Lesson 6 - Tournament Play & Reflection
Individual Skills to Team Tactics
•Year 5
•Dodgeball
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How can I use all my dodgeball skills and knowledge to compete fairly and reflect honestly on my performance?
Learning Objectives
- To compete effectively in a dodgeball tournament using official rules
- To demonstrate understanding of game tactics and team strategies
- To reflect on personal performance and identify areas for improvement
Key Outcomes
- Students will compete in multiple dodgeball matches using official rules
- Students will referee games fairly and accept decisions from officials
- Students will evaluate their own and others' performance using the school games values
Equipment & Resources Required
6-8 balls placed on centre line for each court
Alternative: Foam balls, playground balls (softer option)
Mark two identical courts with clear boundaries and centre lines
Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, or existing court markings
Each team gets matching colour identification
Alternative: Coloured bands, pinnies, or house t-shirts
One whistle per court for student referees
Alternative: Voice commands, hand clapping
To time 3-5 minute game periods
Alternative: Mobile phone timer, wall clock
For recording performance evidence and assessment photos
Alternative: Mobile phone camera
Key Vocabulary
A competition involving multiple teams playing a series of games
The standardised regulations that govern how dodgeball is played in competition
An official who makes decisions about rule violations and ensures fair play
Planned strategies used to gain an advantage over opponents
Playing fairly and showing respect for opponents, teammates, and officials
Honestly assessing your own performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic dodgeball throwing and catching techniques
- Understanding of basic game rules and court boundaries
- Experience working in teams and following instructions
Current Skills
- Tournament-level game play with official rules
- Advanced tactical decision-making in competitive situations
- Peer assessment and reflection on performance
Next Steps
- Apply dodgeball skills in inter-school competitions
- Transfer tactical awareness to other invasion games
- Develop leadership skills through coaching younger students
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise tactical decision-making and reading the game situation throughout the tournament
- Maintain focus on fair play and sportsmanship despite competitive pressure
- Encourage honest self-assessment and constructive peer feedback after each game
- Highlight the importance of quality refereeing and accepting officials' decisions
- Connect physical skills to tactical awareness for effective competitive performance
- Celebrate both technical achievement and effort-based improvement equally
- Use tournament format to demonstrate real-world application of learned skills
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking harder throws are always more effective - teach accuracy and timing over power
- Believing only the most skilled players can contribute - emphasise different strengths and roles
- Assuming tournament pressure means abandoning learned techniques - reinforce practice application
- Thinking referees should favour friends - teach objectivity and fairness in officiating
- Believing competition is only about winning - emphasise personal improvement and enjoyment
- Assuming reflection is just saying positive things - teach honest, constructive self-evaluation
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent active roles to maintain engagement, clear boundaries and expectations, immediate feedback and encouragement, structured breaks
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls for easier catching, reduced throwing distances, extra practice time, focus on improvement rather than comparison
autism spectrum
- Clear structure with visual tournament bracket, predictable routines, quiet spaces available for breaks, advance notice of any changes
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and high contrast court markings, provide verbal descriptions of game situations, use sound cues for ball location
hearing impairment
- Clear visual signals for game starts and stops, written rules and tactics charts, ensure eye contact for all instructions
physical disability
- Adapted throwing positions and distances, modified court sizes, alternative roles such as scorekeeper or tactical advisor
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Developing vocabulary around competition and tactics, clear communication during team discussions, giving and receiving constructive feedback
Maths
Tournament scoring and statistics, calculating win percentages, timing games accurately, measuring court dimensions and distances
Science
Understanding forces in throwing and catching, trajectory and accuracy, reaction times in competitive situations, energy systems during physical activity
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation skills, managing competitive emotions, showing respect for others, honest self-evaluation and reflection
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between two courts allowing clear view of both games simultaneously, move between courts during breaks for closer observation
Observation Focus
Monitor tactical decision-making, rule adherence, sportsmanship demonstration, and referee quality throughout tournament
Intervention Points
Step in if unsafe play observed, support referees with difficult decisions, manage any conflicts between teams, ensure fair rotation timing
Demonstration Notes
Use specific examples from games to highlight good tactics and sportsmanship, record video evidence for assessment purposes, celebrate improvement throughout tournament
Verbal Cues
- •'Great tactical thinking team!'
- •'Remember soft throws - control your power!'
- •'Excellent sportsmanship - well done!'
- •'Referees, make your decisions clear and confident!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Two regulation-size courts minimum 15m x 8m each, clear boundaries marked, minimum 2m safety zone around each court
Surface Check
Non-slip indoor surface, free from water or debris, even flooring without holes or raised areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Soft foam dodgeballs appropriate for Year 5 use
- •Balls inflated to correct pressure - firm but not hard
- •No damaged or worn equipment that could cause injury
- •Cones positioned safely away from playing areas
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball impact injuries from overenthusiastic throwing
- •Collisions between players during rapid movements
- •Slips and falls on indoor surfaces
- •Overexertion during competitive tournament play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules about appropriate throwing force
- •Designated referee supervision on each court
- •Regular hydration breaks during tournament
- •Clear court boundaries to prevent collisions
- •Emphasis on controlled movements and fair play
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position between courts for maximum visibility of both games
- •Monitor referee decision-making and support when needed
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration in competitive players
- •Ensure fair rotation and equal participation opportunities
Emergency Procedures
Stop play immediately with whistle signal, assess any injuries with appropriate first aid response, clear protocols for more serious incidents requiring medical attention