles fairly, and responding calmly to success, mistakes, or disagreements.

Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.5a – Locomotor Skills with Speed, Control, and Transitions Perform locomotor movements (run, hop, jump, leap, slide, gallop, skip) with control, using changes in speed and direction smoothly in game and activity settings.
  • Example: Students use quick accelerations, controlled stops, and sharp directional changes while playing tag, invasion games, or in relay events.
• PE:S1.5c – Throwing & Catching with Accuracy under Pressure Throw (overhand and underhand) and catch different objects accurately over a variety of distances while both the thrower and receiver may be moving or defended.
  • Example: In small-sided handball or basketball-style games, students lead teammates with accurate passes and catch under defensive pressure.
• PE:S1.5f – Combining Multiple Skills in Game Sequences Combine multiple skills (dribble, pass, catch, strike, run, dodge, jump, shoot) fluently and appropriately during game-like sequences.
  • Example: In a modified invasion game, a student dribbles to space, passes to a teammate, cuts toward the goal, receives a return pass, and shoots.
• PE:S2.5d – Offensive Strategies: Creating & Using Advantages Apply basic offensive strategies such as creating numerical advantages, give-and-go, using screens, and selecting high-percentage scoring opportunities.
  • Example: In 3v3 basketball or handball, students set simple screens, drive to draw a defender, then pass to an open teammate for a better shot.
• PE:S2.5e – Defensive Strategies: Marking, Containment, & Help Defense Apply defensive strategies including marking a player, maintaining proper body position, containing attackers, and providing help defense.
  • Example: Students stay between their assigned player and the goal, communicate switches, and step in to help when a teammate is beaten on defense.
• PE:S4.5b – Cooperation, Leadership, and Inclusive Team Behavior Work cooperatively with classmates, take on and rotate leadership roles, and actively include others regardless of skill level or background.
  • Example: During group games, students volunteer as captains or equipment managers, ensure everyone has a role, and invite quieter classmates to join.
• PE:S4.5c – Self-Control, Sportsmanship, and Emotional Regulation Maintain self-control and positive sportsmanship when facing success, mistakes, or disagreements, and demonstrate resilience when tasks are challenging.
  • Example: A student responds calmly to a turnover or loss, acknowledges good play from opponents, and continues trying even when behind in a game.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can run football routes with speed, control, and sharp cuts.
• I can throw and catch accurately at different distances, even when moving or under pressure.
• I can help my team choose a play that fits what the defense is doing.
• I can use containment and help defense to slow down the offense and protect space.
• I can stay calm, cooperative, and positive during games, even if I make a mistake or disagree with a call.