Lesson 5 - Consolidating Dodging Skills
Dynamic Dodging: Building Agility and Spatial Awareness
•Year 2
•Fundamental Movement Skills
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How can we use effective dodging techniques to be successful in team games?
Learning Objectives
- To consolidate students' knowledge of how, where and why to dodge in game situations
- To demonstrate effective dodging technique with head up, low body position and quick directional changes
- To work collaboratively in teams applying tactical understanding
Key Outcomes
- Students will dodge with effective technique avoiding being hit by rolled balls
- Students will understand the consequences of poor positioning in dodging games
- Students will work collaboratively as team members following game rules
Equipment & Resources Required
Place spare balls around the outside of each playing area
Alternative: Bean bags, tennis balls, or soft playground balls
Use to mark out square playing areas approximately 8m x 8m
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, or masking tape
For distinguishing teams in Team Dodgeball activity
Alternative: Coloured bands or scarves
Key Vocabulary
Moving quickly to avoid being hit or caught by changing direction suddenly
Bending the knees and lowering the body centre of gravity for better balance and quicker movement
Plans and strategies used by teams to be more successful in games
Working together as a team towards a common goal
Moving quickly in response to what you see happening around you
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of personal space
- Simple running and stopping movements
- Following basic game rules
Current Skills
- Effective dodging technique with low body position
- Quick directional changes and reactive movements
- Team collaboration and tactical awareness
Next Steps
- Dodging in more complex game situations
- Combining dodging with other locomotion skills
- Advanced team tactics and strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain low body position with bent knees throughout all dodging movements
- Keep head up and eyes focused on the ball and surrounding players
- Use quick, sharp directional changes rather than large movements
- Roll balls along the ground only - never throw above ground level
- Only hits below the knee count as successful hits
- Work collaboratively as a team, communicating and supporting each other
- Show good sportsmanship whether winning or losing
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking that bigger movements are better for dodging (actually, small quick movements are more effective)
- Believing that looking down helps with balance (keeping head up provides better spatial awareness)
- Assuming that staying in the centre is safest (using the whole space is more effective)
- Thinking that individual skill is more important than teamwork (collaboration leads to better team success)
- Believing that elimination games are about winning at all costs (focus should be on skill development and fair play)
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and rules, use movement breaks between explanations, focus on positive reinforcement
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment, reduce complexity of movements, provide extra practice time, offer hand-over-hand guidance for positioning
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of activities, create quiet break area if needed, use consistent routines, prepare for elimination in advance
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls, provide clear verbal cues for ball location, assign a buddy for guidance, use bells or sound-making balls
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for game starts/stops, provide written instructions, use clear gestures for communication, position for lip-reading
physical disability
- Adapted seated dodging activities, modified playing area size, use larger/slower balls, allow walking instead of running movements
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting team scores, measuring playing area dimensions, recognising 2D shapes in playing areas, time management
Science
Forces and movement in directional changes, reaction time and reflexes, heart rate changes during exercise
Geography
Directional language (left, right, forwards, backwards), spatial awareness and positioning, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, resilience when facing challenges, managing emotions in competitive situations, respect for others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the outside of playing areas for optimal visibility, position near groups needing additional support
Observation Focus
Watch for correct dodging technique, spatial awareness, team collaboration, and emotional responses to games
Intervention Points
Step in if students are not following safety rules, provide technique reminders, mediate any disputes about rules
Demonstration Notes
Use successful students as examples, exaggerate body positioning for clarity, show both correct and incorrect techniques for comparison
Verbal Cues
- •'Low body position - bend those knees!'
- •'Head up, eyes on the ball!'
- •'Quick feet, quick changes!'
- •'Use the whole space!'
- •'Work together as a team!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m indoor or outdoor space, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from trip hazards, adequate grip for quick directional changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check foam balls are soft and in good condition with no tears
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify all balls are appropriate size for Year 2 students
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during dodging movements
- •Slips and falls during quick directional changes
- •Ball strikes above knee level or to face/head
- •Emotional responses to elimination from games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with adequate space between groups
- •Emphasis on rolling balls only, never throwing
- •Progressive skill building from individual to team activities
- •Constant reinforcement of below-knee rule only
- •Positive elimination rules with safe zones
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all playing areas
- •Monitor high-activity areas during team games
- •Watch for students becoming overly competitive or frustrated
- •Ensure fair play and rule adherence
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess and provide appropriate first aid, have clear evacuation route available