Grade 4
Course ContentSoccer/Netball
Habari Mwanafunzi! Welcome to the Pitch and the Court!
Are you ready to dive into the two most exciting games played in every school compound and neighbourhood in Kenya? From the dusty fields of Lodwar to the green pitches in Nairobi, the roar of a crowd after a goal is a sound we all know and love. We're talking about Soccer (Mpira wa Miguu) and Netball!
These aren't just games you play to pass the time during PHE class. They are sports that teach us teamwork, discipline, and how to stay fit and healthy. So, lace up your boots, put on your bibs, and let's get started!
The Beautiful Game: SOCCER (Mpira wa Miguu)
Soccer is more than a sport in Kenya; it's a passion! It's the game we watch, argue about, and dream of playing for the Harambee Stars. The main goal is simple: score by getting the ball into the opponent's net. But how is it played?
The Pitch and the Players
A standard soccer team has 11 players on the field (uwanja). Each player has a special role:
- Goalkeeper (Kipa): The only player allowed to use their hands, but only inside their own penalty box! Their job is to stop the ball from entering the goal.
- Defenders (Mabeki): They form the wall in front of the goalkeeper, working to stop the other team's attackers.
- Midfielders (Viungo): The engine of the team! They play in the middle, both defending and attacking. Think of legends like Victor Wanyama.
- Forwards/Strikers (Washambuliaji): Their main job is to score goals! They are the sharp shooters, like our very own Michael Olunga.
The pitch itself has important markings you need to know:
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| G |(_________________) (_________________)| G |
| O |[ | ] [ | ]| O |
| A |[ | o ] [ o | ]| A |
| L |(_______|_________) (_________|_______)| L |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | |-----------------------------| | |
| | | | | |
| | | o | | |
| | | | | |
| | |-----------------------------| | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| G |(_________________) (_________________)| G |
| O |[ | ] [ | ]| O |
| A |[ | o ] [ o | ]| A |
| L |(_______|_________) (_________|_______)| L |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
(Penalty Box) (Center Circle)
Real-World Example: The Mashemeji Derby
Imagine the tension at Nyayo Stadium during a match between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. A Gor Mahia midfielder wins the ball, dribbles past two players, and makes a perfect pass to their striker. The striker takes one touch and shoots! GOAL! The strategy, skill, and teamwork all come together in that one moment. That is the magic of soccer!
The Fast and Strategic Game: NETBALL
Netball is a super-fast, exciting game of skill, accuracy, and teamwork. Unlike soccer, it's a non-contact sport, meaning you can't push or tackle your opponents. It's all about clever passes and sharp shooting!
The Court and Positions
A netball team has 7 players on the court, and each player wears a bib with their position initials. Crucially, each player is only allowed in specific areas of the court!
The court is divided into three parts (thirds):
+-------------------------------------------+
| Goal Third | Centre Third | Goal Third |
|-------O-------|-----------------|-------O-------| <- Goalposts
| (Goal Circle)| | (Goal Circle) |
| | | |
|===============|=================|===============|
| | (C) | |
| (GA) | (WA) (WD) | (GD) |
| (GS) | | (GK) |
+-------------------------------------------+
- GS (Goal Shooter) & GA (Goal Attack): These are the only two players who can score goals, and they can only do it from inside the Goal Circle.
- WA (Wing Attack) & C (Centre): They are the main attackers, responsible for passing the ball to the shooters. The Centre can go anywhere except the goal circles.
- WD (Wing Defence), GD (Goal Defence), & GK (Goal Keeper): Their job is to defend and stop the other team from scoring.
Image Suggestion: [A dynamic, vibrant photo of a Kenyan high school girls' netball match. The players are in mid-air, one team in green bibs, the other in yellow. Focus on the Centre (C) player as she passes the ball. The background shows an excited crowd of fellow students cheering.]
