Lesson 4 - Team Communication
Striking & Fielding Basics
•Year 5
•Danish Longball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can effective communication and teamwork help us succeed in challenging game situations?
Learning Objectives
- To develop the ability to use a ball to block incoming attacks effectively
- To understand and apply tactical communication in team-based games
- To demonstrate collaborative decision-making when teams face challenging situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective blocking techniques using balls
- Students will communicate clearly with teammates during game situations
- Students will show understanding of tactical decisions when teams are reduced in numbers
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around court boundaries for easy access
Alternative: Foam balls, bean bags for safer play
Different colours for team identification and special roles
Alternative: Coloured bands, team markers
Create clear boundaries for multiple playing areas
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope boundaries
Central reference points for defensive positioning
Alternative: Small cones, chalk circles
For timing game phases and activities
Alternative: Phone timer, wall clock with second hand
Key Vocabulary
Using a ball or body position to prevent opponents from reaching their target
Clear verbal and non-verbal signals between teammates
Understanding when and where to move to help your team succeed
A planned approach to protect your team from attack
Specific jobs or positions that help the team work together effectively
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic throwing and catching skills
- Understanding of simple game rules
- Experience working in small groups
Current Skills
- Using balls as defensive tools
- Tactical communication in team games
- Collaborative decision-making under pressure
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical positioning in invasion games
- Leadership roles in competitive situations
- Complex strategy development in team sports
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Communication is the foundation of successful team defence and attack strategies
- Blocking with balls requires two-handed grip close to the body for maximum effectiveness
- Different character roles fundamentally change team tactics and require strategic adaptation
- Teams must balance protecting special characters while maintaining offensive capabilities
- Tactical decision-making improves through practice and reflection on both successes and mistakes
- Working alongside and against others requires clear communication, spatial awareness, and collaborative thinking
- Resilience in competitive situations develops through positive framing of learning from setbacks
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking that individual skill alone wins team games - emphasise that communication and teamwork are equally important
- Believing that the same strategy works in all situations - demonstrate how different characters require different approaches
- Assuming that being 'hit' or making mistakes means failure - reframe as learning opportunities and part of the game
- Focusing only on attack without considering defence - show how balanced strategies are most effective
- Thinking that the doctor role is the only important special character - explain how each role creates different tactical challenges
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter game segments with frequent breaks, clear role assignments, movement opportunities built in, immediate positive feedback for communication
dyspraxia
- Larger, lighter balls for easier handling, simplified blocking positions, extra practice time for skill development, clear visual markers for positioning
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of lesson phases, predictable routine structure, quiet break-out space available, advance warning of character rule changes
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, assign buddy for spatial orientation, use sound cues for game phases
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for game start/stop, assign visual communication partner, written rule cards available, focus on visual demonstration over verbal instruction
physical disability
- Seated version with modified throwing distances, larger target areas, alternative blocking methods using wheelchairs or supports, adapted resurrection process
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development (tactical terms), clear communication skills, listening and following complex instructions
Maths
Counting systems (5-second resurrection count), spatial awareness and geometry (court positioning), probability and statistics (tactical decision-making odds)
Science
Forces and motion (ball trajectory and blocking), reaction time and reflexes, understanding of cause and effect in tactical situations
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, resilience and learning from mistakes, leadership and responsibility, respectful competition
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between courts for maximum visibility, move to support specific groups as needed
Observation Focus
Communication quality, tactical decision-making, blocking technique development, team collaboration
Intervention Points
Step in when safety concerns arise, when teams need tactical support, or when communication breaks down
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Always exaggerate blocking position for visibility, use clear contrasts between good and poor technique, involve students in demonstrations when possible
Verbal Cues
- •'Communicate - what do you see?'
- •'Block with your ball shield!'
- •'Work together - protect your team!'
- •'Think tactically - what's your plan?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or gymnasium, minimum 15m x 20m, with clear boundaries for multiple courts
Surface Check
Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Only soft foam dodgeballs used - check for damage before use
- •Ensure bibs are secure but not tight
- •Cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Check spot markers are flat and non-slip
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball impacts to face/head area
- •Collisions between enthusiastic players
- •Slips during rapid direction changes
- •Overexertion in competitive situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise controlled throwing below shoulder height
- •Clear court boundaries to prevent collisions between games
- •Progressive skill development before competitive play
- •Regular breaks and hydration reminders
- •Immediate stop signal when safety concerns arise
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor throwing intensity throughout lesson
- •Watch for signs of overexertion or frustration
- •Ensure resurrection process doesn't create collision risks
Emergency Procedures
Immediate stop and assess protocol, basic first aid available, clear evacuation route established