Lesson 5 - Dodging and Body Control
Balance & Dynamic Control
•Reception
•Fundamental Movement Skills
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How can we use our whole body to dodge and move safely around others?
Learning Objectives
- To develop dodging skills off either foot with control and confidence
- To travel safely with awareness of others in different directions
- To demonstrate good balance and weight transfer when changing direction
Key Outcomes
- Students will dodge past stationary and moving objects using either foot
- Students will travel confidently around, under, over and through obstacles
- Students will show awareness of space and others when moving
Equipment & Resources Required
8 cones in line 30cm apart, others for group positions
Alternative: Bean bags, floor markers, chalk lines
Scattered in central circle for dinosaur game
Alternative: Soft balls, foam shapes, scarves
Placed in centre for collection activity
Alternative: Bucket, marked circle area, crate
Positioned 15m from central area for team starting points
Alternative: Cones, chalk marks, tape markers
Key Vocabulary
Moving quickly to one side to avoid someone or something
Moving your body weight from one foot to the other
Using your foot to push against the ground to change direction
Knowing where you are in relation to others and objects
Moving in a zigzag pattern between markers
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic travelling movements (walking, running)
- Understanding of personal space
- Simple direction changes
Current Skills
- Dodging off either foot
- Weight transfer and balance
- Spatial awareness during movement
Next Steps
- Dodging in game situations
- Advanced directional changes
- Coordinated team movement
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Weight transfer is key to effective dodging - lean first, then push off
- Use both feet equally for dodging in both directions
- Keep movements controlled especially when speed increases
- Spatial awareness is crucial when multiple people are moving
- Small, quick steps are more effective than large movements
- Practice makes perfect - encourage repeated attempts
- Celebrate effort and improvement, not just perfect technique
Common Misconceptions
- Children think faster always means better - emphasise control over speed
- Some believe only one foot can be used for dodging - encourage both feet
- Assumption that dodging is just running fast - stress the technique components
- Belief that being tagged means failure - frame as learning opportunity
- Thinking dodging is only for games - show real-life applications
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries, regular praise and feedback
dyspraxia
- Simplified movements initially, extra practice time, larger equipment for easier handling
autism spectrum
- Clear routines, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available if needed
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured cones, verbal cues for direction, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for start/stop, written instruction cards
physical disability
- Seated dodging movements, modified distances, use of mobility aids as obstacles
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Forces and motion, balance and stability, body systems during exercise
Geography
Directional language (North, South, East, West), spatial mapping
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when tagged, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with view of all activities, mobile during games
Observation Focus
Weight transfer technique, spatial awareness, confident movement
Intervention Points
Step in if unsafe movement, provide technique reminders, manage game flow
Demonstration Notes
Exaggerate weight shifts for visibility, use slow motion for technique, show both good and improved examples
Verbal Cues
- •'Lean first, then push off!'
- •'Look where you're going!'
- •'Small steps, quick feet!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor area minimum 20m x 30m
Surface Check
Non-slip, even surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Cones placed securely and not creating trip hazards
- •Bean bags checked for damage and safe materials
- •Hoop stable and appropriate size for safe placement
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during dodging activities
- •Falls when changing direction quickly
- •Overcrowding in central areas
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and safe spaces maintained
- •Progressive skill building from walking to running
- •Constant supervision during high-movement games
- •Clear rules about safe contact and tagging
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility during games
- •Monitor junction game centre point carefully
- •Watch for fatigue affecting technique
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal established, first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation routes