Defending Footy Pups

The crowd are going wild.

CHEERING

Here come the Footy Pups.

# They play like a dream when they work as a team

# Footy Pups, go, go, Footy Pups

# There's Pickles and Rex and Geraldine next

# Footy Pups, go, go, Footy Pups

# Rozzie and Benny and Manager Freddie

# Footy Pups, go, go, Footy Pups

# There's Rachel too and, of course, all of you

# Footy Pups, go, go, Footy Pups

# Go, go, go, go, Footy Pups! #

CHEERING

Rachel Yankey, top international footballer

and all-round sporting superstar.

But when Rachel is not scoring goals for her team,

she's playing with the Footy Pups.

THEY CHEER

Hi, everyone, we've warmed up, so now it's time to get moving.

THEY CHEER

-Hurray! Hurray!

-Yeah!

Today on my team, we have...

number 1. Euston.

CHEERING

Number 2...

Lakindu.

CHEERING

Number 3...

Dajey.

CHEERING

Ah!

Number 4...Anastasia.

CHEERING

Number 5...

Somia.

CHEERING

Number 6...

..Manor.

CHEERING

And joining us are Footy Pups Geraldine and Rozzie.

CHEERING

So that's today's team.

CHEERING

OK, guys, over you come. Fantastic.

OK, it is team-talk time.

Today we are going to look at defending.

Who knows where, on the football pitch, defenders stand?

-Next to the goal.

-Excellent, Lakindu, give me a high-five.

And who knows what you have to do when you are a defender?

Defend the goal.

-Excellent. How do we keep the ball away from the goal?

-Kick it away.

Good, we're going to kick it away. There are three things to remember

when we are defending.

We're going to crouch, look at those attackers

and then move to get in their way. Can you do that with me?

-ALL:

-Crouch, look and move!

OK, so it is your turn now.

Let's go have a practice.

In pairs, my team are taking it in turns to defend their goal.

Crouch, look, keep your eyes on him, and move so he can't get around you.

Oh, well done, keep your eyes on him. Great, arms out for balance.

Oh, well done!

Both players are working really hard here.

-I'm going to stop you!

-Terrific defending from Rachel.

Keep your eyes on him. Oh, nearly.

Go! Good. Keep him out, keep him out.

-Oh, well done.

-It is so important to be alert

and on your toes.

While these guys practise their defending skills,

here's a reminder for you at home.

First you need to crouch like you are a cat waiting to pounce.

You need to look at what the striker is doing,

then move and make yourself as wide as possible.

Now it's your turn.

To see how well you've practised your defending,

I've lined you all up.

I've got my ball, I'm going to dribble down the line at each of you.

You need to crouch, you need to look and move to try and stop me

getting past you. OK, off we go.

So, can they stop Rachel?

Oh! Yes, I got past one! I got past one!

-Great defending.

-Oh, I got past two.

Oh, that is three. Uh-oh. Oh, that is good defending.

Oh, man, I can't get past him.

Oh, yes, I got past four!

-Yes, I'm past five.

-Can Lakindu save the day?

-Oh, no,

-I got tackled!

-Yes.

Oh, I've got to start again.

-Great defending, Geraldine.

-Thanks, Rozzie.

-Do you remember the time we played Wildehampton Wanderers?

-Eeek!

Oh, yes.

Here at Pupton Park,

the Footy Pups are preparing for a tricky match.

It looks like the Cheer-fleaders are trying something tricky too.

THEY SCREAM

Oops, better leave them to practise.

Huddle up, Pups.

We've got a tricky match today against Wildehampton Wanderers.

-Wilde what?

-They are a team of wildebeests.

They're huge!

-And hairy.

-HE LAUGHS

And they are terrible stampeders too.

LOUD RUMBLING

That must be them now!

Whoa!

THEY GRUNT

-How do, Freddie?

-Welcome to Pupton Park.

Make yourselves comfortable.

No time for that, we're heading straight for the pitch.

Hoof it, team.

THE PUPS COUGH

All right, Pups, let's talk tactics.

-I've made these handy models to demonstrate.

-They are so cute.

-Look, mine has even got a bow.

-Don't play with the models, Rozzie!

-Oh!

-Now, the Wildehampton Wanderers are excellent

at stampeding forward,

so we need to be strong in defence. That's where you come in, Geraldine.

Those hairy beasties often take their eye off the ball,

so I want you to run in and rescue it from the stampede.

Oh!

Then we'll dribble the ball up the pitch and...goal!

-Yeah!

-Thank you, Benny. Remember,

work as a team and you can win.

-OK, Freddie. ALL: Go, Pups!

-Oh!

Mind my wee models!

Here on the pitch, the Wildehampton Wanderers are kicking off.

Look at that, the whole team are stampeding up the pitch.

Including the goalie.

Big, hairy wildebeest don't scare me!

Oh, and a fearless Footy Pup has stolen the ball.

It's yours, Rozzie.

Good defence by the Pups here.

Wildehampton's goalie is now down the wrong end of the pitch.

He better moooove it.

-Over to you, Benny.

-Looks like it's too late.

Ooof!

It is a lovely goal by the Pups.

-CHANTING:

-Our boy Benny will go far because he is a...

THEY SCREAM

That tricky new Cheer-fleader move isn't so lovely.

THEY CHEER

-Wow, Benny, that was amazing!

-Loved the way you curled that ball.

It was nothing. I couldn't have done it without your help, Rozzie.

-Oh.

-Rozzie? What about me?

They'd never have got the ball if I hadn't defended

and passed it to them.

-WHISTLE

-We're off. Look at this neat herding

formation from the Wildehampton Wanderers.

-Come on, Pups, stop those beasties!

-No problem!

Whoop!

THEY GRUNT

Look out!

Oh, what a howler.

