Lesson 6 - Dodging and Moving into Space
Tag Rugby Basics
•Year 3
•Tag Rugby
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can clever movement and dodging help my team attack effectively in tag rugby?
Learning Objectives
- To be able to dodge a defender and move into space when running towards the goal
- To understand the importance of warming up and its effects on the body
- To work effectively as part of a team in attack
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective dodging techniques to evade defenders
- Students will show understanding of space and how to exploit it
- Students will explain why warming up is important for exercise
Equipment & Resources Required
15 domes up, 15 dishes down for warm-up activity, then repositioned for skill development
Alternative: Marker discs, bean bags, or other visual markers
Size 3 or 4 balls appropriate for Year 3 hands
Alternative: Foam balls, tennis balls for beginners, or touch rugby balls
Two tags per belt, properly attached and checked for security
Alternative: Velcro strips, flag belts, or fabric strips
Two different colours for team identification
Alternative: Coloured bibs, pinnies, or arm bands
Key Vocabulary
A quick change of direction to avoid being caught or tagged by a defender
An area on the field where there are no defenders, creating opportunities to move forward
A player trying to prevent the attacking team from scoring by tagging them
Removing a tag from an opponent's belt to stop their forward progress
When your team has the ball and is trying to score
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and movement skills
- Understanding of personal and general space
- Basic ball handling skills in previous tag rugby lessons
Current Skills
- Dodging techniques using footwork and body position
- Reading space and making movement decisions
- Understanding defensive positioning
Next Steps
- Advanced evasion techniques
- Creating space for teammates
- Complex attacking patterns and strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Bend low when dodging - 'like going under a bridge'
- Push off outside foot when changing direction
- Keep head up to see space and defenders
- Tag cleanly and return immediately with clear 'TAG' call
- Spread out after tags to create attacking opportunities
- Recognise when passing is better than dodging
- Work as a team to maintain possession and create space
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking dodging always works - sometimes passing is better tactical choice
- Standing upright when changing direction - need low body position for effective dodging
- Only using one foot to push off - should develop both feet for unpredictability
- Keeping tags after tagging someone - must return immediately for fair play
- Bunching together after tags - need to spread out to create space
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear visual boundaries, regular positive feedback and refocusing
dyspraxia
- Slower movement speeds initially, larger equipment, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time
autism spectrum
- Clear visual boundaries, consistent routines, quiet zones available for breaks
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured equipment, verbal descriptions of space, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for instructions, written rule cards available
physical disability
- Modify movement requirements, use wheelchair-appropriate spaces, adapt tagging rules
Cross-Curricular Links
Science
Understanding body responses to exercise, heart rate changes, oxygen transport to muscles
Geography
Spatial awareness, understanding direction changes, mapping movement patterns around area
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, dealing with challenge and competition, building resilience through practice
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Circulate between activities, position at corners for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for low body position in dodging, safe tagging technique, spatial awareness
Intervention Points
Step in if tagging becomes rough, ensure rule understanding, provide individual coaching
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for visibility, demonstrate both good and improved examples, involve students in demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Bend low like you're going under a bridge!'
- •'Push off your outside foot like a sprinter!'
- •'Find the spaces - where aren't the defenders?'
- •'Clean tags only - pull and return immediately!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m for main activities, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from potholes, debris, or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check tag belts for secure Velcro and no sharp edges
- •Ensure cones are stable and not damaged
- •Verify balls are properly inflated and in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during dodging activities
- •Trips and falls when changing direction quickly
- •Rough or dangerous tagging technique
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between students during movement
- •Progressive skill building from individual to opposed practice
- •Constant monitoring of tagging technique
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor high-activity areas during games
- •Watch for fatigue affecting safe movement
Emergency Procedures
STOP signal, immediate assessment, appropriate first aid response, clear emergency contact procedures