The Golden Rules of Netball
Netball has some unique rules that make it so strategic:
- No Stepping: When you catch the ball, you cannot run with it. You can pivot on your landing foot, but you can't re-ground it. This is the footwork rule.
- Three-Second Rule: You must pass the ball or shoot for a goal within three seconds of receiving it. No time to waste!
- Obstruction: When defending, you must be at least 3 feet (0.9 metres) away from the player with the ball. You can't just stand in their face!
- No Contact: You cannot push, trip, or hold onto another player. If you do, it's a penalty.
The Math Behind the Magic
Did you know that both games involve a lot of math and geometry? Strategy isn't just about running fast; it's about thinking smart!
Calculating League Points (Soccer)
In a league like the Kenyan Premier League, teams get points for each match. Understanding this helps you read the league table (standings).
# How points are awarded:
- Win = 3 points
- Draw = 1 point
- Loss = 0 points
# Example Scenario:
- Tusker FC plays Ulinzi Stars and wins 2-0. (Tusker gets 3 pts, Ulinzi gets 0 pts)
- Gor Mahia plays KCB and draws 1-1. (Both teams get 1 pt)
# Calculating Tusker FC's total points after 3 games:
Game 1: Win -> 3 points
Game 2: Loss -> 0 points
Game 3: Win -> 3 points
---------------------
Total = 3 + 0 + 3 = 6 points
The Geometry of a Netball Shot
A Goal Shooter (GS) needs to understand angles to score. But let's calculate the area they have to shoot from – the goal circle!
The formula for the area of a circle is Area = πr², where 'π' (pi) is approximately 3.14 and 'r' is the radius.
# Netball Goal Circle Dimensions:
- Radius (r) = 4.9 meters
# Step 1: Write down the formula.
Area = π * r²
# Step 2: Substitute the values.
Area = 3.14 * (4.9m * 4.9m)
# Step 3: Calculate the square of the radius.
Area = 3.14 * 24.01 m²
# Step 4: Calculate the final area.
Area ≈ 75.39 m²
This means the GS and GA have over 75 square meters of space to operate in to score a goal!
Why Should You Play?
Whether you're a potential soccer star or a future netball champion, playing these games is amazing for your health and personal growth. You develop:
- Physical Fitness: Strong hearts, lungs, and muscles!
- Teamwork: Learning to trust and communicate with your teammates.
- Discipline: Following the rules and respecting the referee's decision.
- Resilience: Learning how to lose a game and come back stronger for the next one.
So, next time you have a PHE lesson, don't just stand on the side. Grab a ball, join a team, and have fun. Chukua mpira, enda uwanjani! (Take a ball, go to the field!)
Habari Mwanafunzi! Let's Get Ready to Play!
Welcome to the exciting world of games! Here in Kenya, we love our sports. From the legendary athletes who rule the marathon tracks to the passionate fans in every neighbourhood, sports are a big part of our lives. Today, we're diving into two of the most popular team games played in every school compound and community field: Soccer (Mpira wa Miguu) and Netball (Mpira wa Pete). So, lace up your shoes, and let's learn how to play like champions!
⚽ Soccer (Mpira wa Miguu): The World's Beautiful Game
Soccer is a game of passion, skill, and teamwork. The main goal is simple: get the ball into the opponent's net using any part of your body except your hands or arms! It's the game that brings us together to cheer for our heroes like Michael Olunga and our national team, the Harambee Stars.
The Playing Field (Uwanja)
A soccer pitch is a large rectangular field of grass. It has specific markings that are very important for the rules of the game. The main areas are the two goalposts, the penalty areas in front of each goal, and the centre circle where the game starts.
Image Suggestion: [A bright, sunny, wide-angle shot of a Kenyan school soccer field. Diverse students, both boys and girls, are in the middle of a friendly match wearing colorful P.E. kits. The grass is green but well-used. In the background, you can see typical Kenyan school buildings and acacia trees.]
