How can we combat playtime football problems?
Q: At our school we were experiencing many unhappy boys at playtime, mostly concerning football and rules. Many children were getting balls kicked towards faces etc. We introduced a rota system whereby each year group played football on a designated day of the week. Also we banned all home footballs as some were leather and causing many bumps. Now the children only play with 2 special weighted footballs which cannot be kicked above knee height. It has completely eliminated the arguments involved around who is and who is not allowed to play. We have had far less arguments and playtime all round has been a happier experience. Please let me know of any good ideas you have in regard to happier playtime experiences.
Jenny: Football can often set the tone for the whole ethos of the school! If pupils are allowed to get away with name calling when anyone makes a mistake at football, and, in addition, the game is not governed by any firm agreed rules, then the other children see this ethos as being the governing one. Like you, I don’t believe its necessary to ban football but we do advocate 'football parliaments'. Once a lunchtime policy is in full swing we turn our attention to football. We agree in assembly that football is not a right, it’s a privilege and that any pupils who think they might want to play football during the term need to attend. Together you and your pupils have come up with some brilliant ideas, you have gone for the rota option, the real truth is however, that the children now feel safe; they know exactly what is expected and what will and will not be tolerated.
It is essential that there is a clearly identified, painted zoned area where football can take place. You need to display your agreed football rota. Circle Times for one week should focus on ideas for making football better. Two representatives from each class circle time should attend a special school council meeting with the head teacher and lunchtime supervisors. Some schools have made individual football contracts, which are signed by each child agreeing to the rules, a supervisor is then trained as a referee, a yellow card is shown for a warning and a red card means they are 'off'. When they go off they have to hand in either their football badge or football sash. Later they can re-apply through an application form to re-join the football rota. It doesn't really matter what strategies and ideas you evolve as a school; what matters is that the children perceive you all working together to create an emotionally safe environment. If football is left to drift in the hands of a few dominating children it does not help the children to trust your systems.
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