Lesson 3 - Advanced Catching Skills
Individual Skills to Team Tactics
•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
When should I risk catching a dodgeball and when is it wiser to dodge?
Learning Objectives
- To develop catching skills for balls thrown at low levels and at pace
- To make tactical decisions about when to attempt a catch versus when to dodge
- To demonstrate understanding of dodgeball rules and accept officials' decisions
Key Outcomes
- Students will catch low balls thrown at pace with improved technique
- Students will make informed decisions about catching versus dodging based on game situation
- Students will show good sportsmanship and understanding of rules throughout gameplay
Equipment & Resources Required
Place balls on centre line of each court
Alternative: Foam balls, soft play balls for safety
Create clear boundaries for 2-3 courts depending on space
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope boundaries, existing court markings
Distribute before team selection
Alternative: Coloured bands, team pennants
For timing game rounds and transitions
Alternative: Phone timer, wall clock
Key Vocabulary
The speed at which the ball is thrown, requiring quick reactions
Catching technique where hands give slightly on impact to absorb the ball's force
Catching a ball below chest height with fingers pointing downward
Choosing the best action based on the game situation to help your team
Making very quick decisions with limited thinking time
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic catching technique with two hands
- Understanding of dodgeball basic rules
- Experience with throwing and dodging in dodgeball
Current Skills
- Catching low balls at pace
- Making tactical catching decisions
- Advanced rule understanding and acceptance
Next Steps
- Advanced dodgeball strategies and team tactics
- Leadership roles in officiating games
- Creating and adapting dodgeball variations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Soft hands catching technique prevents ball rebounds and improves success rates
- Fingers down for low catches, fingers up for high catches - quick decision essential
- Weight on balls of feet in ready position enables quick reactions and movement
- Strategic decision-making considers ball speed, accuracy, distance, and game situation
- Successful catches in dodgeball provide massive team advantages - worth the risk when conditions are right
- Sportsmanship includes accepting decisions, following rules consistently, and supporting teammates
- Progressive challenge building develops confidence alongside technical skill improvement
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: All catches should be attempted - Correction: Smart players choose when to catch based on success probability
- Misconception: Hard hands are stronger for catching - Correction: Soft hands absorb impact and prevent rebounds
- Misconception: Only successful catches matter - Correction: Good decision-making includes choosing when NOT to catch
- Misconception: Rules are negotiable in games - Correction: Consistent rule following ensures fairness for everyone
- Misconception: Fast throwing always beats good catching - Correction: Accurate, well-timed throws are more effective than wild speed
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent activity changes, clear boundaries and expectations, movement breaks incorporated, positive reinforcement systems
dyspraxia
- Simplified catching progressions, extra practice time, larger/softer balls, reduced complexity in multi-step activities
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of activities, designated quiet spaces available, consistent routines, advance warning of transitions
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, verbal cues for all instructions, buddy system for spatial awareness, tactile court boundary markers
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all techniques, hand signals for game instructions, written rule summaries available
physical disability
- Modified catching positions (seated options), adapted throwing distances, alternative scoring methods, peer support systems
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development, explanation of tactical thinking, communication during team discussions
Maths
Scoring systems, probability of successful catches, geometric positioning on courts, time measurement during games
Science
Force and motion in ball throwing, reaction times and nervous system, physics of catching and momentum
PSHE
Decision-making skills, accepting decisions and authority, teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between courts during games, central position during instruction, corner positioning for maximum court visibility
Observation Focus
Watch for catching technique maintenance under pressure, note decision-making quality, monitor sportsmanship and rule compliance
Intervention Points
Step in when throws become unsafe, support students struggling with decision-making, mediate any rule disputes
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate catching technique from side angle for clear visibility, use exaggerated movements to show key points, contrast good and poor technique clearly
Verbal Cues
- •'Watch the ball!'
- •'Soft hands!'
- •'Quick decision!'
- •'Is this a good catch to attempt?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or outdoor area, minimum 20m x 30m for multiple courts
Surface Check
Non-slip, even surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check dodgeballs for proper inflation and no damage
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify team bibs are in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to face or head area
- •Collisions between students during active games
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
- •Overexertion during intense game play
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise controlled throwing - aim for body, not head
- •Establish clear court boundaries and safe zones
- •Progressive skill building before full game intensity
- •Regular breaks and hydration opportunities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor for appropriate throwing force and targets
- •Watch for signs of fatigue affecting safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required