AQA GCSE Physical Education Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport, June 2025: Question 15

6 marks · Medium difficulty · Extended Response

Discuss how aggression in a footballer can impact their own performance during a match.

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Question text

15 Discuss how aggression in a footballer can impact their own performance during a

match.

[6 marks]

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Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme

15 Discuss how aggression in a footballer can impact their own performance during a

match.

[6 marks]

Marks for this question: AO1 = 1, AO2 = 2, AO3 = 3

Level Marks Description

Knowledge of both direct and indirect aggression is accurate and

generally well detailed. Application to a footballer’s performance is

mostly appropriate, clear, and effective. Discussion is thorough,

3 5–6

reaching valid and well-reasoned conclusions for both sides of the

argument. The answer is generally clear, coherent, and focused,

with appropriate use of terminology throughout.

Knowledge is evident for both direct and indirect aggression but is

more detailed for one than the other. There is some appropriate and

effective application to a footballer’s performance, although not

2 3–4 always presented with clarity. Any discussion is clear but reaches

valid and well-reasoned conclusions for one side of the argument

more than the other. The answer lacks coherence in places,

although terminology is used appropriately on occasions.

Knowledge of aggression is limited. Application to a footballer’s

performance is either absent or inappropriate. Discussion is poorly

1 1–2 focused or absent, with few or no reasoned conclusions about the

impact on performance. The answer as a whole lacks clarity and has

inaccuracies. Terminology is either absent or inappropriately used.

00 No relevant content.

Possible content may include:

AO1 – Knowledge of aggression eg

• Aggression: A deliberate attempt to harm or injure another person, which can be physical or mental.

• Direct aggression: Aggressive act which involves physical contact with others.

• Indirect aggression: Aggression which does not involve physical contact. The aggression is taken

out on an object to gain advantage.

AO2 – Application to football eg

Direct aggression:

• (Positive) Shoulder barging an opponent.

• (Negative) Punching an opposition player off the ball.

Indirect aggression:

– – – JUNE 2025

• (Positive) Shooting with as much power as possible.

• (Negative) Kicking the ball away after a free kick is awarded to waste time.

AO3 – Discussion of the impact of high levels of aggression on a footballer’s performance eg

Positive impact

• Direct aggression can be used inside the rules of the game to shoulder barge / tackle an opponent

with force which would result in the player winning the ball for their team.

• Indirect aggression can be used to shoot with as much power as possible which may result in the shot

being more difficult to save.

Negative impact

• Direct aggression used outside the rules of the game such as fouling / punching an opponent could

result in the other team being awarded a free kick or even the player being sent off and subsequently

banned.

• Indirect aggression could result in a lack of attention being paid to the accuracy of performance. In

trying to shoot with as much power as possible the player fails to concentrate on hitting the target as

thus fails to score.

• Indirect aggression could result in the player kicking the ball away after a free kick is awarded which

would result in the player being shown a yellow card.

Accept any other appropriate discursive points on the impact of high levels of aggression on a

footballer’s performance.

Maximum 6 marks

How to answer it

Aggression & Football Performance (6 Marks)

📋 What this question tests

This is an extended 6-mark discussion question testing three assessment objectives:

AO1 (1 Mark): Knowledge of aggression definitions (direct vs indirect).
AO2 (2 Marks): Application to specific football situations (tackling, shooting, misconduct).
AO3 (3 Marks): Balanced discussion of the positive and negative impacts of aggression on the footballer’s performance.

Question 15 · 6 Marks

Discuss how aggression in a footballer can impact their own performance during a match.

AQA GCSE Physical Education — Sports Psychology

Marking Tariff: Level 3 (5–6 marks) requires accurate knowledge of both direct and indirect aggression, balanced discussion of both positive and negative effects, and direct links to performance.

💡 Key Knowledge (AO1)

Aggression: A deliberate intent to harm or injure another person either physically or mentally.
Direct Aggression: Aggressive act involving direct physical contact with another player (e.g. shoulder barge, punch).
Indirect Aggression: Aggression that does not involve physical contact; channelled towards an object to gain a psychological or tactical advantage (e.g. hitting a ball with high power).

🧠 Exam Technique (The 2 × 2 Matrix)

To reach Level 3 (5–6 marks), you must cover a balanced argument:

Direct + Positive: Fair shoulder barge to win ball.
Direct + Negative: Violent tackle leading to red card.
Indirect + Positive: Striking ball with power to score.
Indirect + Negative: Kicking ball away (yellow card) or losing shot accuracy.

Always end each point by explicitly stating: "...which impacts their performance because..."

✅ Model Level 3 Response Structure

Type	Application (AO2)	Impact on Performance (AO3)
Direct (Positive)	Shoulder-charging an opponent legally when contesting possession.	Enables the player to dispossess the opponent, regain possession, and launch an attack.
Direct (Negative)	Punching an opponent or making an illegal, reckless two-footed tackle.	Player is sent off (red card), leaving their team with 10 players and ending their ability to contribute to the match entirely.
Indirect (Positive)	Channelled aggression by striking a shot at goal with maximum power.	Makes the ball travel faster, giving the goalkeeper less reaction time and increasing the likelihood of scoring.
Indirect (Negative)	Kicking the ball away in frustration after the referee blows the whistle.	Results in a yellow card for time-wasting; player must now play cautiously to avoid a second booking. Or, over-hitting passes/shots due to loss of fine motor control and composure.

❌ Common Errors & Lost Marks

One-sided answers: Discussing only the negative impacts (e.g. fouls, cards) and ignoring positive impacts.
Ignoring Indirect Aggression: Only writing about physical fights and violent tackles.
Confusing Aggression with Assertion: Mentioning "assertion" without clarifying aggression involves an intent to harm or channelled aggressive force.
Forgetting "Their Own Performance": Discussing how it hurts the opponent or the team, rather than how the individual's play is affected.

🎯 Examiner Commentary & Tips

Clear Definitions: State the definitions of direct and indirect aggression in your opening sentences to secure AO1 immediately.
Use Contrast Connectives: Use words like "However", "On the other hand", and "Conversely" to clearly signal to the examiner that you are presenting a balanced discussion.
Clear Outcomes: Always state the sporting consequence (e.g. "causes loss of accuracy", "reduces reaction time for the keeper", "forces player to play cautiously due to yellow card").

Topics

3.2 Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport · 3.2.1 Sports psychology

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physical Education examination, Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.