🏐

Lesson 6 - Full Court Play & Positions

Tactics & Positional Play

•

Year 4

•

Netball

•

45 min

Big Question

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

Netball

6-8 balls

Ensure balls are properly inflated and distributed around courts

Alternative: Size 4 netballs or rubber playground balls if netballs unavailable

Bibs

10-14 bibs total

Organise by colour for quick team identification

Alternative: Coloured bands or team markers

Posts

2 posts per court

Check posts are stable and at appropriate height

Alternative: Basketball hoops lowered or target areas on wall

Sun Markers

Cones or line markers for court boundaries

Clearly mark court boundaries and centre circle

Alternative: Existing playground markings or temporary chalk lines

Stopwatch

1 per game

Essential for timing 4-second rule and game periods

Alternative: Phone timer or classroom clock

Score Sheets

1 per game

Prepare before lesson begins for efficient recording

Alternative: Whiteboard or simple paper recording

High Five Rotation Sheet

1 per team

Download from England Netball or create visual rotation guide

Alternative: Simple position rotation chart created by teacher

Key Vocabulary

High Five Netball

Modified netball format for primary schools with 5 players per team and rotating positions

Round-robin format

Tournament structure where each team plays every other team once

Footwork foul

Moving the landing foot before passing or shooting the ball

Free pass

Restart given to opposing team after a rule infringement

One-to-one marking

Defensive strategy where each player marks a specific opponent

Sideline ball

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

Confident movement between different positions during rotations

Consistent application of netball rules without prompting

Clear communication and encouragement of teammates

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