Lesson 2 - Dodging and Getting Free
Progressive Skills & Tactics
•Year 3
•Netball
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How can clever dodging help us escape from defenders and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- Recognise the need to use dodging to get 'free' from opposition players
- Demonstrate dodging techniques to get 'free' from defenders
- Discuss and explain why you need to be free from a player when receiving a ball
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate at least two different dodging techniques with control
- Students will successfully get free from a defender to receive the ball in game situations
- Students will explain how dodging helps create space and scoring opportunities
Equipment & Resources Required
Balls distributed around court perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Size 4 footballs, basketballs for variety
Used for boundaries and scoring targets in 3v3 games
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or spots
Different colours for each team in Jail Ball activity
Alternative: Soft play balls, foam balls
Treasure hoops and jail areas for Jail Ball game
Alternative: Marked circles on ground, rope circles
Key Vocabulary
Moving quickly to avoid a defender by changing direction or speed
Pretending to go one way to trick your opponent before going the other way
Creating space between yourself and a defender to receive the ball safely
Staying close to an opponent to prevent them from receiving the ball easily
Shifting your body weight from one foot to the other to change direction
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic catching and passing from Lesson 1
- Understanding of personal space and awareness
- Basic movement patterns and body control
Current Skills
- Dodging techniques using weight transfer and feinting
- Quick changes of direction to escape defenders
- Calling for the ball when free from marking
Next Steps
- Combining dodging with passing under pressure
- Advanced footwork patterns for court positioning
- Team strategies for creating space
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise weight transfer as the foundation of effective dodging
- Encourage students to 'sell' their feints with whole body movement
- Connect dodging skills to game situations through constant reinforcement
- Build confidence through progressive difficulty from static to active defence
- Promote teamwork by highlighting how dodging helps the whole team
- Maintain high expectations for technique while celebrating effort and improvement
- Use specific observation criteria to give meaningful feedback
Common Misconceptions
- Students think dodging is just running fast - correct by emphasising deception and technique over speed
- Belief that bigger steps equal better dodges - teach that quick, sharp movements are more effective
- Assumption that dodging only helps the person with the ball - explain how movement off ball creates team opportunities
- Thinking defenders should always be beaten easily - help students understand that good defence is part of the game
- Misconception that dodging is only about footwork - emphasise whole body coordination and balance
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use shorter activity bursts with regular changes, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer choice of roles in activities
dyspraxia
- Break dodging into smaller components, provide additional practice time, use larger equipment and slower pace initially
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine structure, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet space available if needed for regulation
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured cones and balls, provide clear verbal descriptions of spatial setup, assign sighted buddy for navigation support
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations extensively, hand signals for game management, written instruction cards for reference
physical disability
- Modify dodging to seated or supported versions, use larger targets for easier success, adjust court sizes to individual mobility
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Angles of movement during dodging, counting successful dodges and catches, measuring distances between players
Science
Forces during push-off phases, balance and centre of gravity during direction changes, reaction times in defensive situations
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of directional movement and navigation around court
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions when marked tightly, resilience when techniques don't work initially
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of activities for optimal viewing, position centrally during demonstrations to ensure all students can see and hear
Observation Focus
Watch for quality of dodging technique, application in game situations, safety awareness, and positive team interactions
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggling with weight transfer, when games become too physical, or when safety is compromised
Demonstration Notes
Use students as positive examples whenever possible, exaggerate movements for clarity, ensure demonstrations are visible to all students
Verbal Cues
- •'Sell the fake!'
- •'Quick feet, sharp changes!'
- •'Hands ready to receive!'
- •'Help your teammates get free!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m clear space, suitable for multiple 3v3 games with 5m gaps between courts
Surface Check
Dry, even surface with good grip for quick direction changes, free from obstacles or hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check netballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify adequate number of balls to avoid sharing disputes
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ankle injuries from quick direction changes
- •Collisions during enthusiastic game play
- •Falls due to poor surface or rushed movements
- •Overexertion during high-intensity activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Progressive warm-up including dynamic movement preparation
- •Clear boundaries established for all game areas
- •Adequate spacing between groups during partner work
- •Regular hydration breaks if weather is warm
- •Proper cool-down to prevent muscle soreness
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all game areas
- •Monitor closely during direction change practice
- •Watch for signs of fatigue affecting technique
- •Intervene quickly if play becomes too physical
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school office if medical attention required