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Lesson 3 - Catching Strategies

Tactical Awareness in Team Play

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Year 3

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Dodgeball

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45 min

Big Question

How can I make smart decisions about when to catch or dodge to help my team succeed?

Learning Objectives

To develop catching skills using correct technique and body positioning
To make tactical decisions about when to attempt catches versus dodging
To understand and apply advanced Dodgeball rules including team revival strategies

Key Outcomes

Students will demonstrate improved catching technique with ready position and cushioned impact
Students will show decision-making skills by choosing appropriate responses to incoming balls
Students will apply rules understanding in game situations and accept officials' decisions

Equipment & Resources Required

Soft Dodgeballs

8-12 balls

Distributed along centre line of courts

Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags for SEND adaptations

Markers Cones

16-20 cones

Mark court boundaries and prison zones clearly

Alternative: Chalk lines, floor tape

Bibs

4-6 sets

Distributed to team captains before warm-up

Alternative: Different coloured equipment, wristbands

Key Vocabulary

Ready Position

Body stance with knees bent, weight on balls of feet, hands prepared to receive the ball

W-Shape Hands

Hand position with thumbs together forming a W shape to securely catch the ball

Cushioned Impact

Absorbing the ball's force by drawing hands back towards body upon contact

Team Revival

Rule where catching a ball allows eliminated teammates to return to the game

Tactical Decision

Making smart choices about whether to attempt a catch based on risk and reward

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic throwing and catching with two hands
Understanding of dodging movements
Knowledge of basic Dodgeball elimination rules

Current Skills

Strategic catching with correct body positioning
Decision-making between catching and dodging
Advanced rule application including team revival

Next Steps

Catching while moving and under pressure
Advanced tactical team coordination
Leadership roles in officiating games

Milestone Indicators

Consistent ready position before ball arrival

Successful catches with cushioned impact

Smart decision-making under game pressure

Key Teaching Points

Ready position is essential before every catching attempt - knees bent, weight forward
W-shaped hands with thumbs together provide secure catching formation
Cushioned impact prevents ball from bouncing out - draw hands back on contact
Smart decision-making weighs risk vs reward - not every ball should be caught
Team revival through catching makes it a powerful strategic weapon
Accuracy in throwing helps partners develop catching skills effectively
Celebration of effort and improvement encourages continued skill development

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'Catching is just about hand position' - Correction: Whole body positioning and movement are crucial
Misconception: 'Always try to catch everything' - Correction: Smart tactical decisions about when to attempt catches
Misconception: 'Hard throws help partners improve' - Correction: Accurate, progressive difficulty builds skills better
Misconception: 'Individual success is most important' - Correction: Team revival makes catching a team strategy
Misconception: 'Dropped catches are failures' - Correction: Attempts and improvement are valuable learning

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Frequent activity changes, clear role definitions, movement breaks, immediate feedback systems

dyspraxia

Larger, lighter balls, simplified catching technique steps, extra practice time, peer support systems

autism spectrum

Clear routine establishment, visual rule reminders, quiet zones available, predictable team formations

visual impairment

Bright coloured balls, verbal cues for ball location, tactile court boundaries, partner guidance system

hearing impairment

Visual rule demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written rule cards, vibrant visual cues

physical disability

Seated catching variations, modified ball sizes, reduced throwing distances, wheelchair-accessible court areas

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Technical vocabulary development, giving constructive feedback, following and explaining complex rules

Maths

Scoring systems, point calculations, distance measurement, angle estimation for throws

Science

Forces and motion in ball flight, reaction time, hand-eye coordination, physics of cushioned impacts

PSHE

Teamwork, resilience when attempts fail, supporting others, accepting decisions, celebrating others' success

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central location with sight lines to all courts, mobile for close observation during skill practice

Observation Focus

Catching technique application, decision-making quality, team cooperation and sportsmanship

Intervention Points

Step in when throws become inaccurate or unsafe, support struggling catchers, celebrate excellent technique

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for technique demonstration, show both correct and incorrect examples, involve students in demonstrations

Verbal Cues

•'Ready position first!'
•'W-shape hands!'
•'Cushion the catch!'
•'Smart choice!'
•'Help your teammate succeed!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m for multiple courts, clear boundaries marked

Surface Check

Non-slip surface, free from obstacles, adequate drainage if outdoor

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Soft foam Dodgeballs only, check inflation levels
•Cones with rounded edges for court marking
•No damaged or worn equipment

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball impact injuries from hard throws
•Collisions during catching attempts
•Slips during quick movements

Risk Mitigation

•Enforce accuracy requirement for all throws
•Maintain adequate court spacing
•Use only approved soft balls
•Clear movement boundaries established

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for visibility of all courts simultaneously
•Monitor throwing intensity and accuracy
•Watch for unsafe competitive behaviour

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, apply appropriate first aid, notify school procedures