Lesson 3 - Dodging and Evasion Skills
Fair Play to Tournament Skills
•Year 5
•Dodgeball
•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 I choose the best dodging movement to avoid being hit by different types of throws?
Learning Objectives
- To use jumps, dodges and ducks effectively to avoid being hit
- To select appropriate dodging skills based on ball trajectory and speed
- To maintain awareness while dodging in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate confident dodging skills in game situations
- Students will explain why they chose specific dodging movements
- Students will show improved reaction time and spatial awareness
Equipment & Resources Required
Use for marking boundaries and target areas
Alternative: Bean bags, markers, chalk lines
Soft balls appropriate for age group, evenly distributed
Alternative: Foam balls, tennis balls for beginners
Key Vocabulary
A quick sideways movement to avoid the ball
Quickly lowering the body to go under the ball
Leaving the ground to avoid a low ball
Knees bent, on balls of feet, ready to move any direction
The path the ball travels through the air
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and jumping movements
- Simple direction changes
- Understanding of personal space
Current Skills
- Specific dodging techniques (jump, dodge, duck)
- Reading ball trajectory and selecting appropriate response
- Maintaining awareness in dynamic game situations
Next Steps
- Advanced dodging combinations
- Throwing while moving
- Team dodging strategies
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain ready position with knees bent and weight on balls of feet throughout games
- Keep head up and eyes tracking ball trajectory at all times for effective dodging
- Select appropriate dodging technique based on ball height and speed (jump for low, duck for high, dodge for direct)
- Communicate with teammates about incoming threats and support through catching
- Demonstrate excellent sportsmanship especially when rules require team switching
- Use quick, decisive movements rather than hesitant reactions when dodging
- Maintain spatial awareness to avoid collisions while focusing on incoming balls
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking dodging is just about being fast - requires technique selection and timing
- Believing turning away protects you - actually makes you more vulnerable to hits
- Assuming all dodges should be dramatic - small, quick movements often more effective
- Thinking teamwork doesn't matter in dodgeball - catching saves teammates and communication is vital
- Believing being hit means you failed - it's part of learning and improving skills
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity rotations, clear role definitions, fidget tools when waiting, positive behaviour reinforcement systems
dyspraxia
- Larger, lighter balls, reduced throwing distances, extra time for position changes, simplified game rules initially
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of activities, quiet zones for breaks, consistent routines and rules, advance warning of changes
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls, audio cues for throw warnings, buddy system for guidance, tactile boundary markers
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for game starts/stops, written rule cards, ensure clear line of sight to teacher demonstrations
physical disability
- Seated dodging version with softer balls, modified throwing distances, larger target areas, alternative roles like referee
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Calculating angles of throws, measuring court dimensions, timing activities, counting catches and hits
Science
Forces and motion in ball trajectory, reaction time and reflexes, physics of jumping and landing
Geography
Spatial awareness, directions and positioning, mapping court layouts and player movements
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, respect for others and fair play
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around court perimeter to observe all students, central position during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for correct ready position, reaction times, decision-making under pressure, and sportsmanship
Intervention Points
Step in if throwing becomes too aggressive, safety rules ignored, or negative behaviour occurs
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Exaggerate ready position with knees bent, show each dodging movement slowly then at full speed, model positive reactions to being hit
Verbal Cues
- •'Stay bouncy and ready!'
- •'Eyes on the ball!'
- •'Quick feet, quick thinking!'
- •'Which dodge will work best here?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 15m clear area, dodgeball court preferred
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from obstacles and trip hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Soft dodgeballs appropriate for age group checked for damage
- •Cones placed away from playing area when not in use
- •Ensure balls properly inflated but not over-inflated
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball impacts to face/head
- •Collisions between students
- •Slips and falls during rapid direction changes
Risk Mitigation
- •Strict below-shoulders hitting rule enforced
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained
- •Progressive skill building from controlled to game situations
- •Regular reminders about spatial awareness
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum court visibility during games
- •Monitor throwing force and target areas closely
- •Watch for signs of fatigue affecting safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately for any injury, assess and provide appropriate first aid, clear access for emergency services if required