B. Active Living / C. Movement Competence · Active Living and Movement: Fit, Safe and Game Smart

Rules, Roles and Respect: Etiquette, Officiating and Designing Games

C2 A1.4 A1.1 A1.6About 40 minutes

Learning goals

I can explain the rules, conventions and etiquette of different activities and why they matter.
I can take on different roles in a game, including official and scorekeeper, fairly and respectfully.
I can design a game with clear components (objective, players, space, equipment, scoring, rules) that is safe and includes everyone.
I can test a game, collect feedback and improve it.

Words to know

rule
An official agreement about how an activity is played.

convention
An unwritten custom that most players follow, like kicking the ball out of bounds when a player is hurt.

etiquette
Polite, respectful behaviour expected in an activity, like being quiet while someone takes a shot in golf.

official
A person who makes sure the rules are followed: a referee, umpire or judge.

self-officiating
Players call their own fouls and lines and are trusted to be honest.

components of a game
The parts every game needs: objective, players, space, equipment, scoring and rules.

fair play
Playing by the rules, respecting everyone, and giving everyone a chance.

Remember from earlier grades

In Grade 4 you sorted games into four categories and practised fair play. In Grade 5 you learned why games have rules (safety, fairness, flow, fun), asked five questions to learn a new activity, and adapted games so everyone could play.

This year you'll learn the unwritten side of games, conventions and etiquette, take a turn as the official, and design your own game from scratch.

The unwritten rules

In a soccer game, a player goes down hurt. The team with the ball kicks it out of bounds on purpose so the player can get help. When play starts again, the other team gives the ball back.

No rule book says you must do that. It's a convention: a custom that shows respect. Every activity has some.

Activity	Etiquette or convention	Why it matters
Soccer	Kick the ball out if a player is hurt; the other team gives it back after	Puts safety and respect ahead of winning
Golf and disc golf	Stay quiet and still while someone is taking a shot or throw; after everyone has teed off, the player farthest from the hole or basket usually plays next	Lets everyone concentrate; keeps play fair and orderly
Tennis and pickleball (recreational)	Players call the lines on their own side; if you're not sure a ball was out, call it in (give your opponent the benefit of the doubt)	Honesty when there's no referee
Hockey and many team sports	Shake hands (or fist bump) with the other team after the game	Shows respect whether you won or lost
Curling	Teams often shake hands before and after and say "Good curling"	Builds sportsmanship
Ultimate	Spirit of the game: players call their own fouls	Trust and fair play without referees
Any pickup game	Teams are picked fairly; everyone gets a turn	Inclusion and fun for all

Examples of etiquette and conventions.

Roles in a game

Playing isn't the only job. Games need:

Players: follow rules, play fair, include teammates.
Captain: encourages teammates, speaks respectfully with officials.
Official (referee, umpire): knows the rules, watches closely, makes calls clearly and fairly, keeps everyone safe.
Scorekeeper and timekeeper: keep accurate score and time, and announce it clearly.
Coach: helps players improve and make good decisions.

Being a good official

Know the rules before the game starts. Agree on them with both teams.
Be in position to see the play.
Call it the same for both teams, including your friends.
Make the call clearly, explain briefly, then restart quickly.
Stay calm when players disagree. Listen, decide, move on.
Safety first: stop play right away if someone is hurt.

Officiating is hard! Trying it helps you respect the people who do it.

Every game needs more than players. Each role has a job, and all of them help the game stay safe, fair and fun.

Designing a game

Every game has the same components. Plan each one:

Objective: How do you win or score? (Land the disc in a hoop? Keep a rally going?)
Players: How many? Teams or individuals?
Space and boundaries: How big? Any zones?
Equipment: What do you need? Is it safe and easy to find?
Scoring: How many points for what?
Rules: How can you move with the object? Is there contact? How do you start and restart? What happens if the object goes out?
Safety: What rules protect players?
Inclusion: Can people of different skills, ages and abilities all play and have fun?

Then test it, ask for feedback, and change what doesn't work. Game designers revise their games many times.

When you disagree with a call

It's normal to feel frustrated when a call goes against you. Take a breath. A captain can ask politely: "Can you tell me what you saw?" Then accept the call and play on. Arguing usually makes everyone, including you, enjoy the game less.

Worked example

Let's design a backyard game

Design a game for 4 players (two teams of 2) in a backyard, using a soft ball and two laundry baskets.

