Lesson 6 - Full Court Play & Positions
Tactics & Positional Play
•Year 4
•Netball
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How can understanding different positions help us work together as a team to be successful in netball?
Learning Objectives
- To play netball on a full court using High Five positions and rules
- To rotate through different positions and understand their specific roles
- To demonstrate basic gameplay skills including communication and positioning
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to play confidently in multiple High Five netball positions
- Students will show understanding of basic netball rules and implement them in gameplay
- Students will communicate effectively with teammates and demonstrate positional awareness
Equipment & Resources Required
Ensure balls are properly inflated and distributed around courts
Alternative: Size 4 netballs or rubber playground balls if netballs unavailable
Organise by colour for quick team identification
Alternative: Coloured bands or team markers
Check posts are stable and at appropriate height
Alternative: Basketball hoops lowered or target areas on wall
Clearly mark court boundaries and centre circle
Alternative: Existing playground markings or temporary chalk lines
Essential for timing 4-second rule and game periods
Alternative: Phone timer or classroom clock
Prepare before lesson begins for efficient recording
Alternative: Whiteboard or simple paper recording
Download from England Netball or create visual rotation guide
Alternative: Simple position rotation chart created by teacher
Key Vocabulary
Modified netball format for primary schools with 5 players per team and rotating positions
Tournament structure where each team plays every other team once
Moving the landing foot before passing or shooting the ball
Restart given to opposing team after a rule infringement
Defensive strategy where each player marks a specific opponent
Method of restarting play when ball goes out of bounds
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic passing and catching techniques from previous lessons
- Understanding of High Five positions and court areas
- Experience with modified games and skill practices
Current Skills
- Full court gameplay using official High Five rules
- Positional rotation and understanding role responsibilities
- Application of tactical awareness in competitive situations
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical play and team strategies
- Introduction to more complex netball rules and officiating
- Development of leadership skills in sports contexts
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise that all High Five positions are equally important and valuable
- Focus on fair play and following rules rather than just winning games
- Encourage communication and teamwork throughout all activities
- Use position rotations to help students discover their strengths and preferences
- Celebrate effort, improvement and good sportsmanship above all else
- Connect positional play to broader teamwork concepts in other subjects
- Maintain high energy and enthusiasm to keep all students engaged
Common Misconceptions
- Some positions are more important than others - emphasise team equality
- Physical contact is allowed in defence - reinforce no-contact rule clearly
- Players can move anywhere on court - clarify positional boundaries
- Games are only about winning - focus on learning and participation
- Only sporty students can be successful - highlight different skills needed for different positions
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use clear, frequent position changes to maintain engagement, provide specific roles and responsibilities, offer movement breaks as needed
dyspraxia
- Simplify positional requirements initially, provide additional demonstration and practice time, use larger, softer balls if helpful
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine for rotations, use visual schedule for lesson structure, offer quiet break space if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for rotations and rule reminders, ensure face-to-face communication, provide written rule summaries
physical disability
- Modify positions to suit mobility levels, allow wheelchair participation with adapted rules, adjust court size if needed
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills during gameplay, listening to instructions, vocabulary development, expressing preferences and reflections
Maths
Scorekeeping and points calculation, timing games and rotations, understanding tournament formats and statistics
Science
Understanding of forces in ball throwing and catching, body systems during exercise, balance and coordination concepts
Geography
Spatial awareness and mapping court positions, understanding directional movement and area boundaries
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, leadership development, fair play and respect, managing competition and emotions
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between active games to provide coaching and ensure safety, maintain central position during rule explanations
Observation Focus
Monitor rule compliance, assess skill development across positions, watch for inclusive team dynamics
Intervention Points
Step in for rule clarification, support struggling students, address any negative team dynamics immediately
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for rule demonstrations, involve confident students in examples, maintain enthusiastic energy throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Find space!' - Encourage movement without ball
- •'No contact!' - Remind of defensive rules
- •'Four seconds!' - Prompt for quicker passing
- •'Great teamwork!' - Celebrate cooperation
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Full netball court or equivalent large rectangular space, minimum 30m x 15m, clear of obstacles
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from hazards, appropriate for running and sudden direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check netball posts are stable and properly secured
- •Ensure balls are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Verify bibs fit appropriately and don't restrict movement
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during gameplay
- •Falls due to sudden direction changes or poor footwork
- •Ball strikes to face or body during passing
- •Overexertion during extended gameplay periods
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear emphasis on no-contact rule throughout lesson
- •Adequate spacing between simultaneous games
- •Regular position rotations to prevent overuse injuries
- •Continuous monitoring for signs of fatigue
- •Clear court boundaries to prevent collisions with obstacles
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all active games simultaneously
- •Monitor compliance with no-contact rule
- •Watch for students showing signs of fatigue or distress
- •Ensure equal participation and prevent exclusion
Emergency Procedures
Immediate stop signal established, first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation route identified, injury assessment protocol in place