A-League Statistics Lesson Plan

Teacher: Hong Ha Nguyen

Date: October 2016
Subject / grade level: 9
Materials: A-League websites, VCAA year 9 study design
Training area (indoor preferred)
Laptop and Internet Wi-Fi connection
Soccer gears for every student
Pens and notebooks
Handouts
Victoria Curriculum Year 9 Study Design Standards
Investigate reports of surveys in digital media and elsewhere for information on how data were obtained to
estimate population means and medians (VCMSP323)
Identify everyday questions and issues involving at least one numerical and at least one categorical variable,
and collect data directly from secondary sources (VCMSP324)
Perform and refine specialised movement skills in challenging movement situations (VCHPEM152)
Develop, implement and evaluate movement concepts and strategies for successful outcomes (VCHPEM154)
Lesson objective(s):
Students are able to understand what statistics in soccer is and how they are presented.
Students are able to identify correct movements in soccer including passing, tackling, shooting, dribbling.
Students are able to perform data collection with digital technology and estimate the statistic terms. A mobile
phone app will be used in this lesson.
Students are able to find the secondary source for data and statistics using A-league stats as examples.
Differentiation strategies to meet diverse learner needs:
The lesson is investigation-based and performed in groups. Mixed ability groups amongst different learners will
be helpful so they can support others.
The lesson includes different learning media and methods such as videos (for visual learners), demonstration
and practice (for kinesthetic learners), maths concepts (logical and linguistic leaners), using IT apps individually
for investigation (intrapersonal leaners), body movements (interpersonal learners)
ENGAGEMENT 10 mins

Welcoming the class as entering by stating clearly about the lesson objectives which is to identify what factors in soccer will make a team great. We
will get to know about Aussie Socceroo.
As students entering, teachers will check their soccer gears and ask them to prepare for 5 minutes warming up.
The class will warm up in 5 minutes and have a chat about famous soccer players such as David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and
Zidane. What makes them super stars? (Hint : free kicks, dribbling, speed, passing)
What is happening in Australia, what skills are our players good at? Which are the best skills of Tim Cahill who is currently playing for Melbourne
City?

EXPLORATION 30 mins

The class will be divided in groups of 4 with mixed abilities ( two good soccer students with other noncompetitive two)
The group will practice 4 skills with balls including passing, shooting, crossing and tackling
For passing, three students standing in small circle passing the ball to each other with 1 or 2 touches, the other will chase the ball. Teacher needs to
clearly explain the rules.
For shooting, each kid will be given one ball to face the goal and practice shooting in different angles (right, central, left) from about 7meter distance.
In group, students will discuss how to approach shooting in different situations as they are carrying on. (Hint : left-footed vs right-footed)
For dribbling, 4 cones will be line up in a row. A student needs to control the ball running through in zig-zig way. Teacher should demonstrate at least
3 times before students understand what to do.
For tackling, teacher must take safety seriously to avoid any injury. Students practice with balls only first and teacher must do demonstration and

A-League Statistics Lesson Plan

explain slowly how to approach a clean tackle. After 4 or 5 rounds practicing with balls, teacher will decide if they can perform in challenging level with
a student tackling with a student standing in front of the ball. Teacher must warn that it must be clean tackles and do not hurt anybody or themselves.

EXPLANATION 20 mins

Teacher starts class discussion and explanation by calling students to express their ideas about soccer techniques.
Teacher facilitates and solicits students going through high thinking order questions such as
What are the links between technical skills and performance during the match?
What are the links between skills and positions? (Hint : forward, midfield and defensive)
Which special positions has not mentioned so far? (Hint : header skills, goalies and saving skills)
How can we evaluate the judgement so we can compare one player and others? (Hint : we need data collection during performance or playback
videos and data representation in comparable forms such as percentage)
Identify what data source in A-league can we have? (Hint : students have access to the Internet in order to search about it, the recommended
website is http://www.a-league.com.au/stats-centre)

ELABORATION 30 mins

Teacher states clearly about what students need to do in this session as following.
Students will download and install thing counter app on their Android phones. Alternative app on iPhone is Tally Counters. Otherwise, students
without access to phones can work with others.
Teacher hands out user guide (see attachments) and explain about what students will do next. The class will watch the highlight of A-league grand
final 2012 between Brisbane Roars vs Perth Glory Students can choose either side to do the investigation however number of students on each
side should be equal for each side, each student will enter their aspects regarding to defense and attack aspects into the app and keep track of it
during the video.
Aspects are
o Successfully / Unsuccessfully passing
o Tackle / Clean tackle / Clearance / Fouls / Yellow card / Red card
o Shooting attempted / Shooting on target / Score
o Free kicks / Corner kicks / Penalty
o Header / Goal saving
o Touching / Possession Time (can be counted or timed with a timer)
How some data information such as passing accuracy can be calculated from the data collected? ( Hint : Accuracy = Successful passes/total passes)
What judgement can you withdraw about Brisbane Roars win? What does the statistic illustrate? What about fair play and sportsmanship when
Brisbane Roars was given a penalty shoot arguably. Should technology be applied in soccer match?

EVALUATION

The class will be divided into four teams. Each two teams will play against each other for 5 minutes, other students will investigate the performance of
two playing team. Then they swap for another 5 minutes.
Students must have pen and paper to show notes, calculation and verification with other teammates.
Students then give feedbacks to the team they monitor in front of the class in positive manners and language.

Thing Counter Statistic ICT application

Download the app on Google Play named Thing Counters
This app is used to count objects or actions by clicking on mobile
phone screens

Label is name of an object/action

Colour makes it different when having multiple things on the screen
The increment or decrement can be set per click

Features like sound, vibration, voice and display can be turn on/off
It makes the app funny when doing a survey

A set up screen can look like this

It is to monitor the statistic factors in a soccer match for a player
The results should be used as raw data and entered in worksheets
to generate more sensible comments