Lesson 6 - Dodging and Losing Defenders
Ball Control & Team Tactics
•Year 2
•Invasion Games
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How can I use my body to escape from defenders and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To develop effective dodging techniques to lose defenders
- To apply dodging skills in competitive game situations
- To understand spatial awareness and movement patterns in invasion games
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate confident dodging movements with quick direction changes
- Students will successfully lose defenders in small-sided game situations
- Students will show improved decision-making when choosing where to move
Equipment & Resources Required
Scatter randomly across playing area for activities
Alternative: Bean bags, markers, or playground chalk circles
Place as scoring targets approximately 10m from start positions
Alternative: Chalk circles, rope circles, or marked targets
One ball per group of 4 students
Alternative: Soft play balls, bean bags, or rubber balls
Different colours for attacking and defending teams
Alternative: Coloured bibs, wristbands, or team markers
Key Vocabulary
Quickly changing direction to avoid or escape from a defender
A player trying to stop the attacking team from scoring
An empty area on the playing field where there are no defenders
Catching or stopping a pass meant for the other team
Throwing the ball so it bounces once before reaching your teammate
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and stopping safely
- Simple throwing and catching skills
- Understanding of personal space
Current Skills
- Dodging with quick direction changes
- Creating and finding space
- Basic invasion game principles
Next Steps
- More complex invasion game strategies
- Advanced passing techniques
- Team tactics and positioning
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Bend low when changing direction to maintain balance and control
- Turn whole body to face new direction, not just the head
- Push off outside foot when dodging to generate power
- Accelerate into space after direction change to lose defenders
- Move to support teammates by creating passing options
- Use dodging to find space away from defenders
- Apply honest self-regulation in competitive games
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking dodging is just running fast - emphasis on direction change quality
- Only using dodging when you have the ball - importance of off-ball movement
- Believing physical contact is allowed in invasion games - reinforce non-contact rules
- Thinking the closest teammate is always the best passing option - teach spatial awareness
- Assuming winning is more important than fair play - emphasise sportsmanship values
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear simple instructions, movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Slower practice speed, simplified movement patterns, extra demonstration time
autism spectrum
- Clear visual boundaries, consistent routines, quiet zones if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of space, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written rule cards
physical disability
- Adapted dodging movements, wheelchair-friendly versions, modified equipment
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following instructions, expressing ideas about tactics, discussing feelings
Maths
Counting cone touches, measuring distances, time challenges, score keeping
Science
Forces and motion, balance and stability, reaction times
PSHE
Teamwork, honesty, fair play, empathy for others' feelings
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the outside of activities to maintain visual contact with all students
Observation Focus
Watch for effective dodging technique, safe play, and positive interaction between students
Intervention Points
Step in if students are not following safety rules or if dodging technique needs correction
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements to show dodging technique clearly, model safe play throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Bend low and push off!'
- •'Turn your whole body!'
- •'Find the space!'
- •'Slow down before the cone!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m clear area, suitable for multiple small group activities
Surface Check
Dry, level surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check balls are appropriately inflated and not damaged
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify hoops are in good condition without breaks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during dynamic dodging movements
- •Falls when changing direction at speed
- •Ball impact from passes and throws
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear personal space boundaries established
- •Controlled speed limits during activities
- •No physical contact rules enforced
- •Progressive skill building from slow to game speed
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all groups simultaneously
- •Monitor collision risks during partner activities
- •Ensure fair play and rule compliance in games
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately on whistle signal, assess any incidents, provide appropriate first aid or support