--- title: "Invasion Games KS1 & KS2 Lesson Plans" url: https://thepehub.co.uk/activities/invasion-games/ description: "Our Invasion Games guide provides an intro to teaching Invasion Games to Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2 children, including free example lesson plans" --- # Invasion Games Guide ## Activity Overview Invasion Games aims to introduce children to simple ball-handling skills, movement into space and basic teamwork through activities inspired by sports like football, netball, hockey and tag rugby. Lessons typically focus on passing and receiving, finding space, staying with a partner, and understanding the idea of attacking and defending in very simplified forms. Common activities include keep-ball games in small groups, scoring by placing a beanbag in a target area, or moving with a ball while avoiding gentle defenders. These tasks help pupils build coordination, spatial awareness, decision-making and confidence while working with others. Below you’ll find key information on Invasion Games, and an example free KS1 Invasion Games lesson plan, from our Attack Defend Shoot unit of work. You'll also find some free KS2 lesson plans, which is suitable for teaching the key principles underpinning Invasion Games to older KS2 students. ## Age Range ### Age Range Invasion Games are introduced in Reception and the Foundation Stage, developing basic movement and ball skills. At Key Stage 1, pupils build on these to prepare for simplified sports at Key Stage 2, with consistent teaching principles applied throughout. ✅ Foundation ✅ Key Stage 1 ✅ Key Stage 2 ### Illustration Diagrams Invasion Games plays a significant role in teaching children basic key patterns, techniques and physical skills for the broader range of sports they will start playing at Key Stage 2. Our illustration diagrams serve as a visual guide for students and teachers, and are perfect for printing and putting on the wall. [Passing Illustration Guide](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/football-passing-on-the-move-1330/) ## Free Invasion Games KS1 Lesson Plan ### [Year 1 Attack Defend Shoot Unit 2](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-1-attack-defend-shoot-unit-2-98/) To recognise rules and apply them. Use and apply simple strategies for invasion games. Preparing for and explaining the reasons why we enjoy exercise. 6 Lesson Plans · 6 Resources - [Year 1 Attack Defend Shoot Unit 2 Lesson 3](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-1-attack-defend-shoot-unit-2-98/lessons/year-1-attack-defend-shoot-unit-2-lesson-3-218/) — 1. To develop control when bouncing and passing a ball 2. To work with a partner to move towards a target 3. To understand how to defend by intercepting or blocking passes **We are learning:** to bounce a ball with control **Activity:** 2 v 1 bouncing into hoops ### [Year 3 Basketball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-3-basketball-6/) Perform some basic basketball skills, throwing, catching and dribbling. Build attacking/offensive play. Implement some basic rules of basketball. 6 Lesson Plans · 13 Resources - [Year 3 Basketball Lesson 4](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-3-basketball-6/lessons/year-3-basketball-lesson-4-373/) — 1. Use a two-handed technique to perform a basketball shot 2. To apply passing, dribbling and shooting skills in a game 3. Assist teammates in a game to shoot **We are learning:** to perform a two-handed set shot to score. **Activity:** Half-court game, turns over when team score. ### [Year 3 Netball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-3-netball-28/) Perform basic netball skills such as passing and catching using recognised throws. Implement the basic rules of netball. 6 Lesson Plans · 13 Resources - [Year 3 Netball Lesson 5](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-3-netball-28/lessons/year-3-netball-lesson-5-408/) — 1. Throw over longer distances using shoulder pass 2. Recognise which throw is needed over shorter & longer distances 3. Use shoulder pass in a game to build attacking play **We are learning:** to throw for distance using a shoulder pass **Activity:** AFL task – Cone touch challenge ### [Year 4 Tag Rugby](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-4-tag-rugby-51/) Consistently perform basic tag rugby skills. Implement rules and develop tactics in competitive situations. 6 Lesson Plans · 19 Resources - [Year 4 Tag Rugby Lesson 2](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-4-tag-rugby-51/lessons/year-4-tag-rugby-lesson-2-515/) — 1. To pick up the ball quickly and effectively. 2. To keep possession by supporting the ball carrier. 3. To work as a team to move the ball into space and attack. **We are learning:** to pick the ball up from the floor and run with it to start an attack **Activity:** Breakout Tag ### [Year 5 Football](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-5-football-11/) Play effectively in a variety of positions and formations. Relate a greater number of attacking and defensive tactics. 6 Lesson Plans · 22 Resources - [Year 5 Football Lesson 1](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-5-football-11/lessons/year-5-football-lesson-1-569/) — 1. Turn with the ball unchallenged 2. Receive the ball and turn into space 3. Receive the ball and turn to shoot **We are learning:** to turn with the ball **Activity:** Assessment for Learning Task ### [Year 6 Hockey](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-6-hockey-1/) Choose and implement a range of strategies and tactics. Combine and perform more complex skills at great speed. Recognise and describe good individual and team performances. 6 Lesson Plans · 22 Resources - [Year 6 Hockey Lesson 1](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-6-hockey-1/lessons/year-6-hockey-lesson-1-696/) — 1. Play the role of both the defender and the attacker 2. Shoot from close range 3. Score points against opposition **We are learning:** to shoot under pressure from close range **Activity:** Assessment for Learning Task ### Paid Subscriber Content Here At The PE Hub, we provide a comprehensive range of Invasion Games lessons for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. For Key Stage 1, Invasion Games are delivered through our Attack, Defend, Shoot units of work. These include 24 progressive lesson plans across Year 1 and Year 2, organised into four units of work. For Key Stage 2, we offer a broad selection of Invasion Games units covering basketball, football, hockey, tag rugby, netball, handball and lacrosse. These units are fully resourced and designed to build on the fundamental skills introduced in Key Stage 1. If you’d like to see the platform in action, please get in touch to