Objective: Score by landing the ball in the other team's laundry basket.
Players: 2 vs 2.
Space: About 10 m × 6 m. A 1-metre no-go zone around each basket (no one stands inside it), marked with skipping ropes.
Equipment: one soft ball, two laundry baskets, ropes or shoes as markers.
Scoring: 2 points for a basket; 1 point if it hits the basket but bounces out.
Rules: No running with the ball: 3 steps max, then pass or shoot. No contact: defenders must stay an arm's length away. After a score, the other team starts from their basket. Out of bounds: the other team throws it in.
Safety: soft ball only, no contact, clear the yard of toys and tools.
Inclusion: Every player must touch the ball before a shot. Younger players may take 5 steps.

"Basket Ball Backyard": a territory game with clear components. After testing, the team might change the no-go zone size or the step rule.

The "Basket Ball Backyard" field drawn to scale: 10 m by 6 m, a laundry basket at each end with a 1-metre no-go zone, and 2 players on each team.

Worked example

Let's be the official

In the game above, Amir (one of the older players) catches the ball, takes 5 steps, and shoots. He scores. His team cheers. What should the official do?

Check the rule: Older players may take only 3 steps. Amir took 5.
Make the call clearly: "Travelling: too many steps. No basket."
Restart by the rules: The other team gets the ball.
Stay calm if they disagree: "I counted five steps. Other team's ball." Then restart quickly.
Be fair: Call it the same way for both teams for the rest of the game.

Call travelling, cancel the basket, give the ball to the other team, and stay calm and consistent.

Funny but true

Basketball was invented in 1891 by a Canadian, James Naismith, using two peach baskets. The baskets still had bottoms, so after every basket someone had to fetch the ball out! Your laundry-basket game is in good company.

Hands-on activity

Game designer challenge

You need: whatever safe equipment you have (soft balls, a flying disc, laundry baskets, pool noodles, rope, cones or shoes), paper and a pencil, and 2 to 6 family members or friends.

Design a new game using the 8 components. Write it on a "game card."
Explain the rules to your players in under 2 minutes.
Play for 5 minutes. You be the official the first time.
Ask each player: "What did you like? What would you change?"
Revise one or two rules. Play again with someone else as official.
Add one etiquette custom to your game (for example, a special cheer for the other team at the end).

Safety: Soft equipment only; no swinging noodles at people; clear the space; play away from the street.

Your turn

What is the difference between a rule and a convention?

Give one example of etiquette in an activity.

Name four roles in a game.

Give two things a good official does.

List the components every game needs.

Why should a game designer test and revise a game?

How should a captain respond to a call they disagree with?

More practice: warm-up

What is another name for a referee?

What does fair play mean?

In a pickup game without a referee, who calls fouls in ultimate?

Name one piece of safe equipment for a backyard game.

What should happen if a player is hurt during a game?

More practice: on your own

In your game, one player scores every time and others never touch the ball. Suggest two rule changes.

Why might calling it the same for both teams be hard for an official who is friends with one team?

A tennis player isn't sure whether the ball landed in or out on their side. What is the convention?

What could go wrong if a game has no rule for what happens when the ball goes out of bounds?

Name one etiquette custom from a sport you know and explain why it shows respect.

Challenge

Write a game card for a net/wall game for 2 players using a beach ball and a rope tied between two chairs.

Explain how etiquette and conventions help when there are no officials.

An official makes a mistake. A player yells at them. Describe a better response from the player and from the official.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Kicking the ball out when a player is hurt in soccer is an example of...

Which is good etiquette in golf or disc golf?

Which is a job of a good official?

Which is not a component of a game?

Your game is boring because the ball is rarely touched. What should you do?

You disagree with a call. What should you do?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Grade 6 students demonstrate understanding of the components of physical activities: rules, conventions, etiquette, roles, and how games are structured. This lesson adds etiquette and conventions, officiating, and game design with testing and revision.

How to help at home:

Play your child's invented game and give honest, kind feedback.
Let them be the official in a family game, and model accepting calls gracefully.
When watching sports, point out etiquette (handshake lines, injured-player conventions).

Common difficulties:

Too many rules. Encourage a simple game first, then add rules.
Calls for friends. Talk about fairness and consistency.
Frustration at calls. Practise the polite question and moving on.

Safety: Soft equipment, cleared space, no contact rules, play away from roads.

Social-emotional learning: Officiating and respectful disagreement build healthy relationships (A1.4) and emotion management (A1.1); designing and revising games builds creative and critical thinking (A1.6).