Lesson 3 - Catching Strategies
Tactical Awareness in Team Play
•Year 3
•Dodgeball
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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
Distributed along centre line of courts
Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags for SEND adaptations
Mark court boundaries and prison zones clearly
Alternative: Chalk lines, floor tape
Distributed to team captains before warm-up
Alternative: Different coloured equipment, wristbands
Key Vocabulary
Body stance with knees bent, weight on balls of feet, hands prepared to receive the ball
Hand position with thumbs together forming a W shape to securely catch the ball
Absorbing the ball's force by drawing hands back towards body upon contact
Rule where catching a ball allows eliminated teammates to return to the game
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
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