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| G |(Penalty Area) | G |
| O | +-----+ | O |
| A |------| |---------------------------| A |
| L | | | | L |
| | +-----+ | |
| | | |
| | (Centre Circle) | |
| | O | |
|----------------------|----------------------|
| | | | |
| | O | |
| | (Centre Spot) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| G | +-----+ | G |
| O |------| |---------------------------| O |
| A | | | | A |
| L |(Goal Area)| | L |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
Basic Rules You Must Know!
- The Team: A team has 11 players on the field at one time, including one very important person – the goalkeeper!
- Scoring a Goal: A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts. The crowd goes wild!
- Hands Off!: Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands, and only inside their own penalty area. If any other player touches the ball with their hands on purpose, it's a "handball" foul.
- Fouls: Pushing, tripping, or unfairly tackling an opponent results in a foul. The other team gets a free kick. Serious fouls can even get a player a yellow or red card from the referee.
Calculating League Points: The Math of Champions!
In a league, like the Kenyan Premier League, teams collect points from each match to see who is the best at the end of the season. It’s simple math!
# --- How Points are Awarded ---
WIN = 3 points
DRAW = 1 point
LOSS = 0 points
# --- Example: Gor Mahia's Weekend ---
1. Gor Mahia plays AFC Leopards and WINS. (Gor Mahia gets 3 points)
2. The next week, they play Tusker FC and DRAW. (Gor Mahia gets 1 point)
3. The week after, they play KCB and LOSE. (Gor Mahia gets 0 points)
# --- Total Points Calculation ---
Total Points = (Points from Win) + (Points from Draw) + (Points from Loss)
Total Points = 3 + 1 + 0
Total Points = 4
So, after these three matches, Gor Mahia would have 4 points on the league table.
🏐 Netball (Mpira wa Pete): A Game of Speed and Teamwork
Netball is a super-fast, exciting game that is very popular, especially in our girls' schools. Unlike soccer, it's a non-contact sport. It requires quick thinking, sharp passing, and accurate shooting. Teamwork is everything in netball!
The Court and Positions
The netball court is divided into three "thirds": a centre third and two goal thirds. Each of the 7 players on a team wears a bib with letters on it (like GA, C, GK) and is only allowed in certain thirds of the court. This is what makes teamwork so important!
Image Suggestion: [An action shot of a netball game on an outdoor court in Kenya. Two teenage girls are in the air; one (Goal Attack) is shooting the ball towards the hoop, while the other (Goal Keeper) is trying to defend. Their bibs (GA and GK) are clearly visible. The other players are positioned around the court, watching intently.]
+-------------------------------------------+
| (Goal Third) | (Centre Third) | (Goal Third) |
| _ | | _ |
| / \ (Goal) | | / \ (Goal) |
| | O | | | | O | |
| \_/ | O | \_/ |
| (Shooting | (Centre Circle) | (Shooting |
| Circle) | | Circle) |
| | | |
+-------------------------------------------+
Key Rules to Remember!
- Player Zones: Each player has a specific area they must stay in. For example, the Goal Keeper (GK) can only be in their team's goal third. The Centre (C) player is special and can go everywhere except the shooting circles!
- No Running with the Ball: Once you catch the ball, you can only take one step. This is called the "stepping" or "footwork" rule. You must pass or shoot from where you land.
- The 3-Second Rule: You must pass the ball or shoot for a goal within three seconds of receiving it. No time to waste!
- Scoring: Only two players on a team can score goals: the Goal Shooter (GS) and the Goal Attack (GA). And they must be inside the opposition's shooting circle to score.
Calculating Shooting Accuracy: A Netballer's Superpower!
For a GS or GA, being able to score is the most important job. We can measure how good a shooter is by calculating their shooting percentage. A higher percentage means they are more accurate!
Real-World Scenario: Wanjiku is the Goal Shooter for her class team. In the final match against Form 3B, she took 20 shots at the goal. She managed to score 15 of them. What is her shooting accuracy? Let's calculate it!
