Athletics & Wellness Grade 7 45 min

Talk the Talk: Communicating What You See to Your Team

Being a great teammate isn't just about your own skills; it's about helping everyone play better together. This lesson will teach you how to see what's happening in a game and communicate it clearly to give your team the winning edge.

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What & Why

'Reading the game' means you're not just watching the ball; you're seeing the whole picture. You notice where players are moving, you guess what the other team might do next, and you spot opportunities.But seeing it is only half the battle! 'Talking the talk' means you share that information with your teammates out loud. Why? Because you can't be everywhere at once! When you communicate, you act as a second set of eyes for your teammates, helping them avoid trouble and make smarter plays. Good communication turns a good team into a great one.
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Example 1 — Basketball

Scenario: Defending a ScreenYou are guarding your player, but you see an opponent run up to set a screen (a block) on your teammate, who is guarding the player with the ball.See It: You notice the opponent moving to block your teammate's path. Your teammate is focused on the ball and doesn't see it coming.Say It: You yell loudly and clearly, "Screen left!" or "Watch your left!"The Result: Your teammate hears you, adjusts their position to get around the screen, and prevents the other team from getting an easy shot. You worked together without even touching the ball!
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Example 2 — Soccer

Scenario: Warning a TeammateYour teammate has the ball at their feet and is looking upfield for a pass. You see a defender from the other team running up quickly behind them to steal the ball.See It: You spot the defender closing in. Your teammate is vulnerable because they are focused on passing, not on who is behind them.Say It: You shout a simple, urgent phrase: "Man on!" or "Pressure!"The Result: Your teammate instantly knows to protect the ball, turn away from the pressure, or make a quick pass. You just saved your team from losing possession.

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Sample Practice Questions

Beginner
A volleyball is hit high and is coming down right between you and a teammate. What is the most effective action to take?
A.Wait to see what your teammate does first.
B.Run at the ball as fast as you can.
C.Loudly and clearly call "Mine!" and then move to play the ball.
D.Assume your teammate will get it and stay put.
Beginner
What does the term 'reading the game' mean?
A.Checking the scoreboard to see the score.
B.Understanding and predicting what might happen next based on player positions and movement.
C.Listening to what the other team is yelling.
D.Reading the rulebook during a time-out.
Beginner
In soccer, you have the ball and hear your teammate yell "Time!". What does this likely mean?
A.The game is almost over.
B.You have space and are not under pressure from a defender.
C.You should take a shot at the goal immediately.
D.You should pass the ball back to them.

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More from Play the Game — Tactics & Strategy — Reading the Game

Be a Game Detective: Spotting Clues on the Field Finding the Open Space: Making Smart Moves on Offense Predict and Protect: Anticipating the Opponent's Next Move Winning the Switch: Mastering Offense-to-Defense Transitions The 'If-Then' Challenge: Making Quick Decisions Under Pressure
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Frequently asked questions

What grade level is "Talk the Talk: Communicating What You See to Your Team"?

Talk the Talk: Communicating What You See to Your Team is a Grade 7 Athletics & Wellness lesson on ExcelOS.

What will I learn in Talk the Talk: Communicating What You See to Your Team?

Being a great teammate isn't just about your own skills; it's about helping everyone play better together. This lesson will teach you how to see what's happening in a game and communicate it clearly to give your team the winning edge.

Is "Talk the Talk: Communicating What You See to Your Team" free to practice?

Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.

How many practice questions are included with Talk the Talk: Communicating What You See to Your Team?

This lesson includes 12 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.

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