arrange a demo. [Book a Demo](https://thepehub.co.uk/demo/) ## Invasion Games FAQs ### What are Invasion Games in primary PE? Invasion Games are activities where one team tries to move an object (usually a ball) into a scoring area while the other team tries to stop them. They are simplified versions of sports such as football, netball, hockey, basketball and tag rugby, adapted so younger pupils can learn core skills. ### Are Invasion Games part of the primary PE national curriculum? Yes. Invasion Games are specified in the national curriculum for Key Stage 1. The national curriculum states that "Pupils should be taught to... participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending." Invasion Games are one of the most common ways schools deliver these requirements in a structured and age-appropriate way. Students later translate these skills into playing simplified versions of common sports at Key Stage 2. ### What do Invasion Games look like at Key Stage 1? In KS1, Invasion Games are taught through very simple tasks such as keeping possession in small groups, moving with a ball into a target area, or passing to a partner while defenders apply gentle pressure. Activities focus on basic movement skills, such as running, dodging and changing direction, as well as communication, sharing, and learning to work as part of a team. ### What equipment is needed to teach KS1 Invasion Games? Most KS1 Invasion Games can be taught with the same small set of basic PE equipment used to teach simplified versions of sports to Key Stage 2 pupils. Typically this includes soft balls (foam or size 3 footballs), beanbags, cones, floor markers, bibs and target areas such as buckets or hoops. ## Access our invasion games lesson plans today Sign up for a subscription to The PE Hub to access all our Key Stage 1 invasion games lesson plans [Sign Up Now](https://thepehub.co.uk/register/?orderType=PURCHASE) ## Free Invasion Games Resources - [Basketball - Set Shot](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/basketball-set-shot-826/) — Basketball - [Basketball Equipment List](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/basketball-equipment-list-1957/) — Basketball · PE Leader - [Basketball Glossary](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/basketball-glossary-1701/) — Basketball - [Basketball Simplified Rules](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/basketball-simplified-rules-26/) — Basketball · Rules - [Basketball Two handed shot](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/basketball-two-handed-shot-32/) — Basketball · Illustrations - [Chest Pass](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/chest-pass-49/) — Attack Defend Shoot · Basketball · Handball · Netball · Illustrations - [Football - Penalty shot](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/football-penalty-shot-868/) — Football - [Football - Safety](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/football-safety-870/) — Football - [Football - Turning with the ball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/football-turning-with-the-ball-895/) — Football - [Football Equipment List](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/football-equipment-list-1952/) — Football - [Football Glossary](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/football-glossary-114/) — Football - [Football Passing on the Move](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/football-passing-on-the-move-1330/) — Attack Defend Shoot · Football · Illustrations - [Football Rules](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/football-rules-105/) — Football · Rules - [Hand position when catching](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/hand-position-when-catching-140/) — Handball - [Handball Court Markings](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/handball-court-markings-143/) — Handball - [Handball Glossary](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/handball-glossary-145/) — Handball - [Handball Rules](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/handball-rules-149/) — Handball · Rules - [High Five Netball Position](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/high-five-netball-position-1716/) — Netball - [Marking the Ball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/marking-the-ball-presentation-331/) — Netball · Presentations - [Netball Equipment List](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/netball-equipment-list-1960/) — Netball · PE Leader - [Netball Glossary](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/netball-glossary-1700/) — Netball - [Netball Positions & Court Markings](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/netball-positions-court-markings-1235/) — Netball - [Netball Rules](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/netball-rules-330/) — Netball · Rules - [Pop Lacrosse Quick Rules](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/pop-lacrosse-quick-rules-373/) — Lacrosse · Rules - [Shoulder Pass](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/shoulder-pass-presentation-554/) — Netball · Presentations - [Tag Rugby - Pick Up](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tag-rugby-pick-up-1004/) — Tag Rugby - [Tag Rugby Equipment List](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tag-rugby-equipment-list-1951/) — PE Leader · Tag Rugby - [Tag Rugby Glossary](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tag-rugby-glossary-1705/) — Tag Rugby - [Tag Rugby Picking up the ball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tag-rugby-picking-up-the-ball-1535/) — Tag Rugby · Illustrations - [Tag Rugby Rules](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tag-rugby-rules-440/) — Tag Rugby · Rules - [Tag Rugby Running with the Ball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tag-rugby-running-with-the-ball-439/) — Tag Rugby · Illustrations - [Tag Rugby Tag Protocol](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tag-rugby-tag-protocol-1533/) — Tag Rugby · Illustrations - [Tag Rugby W Grip](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tag-rugby-w-grip-442/) — Tag Rugby · Illustrations - [Tennis Scoring Explained](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/tennis-scoring-explained-1363/) — Handball · Tennis - [Year 3 Handball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/year-3-handball-knowledge-card-537/) — Handball · Knowledge Cards · Year 3 - [Year 5 Handball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/year-5-handball-knowledge-card-700/) — Handball · Knowledge Cards · Year 5 - [Year 6 Netball](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/year-6-netball-knowledge-card-594/) — Knowledge Cards · Netball · Year 6