# --- The Formula ---
(Goals Scored / Total Shots Taken) * 100 = Shooting Percentage (%)
# --- Step 1: Write down the numbers ---
Goals Scored = 15
Total Shots Taken = 20
# --- Step 2: Divide the Goals by the Shots ---
15 / 20 = 0.75
# --- Step 3: Multiply by 100 to get the percentage ---
0.75 * 100 = 75%
# --- Result ---
Wanjiku's shooting accuracy for the match was an amazing 75%!
Health and Fitness: Why We Play!
Playing soccer and netball isn't just about winning. It's one of the best things you can do for your body and mind! When you play, you are:
- Building a Strong Heart: All the running builds your stamina and makes your heart healthier (cardiovascular fitness).
- Learning Teamwork: You learn to communicate, trust, and work with your teammates to achieve a common goal. This is a skill for life!
- Developing Discipline: Following the rules, listening to your coach, and respecting the referee teaches you discipline.
- Relieving Stress: Running around and having fun with friends is a fantastic way to forget your worries and feel happy.
Let's Wrap It Up!
Whether you dream of scoring a last-minute winner for Harambee Stars or shooting the deciding goal in a netball final, it all starts here. These games teach us about fitness, fairness, and friendship. So, grab a ball, call your friends, and get out there to play. The most important thing is to try your best and have fun. Tuko pamoja!
Habari Mwanafunzi! Let's Talk Games!
Welcome to today's exciting lesson! Think about the last time you watched Harambee Stars play, the whole country holding its breath for a goal. Or maybe you've seen the fast-paced action of a netball match during the school games, with players moving like lightning! Soccer and Netball are more than just games; they are about teamwork, strategy, and keeping our bodies strong and healthy. Today, we are going to dive deep into these two amazing sports. Are you ready? Twende kazi!
⚽ Soccer (Soka) - The World's Beautiful Game
Soccer is a game loved by millions in Kenya, from the dusty pitches in our neighbourhoods to the big stadiums. The goal is simple: score by getting the ball into the opponent's net. But how it's done is pure art!
The Pitch (Uwanja wa Soka)
A soccer pitch is a rectangle with specific markings. Let's look at a basic layout:
+-------------------------------------------+
| [ ]<--Goal [ ] |
| | | |
| / \ / \ |
| | |<--Penalty Area | | |
| \_/ \_/ |
| |
|--------------------( )--------------------| <-- Halfway Line & Centre Circle
| |
| / \ / \ |
| | | | | |
| \_/ \_/ |
| | | |
| [ ] [ ] |
+-------------------------------------------+
- The Goal: Where you score!
- Penalty Area: A special zone where if the defending team commits a major foul, the other team gets a penalty kick. The goalkeeper can also use their hands here.
- Centre Circle: Where the game starts and restarts after a goal.
Players and Positions
A team has 11 players on the field. Key positions include:
- Goalkeeper (Kipa): The only player who can use their hands (inside the penalty area). Their job is to stop the ball from entering the goal.
- Defenders (Mabeki): They are like the "askaris" of the team, protecting their goal and stopping attackers.
- Midfielders (Viungo): The engine of the team! They play in the middle, both defending and attacking. Think of legends like Victor Wanyama controlling the game from here.
- Strikers/Forwards (Washambuliaji): Their main job is to score goals! They are the sharp shooters, like Michael Olunga.
A Local Derby Story: Imagine our school team is playing our rivals, "Valley View High." The score is 1-1. The clock shows 90 minutes. Our midfielder wins the ball, passes it wide to the winger who crosses it perfectly. Our striker, Juma, leaps like a lion and heads the ball into the net! GOOOOAL! The crowd erupts! That's the magic of soccer – a single moment of teamwork can create a memory for a lifetime.