With their goalie in a tangle, the wildebeest are in trouble now.

To you, Rozzie.

Herr...ah! Goal!

Impressive play by the Footy Pups, they are 2-0 up at half-time.

-CHANTING:

-Our girl Rozzie will go far, because she is a rising...

THEY SCREAM

How did you do all that dribbling, Rex?

I just kept thinking of doggie treats. Rozzie scored the goal.

But I did most of the work. What about me? Oh.

THEY SCREAM

Ouch! This isn't working.

Geraldine, we need your special skills to get this routine in shape.

You think I have special skills?

Yeah. You're amazing.

-Will you help us?

-Well, the Pups don't appreciate my skills,

so, OK!

Alley-oop!

THEY CHEER

It's the second half, and the wildebeest are on the march.

THEY GRUNT

-Oh! Where's Geraldine?

-There's no defender in sight.

WHIZZ

Ooops! What a howler!

Goal to Wildehampton Wanderers!

Och, this is a disaster!

One of my Pups is missing. Where can she be?!

It's fun being a flea.

Ta-da!

-This game is hotting up.

-Moo!

Oh, a remarkable header by the wildebeest, he is looking dangerous.

THEY COUGH

THEY ALL MOO

WHEEZING

-Oh, they scored again.

-We need a puppy plan.

-We need to find Geraldine.

-And just hold.

Geraldine, what are you doing up there?

The Pups didn't appreciate my skills so I'm helping the Cheer-fleaders.

-Is this true, Pups?

-Sorry, Geraldine.

We got so caught up scoring goals,

we forgot what an important job you do defending them.

-Please come back!

-We need you!

But the Cheer-fleaders need me too. I can't let them down.

Ho-ho. That gives me an idea!

It's two goals each.

ALL: Moo!

-The Pups are in real trouble now.

-Oh!

The Wildehampton Wanderers are kicking up a dust cloud.

Oh, bones. They're stampeding towards the goal!

Help!

-Hey, I can't see the ball.

-Ta-da!

There's the ball!

On the nose of that brave little defender.

-Alley-oops.

-She shoots...she scores!

ALL: Hooray!

And the footy pups have won.

Bow-wow, Geraldine. You've saved the day!

We worked as a team.

But if you're here, who's helping the Cheer-fleaders?

Hey-hey! Look at me!

ALL: Geraldine will go far, because she is a rising star!

THEY CHEER

Geraldine, you're so good at defending.

We couldn't have won without you.

Thanks, Rozzie, but it was a team effort.

-Hi, Geraldine. Hi, Rozzie. BOTH:

-Hi, Rachel.

Great defending. Can I join in? I'm normally a striker, though.

-BARKING

-Smells like trouble.

Do you guys at home remember how to defend?

You need to crouch...

..look...

..and move.

Right, everyone, who fancies a game? THEY CHEER

OK, I've split you up into two teams.

I've got the Knights - Knights, give me a cheer!

-ALL:

-Yay!

And we've got the Dragons - Dragons, let's hear a dragon roar.

-ALL:

-Roar!

-Oh, scary!

OK, let's have a look at Geraldine and Rozzie to see how to play.

The ferocious Dragons need to dribble the ball towards the Knights' castle.

The Knights must defend their castle and force the Dragons

into the playoff area so they lose the ball.

Once all three Knights have defended,

it's the Dragons' turn to protect their nest.

The winners will be the team that gets past the defenders

and scores the most goals.

-Are we ready to play? ALL:

-Yeah!

Three, two, one... WHISTLE BLOWS

Euston's on the attack for the Knights...but oh, no.

He's left the ball behind.

Dajey runs out to defend the Knights' castle.

Fancy footwork. This Knight is determined to defend.

And the ball's out of play!

GERALDINE AND ROZZIE CHEER

Great defending by the young Knight, Sir Dajey!

Anastasia's on the attack but none shall pass.

Lakindu's ready to defend his castle.

Anastasia shoots - but the ball's forced off the pitch.

-Good, go forward.

-Somia is next to defend the castle

but Dragon Manor looks like she might get past.

-Got to go faster than that.

-The Dragon shoots, and again,

-but no!

-Great defending. You forced her off the pitch.

WHISTLE BLOWS Time's up!

While these guys get their energy back with some oranges,

let's have a replay!

The Dragons roared forward on the attack,

but the Knights successfully defended their castle,

stopping the Dragons from scoring any goals.

It's the Knights' turn. Can they slay the Dragons?

OK, are we ready? WHISTLE BLOWS

Dajey makes a cracking start

but Euston is one bouncy Dragon.

Well done, Euston. That's it, force him off the pitch.

They're matching each other move for move.

Dajey finds some space. He plays the ball over the line.

-Can we have a shot by the Knights?

-I think we can, Rachel.

Oh, hit the post!

Lakindu's the next Knight to attack...

That's it, Anastasia, bend your knees.

But this Dragon's ready to defend her lair.

Oh, he's got past you, Anastasia, and it's a goal for the Knights!

A great goal. Nice celebration too.

Manor's ready. The Dragons are fired up now.

GERALDINE AND ROZZIE CHEER

Somia kicks off.

-That's it, Manor.

-Neat little sidestep.

Don't let her get past you, get down nice and low.

Somia pulls the ball back.

Big drama here. She's through...

Great goal for the Knights. Well done.

WHISTLE BLOWS

And it's game over. Great defending all round,

but the Knights managed to score two great goals.

Geraldine and Rozzie have our final scores.

And it's two to the Knights, and none to the Dragons.

KNIGHTS CHEER AND DRAGONS APPLAUD

My team today have been dynamic defenders.

We've watched...

we've blocked...

and we've bounced around -

but most importantly,

we've remembered to crouch, look and move.

That's it for today. Now you've got the skills, pass it on!