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Lesson 4 - Advanced Tactics & Strategy

Game Intelligence Training

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Year 4

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Dodgeball

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1h 15min

Big Question

How can we use advanced tactics and character roles to outsmart our opponents while working as a coordinated team?

Learning Objectives

Develop peripheral awareness and quick adaptation to changing game rules
Evaluate and improve team performance through tactical decisions
Demonstrate effective attacking and defending strategies in competitive situations

Key Outcomes

Students will show improved peripheral awareness during multi-directional gameplay
Students will adapt quickly to new rules and character introductions
Students will evaluate team performance and suggest tactical improvements

Equipment & Resources Required

Soft Dodgeballs

12-16 balls

Place all balls in centre of combined courts for 4 Corners game

Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags for lower impact

Coloured Bibs

4 sets of 7 bibs per team colour

One set for each team, plus special character bibs

Alternative: Coloured bands, team pennants

Team bibs

7 special bibs (different colour/design)

Keep separate for character introduction during main games

Alternative: Headbands, special badges, coloured vests

Sun Markers

10 cones or markers

Mark clear boundaries for both single combined court and dual separate courts

Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, existing court markings

Tablets

1 device

Position for good angle of gameplay, move between courts as needed

Alternative: Smartphone, ask another adult to help film

Key Vocabulary

Peripheral awareness

Being aware of what is happening around you, not just directly in front

Tactical adaptation

Changing your strategy quickly when rules or situations change

Team evaluation

Looking at how well your team is working together and finding ways to improve

Multi-directional

Coming from or going in many different directions at once

Character roles

Special positions with unique powers or abilities in the game

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic dodgeball throwing and catching techniques
Understanding of attack and defence concepts
Experience with team-based activities

Current Skills

Multi-directional awareness and scanning
Quick tactical adaptation to rule changes
Team evaluation and improvement strategies

Next Steps

Advanced tournament-style competitions
Student-led rule modifications and officiating
Cross-curricular tactical games analysis

Milestone Indicators

Consistent peripheral scanning during gameplay

Immediate adaptation to new rule introductions

Unprompted team strategy discussions

Key Teaching Points

Peripheral awareness is developed through conscious head movement and scanning - model this constantly
Tactical adaptation requires immediate strategy discussion when rules change - build in thinking time
Team evaluation works best with specific questions: 'What worked? What didn't? What's our next strategy?'
Character roles must be balanced - test new student-created characters for fairness before implementation
Competitive intensity enhances learning but must be managed to maintain focus on tactical objectives
Filming gameplay provides excellent assessment evidence and motivates students to demonstrate their best skills
Progressive complexity from 4-corners to characters allows skills to build systematically throughout lesson

Common Misconceptions

Peripheral awareness means just moving your head - clarify that it's about processing multiple threats and opportunities
Good tactics only matter for winning - emphasise that tactical thinking improves performance regardless of game outcome
Team evaluation is about finding blame - model how to focus on constructive improvement strategies
Character powers make games unfair - explain how different abilities create tactical challenges that develop thinking
Adaptation means abandoning all previous strategies - show how to build on what works while adjusting what doesn't

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity segments with frequent tactical discussions, clear visual boundaries and signals, regular movement breaks, positive reinforcement for sustained attention

dyspraxia

Larger, slower-moving balls for easier tracking, simplified movement patterns, additional practice time for scanning techniques, peer buddies for tactical support

autism spectrum

Clear visual schedules for activity transitions, consistent routine structure within lesson, quiet reflection zones available, advance warning of rule changes with visual supports

visual impairment

Use audio cues for peripheral awareness training, brightly coloured balls and bibs, verbal descriptions of tactical formations, buddy system for spatial orientation

hearing impairment

Visual signals for rule changes and tactical communication, written character ability cards, clear visual demonstrations of all tactics, sign language interpretation if available

physical disability

Adapted throwing techniques from seated position, modified court boundaries for mobility equipment, alternative character roles that use different abilities, peer support for movement

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Vocabulary development around tactical terminology, clear communication during strategy discussions, listening skills during rule explanations and team planning

Maths

Calculating angles for multi-directional throws, estimating distances for safe character positioning, counting and timing for revival sequences, geometric understanding of court territories

Science

Forces and trajectories in different throwing techniques, reaction time and peripheral vision as biological concepts, physics of ball movement and catching dynamics

Geography

Spatial awareness and territorial concepts, mapping movement patterns and tactical formations, understanding of positional relationships and boundaries

PSHE

Leadership skills in tactical discussions, resilience when adapting to changing rules, teamwork and communication under competitive pressure, respect for opponents and fair play

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move dynamically between courts during simultaneous games, position at court edges for safety and visibility, use elevated position when possible for better oversight

Observation Focus

Watch for genuine peripheral awareness (head movement, early reactions), quality of tactical communication, adaptation speed to new rules, team cohesion during pressure

Intervention Points

Step in if character rules become unbalanced or unfair, mediate tactical discussions that become argumentative, adjust intensity if students become overexcited

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated peripheral scanning movements for visibility, model calm tactical discussions under pressure, demonstrate character abilities dramatically to build engagement, show protective formations clearly

Verbal Cues

•'Scan left, scan right, never tunnel vision!'
•'Tactics team! What's working? What needs changing?'
•'Adapt and overcome! New rules, new strategies!'
•'Protect your VIPs! Formation play!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 35m x 25m for two separate courts or 25m x 20m for combined 4-corners setup, clear of obstacles with adequate run-off zones

Surface Check

Dry, even surface essential for quick directional changes, check for any hazards around court perimeters

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Use only soft, age-appropriate dodgeballs (foam or soft rubber)
•Check all balls for damage or deflation before use
•Ensure character bibs are secure and won't cause entanglement
•Position filming equipment safely away from play areas

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during multi-directional movement and scanning
•Overexertion during high-intensity character games
•Slips and falls during quick directional changes
•Ball strikes to face during peripheral scanning activities
•Competitive frustration during complex rule adaptations

Risk Mitigation

•Establish clear boundaries and safe movement patterns
•Emphasise controlled throwing - power not required for success
•Regular hydration breaks during intense tournament phases
•Model safe scanning technique - look before moving
•Monitor emotional responses to rule changes and competition

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of both courts during simultaneous games
•Move between courts to monitor different character game variations
•Watch for fatigue during extended tournament play
•Listen for appropriate tactical communication vs argumentative discussion

Emergency Procedures

Stop play immediately for any injury, clear assessment area, appropriate first aid response. Have emergency contacts readily available.