Image Suggestion: [A dynamic, vibrant photo of a Kenyan schools' soccer match. Two players, one in a green jersey and one in a red jersey, are competing for the ball mid-air. The background shows excited student spectators cheering, with jacaranda trees visible beyond the pitch. The style should be action-photography, capturing movement and emotion.]
🏐 Netball - Speed, Skill, and Precision
Netball is a super-fast game that requires sharp passing and quick thinking. Unlike basketball, you can't run with the ball (dribble), which makes teamwork in passing absolutely essential!
The Court (Uwanja wa Netiboli)
A netball court is divided into three parts, or "thirds". Each position has a zone they must stay in.
+-----------------------------------------------+
| ( )<--Goal Circle ( ) |
| | | |
| O<--Goal Post O |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------+ <-- Goal Third
| |
| ( ) <-- Centre Circle |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------+ <-– Centre Third
| |
| |
| O O |
| | | |
| ( ) ( ) |
+-----------------------------------------------+ <-- Goal Third
Players and Positions
A team has 7 players, and each has a specific role and limited area of play. This is the most important rule to remember!
- Goal Shooter (GS) & Goal Attack (GA): The only two players who can score goals, and they can only do it from inside the Goal Circle.
- Wing Attack (WA): Feeds the ball to the shooters. Plays in the Centre and Goal Third.
- Centre (C): The playmaker who can go everywhere except the two Goal Circles.
- Wing Defence (WD): Tries to stop the WA. Plays in the Centre and Goal Third.
- Goal Defence (GD) & Goal Keeper (GK): Defend the goal and try to get the ball back.
Fundamental Rules to Remember:
- No Dribbling: Once you catch the ball, you cannot bounce it and run.
- Footwork: You can pivot on your landing foot, but you cannot move it from its spot.
- 3-Second Rule: You must pass or shoot the ball within three seconds of catching it.
- Obstruction: You must be at least 3 feet (about 1 metre) away from the player with the ball when defending.
Image Suggestion: [An energetic shot of the Kenyan national netball team in action. A player in the Centre (C) bib is jumping mid-air to pass the ball over a defender. The court lines are clearly visible, and the players' faces show intense focus. The style should be bright and athletic.]
🧠 The Brains Behind the Game: Strategy & Math
Winning isn't just about running fast; it's also about thinking smart! Both games use math and strategy.
Calculating League Points
In a tournament like the Kenya Premier League, teams get points for each match. Here is the simple formula:
- Win = 3 Points
- Draw = 1 Point
- Loss = 0 Points
Let's calculate the points for Gor Mahia after three games:
- Game 1: Gor Mahia 2 - 1 Tusker FC (Win) -> +3 points
- Game 2: Gor Mahia 1 - 1 AFC Leopards (Draw) -> +1 point
- Game 3: Gor Mahia 0 - 1 KCB (Loss) -> +0 points
Total points for Gor Mahia would be:
3 (Win) + 1 (Draw) + 0 (Loss) = 4 Points
Shooting Angles
The position you shoot from matters a lot! A wider angle gives you a bigger target area and a better chance to score.
In Soccer or Netball:
[GOAL/HOOP]
/|\
/ | \
/ | \
Shot A | Shot B
|
Player
Explanation:
- Shot A (from the side) has a NARROW angle. It's a harder shot.
- Shot B (from the centre) has a WIDE angle. It's an easier shot.
Strategy: Your team should work together to create opportunities for shots from a central position (Shot B).
Now, It's Your Turn!
We've learned about the pitch, the players, the rules, and even the math behind Soccer and Netball. These games teach us discipline, how to work with others, and how to stay healthy.
So, I encourage you to go out and play! Join the school team, or just have a fun kick-about with your friends. Whether you dream of scoring a winning goal like a Harambee Star or making a perfect pass like a netball pro, the most important thing is to participate, try your best, and have fun. The field is waiting for you!
Pro Tip
Take your own short notes while going through the topics.
