Lesson 1 - Overarm Throwing and Game Awareness
Tactical Awareness in Team Play
•Year 3
•Dodgeball
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How can powerful, accurate throwing and smart positioning help us succeed in team games?
Learning Objectives
- Develop overarm throwing technique for power and accuracy
- Understand tactical awareness of when to attack and defend
- Work effectively alongside teammates and against opponents
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved overarm throwing technique
- Students will show tactical decision-making during game situations
- Students will collaborate effectively in team-based activities
Equipment & Resources Required
Place balls along the centre line before game starts
Alternative: Soft playground balls, bean bags for safety
Mark court boundaries and centre line clearly
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines
Help students identify teammates and opponents quickly
Alternative: None essential - teams can be designated by court position
Key Vocabulary
Throwing technique where the arm comes over the shoulder for power
Hitting the intended target consistently
Understanding when and how to make the best decisions in games
Remove a player from the game according to the rules
The boundary line that divides the playing area between teams
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic underarm throwing and catching
- Understanding of simple game rules
- Working in pairs and small groups
Current Skills
- Overarm throwing technique development
- Tactical awareness in invasion games
- Team cooperation and competition
Next Steps
- Advanced throwing techniques and accuracy
- Complex tactical decision-making
- Leadership roles in team activities
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Overarm throwing technique: high elbow, step forward, follow through low
- Tactical awareness: when to attack opportunities and when to defend position
- Low targeting makes balls harder to catch and safer for players
- Teamwork involves communication, support and shared decision-making
- Honest self-assessment builds character and fair play values
- Practice technique in isolation before applying in game pressure
- Accuracy develops through repetition and focus rather than power alone
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking harder throws are always better - accuracy and placement matter more
- Believing individual performance is more important than team success
- Assuming being 'out' means failure - it's part of learning and playing
- Expecting immediate mastery of overarm technique - it requires practice and patience
- Focusing only on elimination rather than skill development and enjoyment
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent position changes, clear simple instructions, regular positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Larger balls for easier catching, reduced court size, focus on effort over accuracy
autism spectrum
- Clear visual boundaries, predictable game structure, quiet space available if needed
visual impairment
- Brightly coloured balls, verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all instructions, hand signals for game control, written rule cards
physical disability
- Modified throwing distances, seated throwing options, alternative roles like scorer or coach
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting hits and points, measuring distances, angles of throwing trajectory
Science
Forces in throwing, trajectory and gravity effects, reaction times and reflexes
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, mapping court areas and boundaries
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, honesty and fair play, managing competition emotions
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with sight lines to all courts, move between groups during practice
Observation Focus
Throwing technique development, tactical awareness, teamwork quality, safety compliance
Intervention Points
Step in for unsafe throwing, support struggling students with technique, manage disputes about rules
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate overarm technique slowly and clearly, emphasise key points with exaggerated movements, use students as positive examples
Verbal Cues
- •'High elbow, step forward!'
- •'Aim low to make it harder to catch!'
- •'Work together as a team!'
- •'Great sportsmanship!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Full sports hall or large playground area, minimum 15m x 20m per court
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, clear of obstacles and trip hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Soft foam balls only - check for damage before use
- •Cones stable and visible for court marking
- •No hard balls or equipment that could cause injury
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head/face area
- •Collisions between students moving quickly
- •Slips and falls during evasive movements
- •Overexertion during intensive game play
Risk Mitigation
- •Strict below-waist throwing rule enforced throughout
- •Clear court boundaries prevent collisions between games
- •Gradual build-up from skills to full game intensity
- •Regular breaks and cool-down periods included
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to see all courts simultaneously
- •Move between groups during activities
- •Monitor for signs of fatigue or overexertion
- •Ensure fair play and rule adherence
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, clear area if necessary