Lesson 6 - Tournament Play and Game Management
Advanced Game Strategies
•Year 5
•Netball
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How can we apply all our netball skills to compete fairly and effectively in tournament play?
Learning Objectives
- To apply refined passing, moving and shooting skills in competitive match situations
- To demonstrate understanding of all five High Five Netball positions and their specific roles
- To develop leadership skills through self-management of games and officiating
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully compete in a round-robin tournament applying all learned skills
- Students will demonstrate fluid transitions between attacking and defending phases
- Students will show leadership by managing teams and officiating games independently
Equipment & Resources Required
Place balls at centre court for each game area
Alternative: Size 4 netballs or basketballs if High Five balls unavailable
Position at regulation height for High Five Netball (2.6m)
Alternative: Basketball hoops or marked targets on walls
Mark third lines and centre circle boundaries clearly
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, or existing court markings
Organise by team colours before lesson begins
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts or team bands
Pre-prepared with team names and score tracking system
Alternative: Whiteboard or students' exercise books for scoring
Distribute to student officials before games begin
Alternative: Voice commands or hand signals
Key Vocabulary
A competition format where every team plays against every other team once
Acting as referee or umpire, making decisions about rules and fouls during a game
The moment when possession of the ball changes from one team to another
Understanding when and how to use different strategies to gain advantage in games
Organising team members, positions, and substitutions effectively
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Students can perform chest pass, bounce pass and overhead pass with good technique
- Students understand the five positions in High Five Netball and their movement restrictions
- Students can shoot accurately from different positions around the circle
- Students understand basic attacking and defending principles
Current Skills
- Applying all technical skills under competitive pressure
- Managing transitions between attack and defence fluidly
- Taking leadership roles in team management and officiating
- Understanding and applying tactical awareness in match situations
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical understanding including set plays and formations
- Specialised position-specific skills and responsibilities
- Tournament management and organisation skills
- Analysis and evaluation of team and individual performance
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Tournament format provides authentic assessment opportunity for all netball skills learned
- Balance competitive excitement with learning objectives and skill development focus
- Officiating responsibilities develop leadership and deepen understanding of game rules
- Team management skills transfer to many other sports and life situations
- Success measured by improvement and effort as much as by tournament results
- Fair play and sportsmanship are as important as technical skill development
Common Misconceptions
- That winning is the only measure of success in tournament play
- That officiating is less important than playing in terms of learning
- That tactics are too complex for Year 5 students to understand and apply
- That competitive pressure will negatively impact skill performance for all students
- That only the most skilled students can provide effective team leadership
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Regular active roles to maintain engagement, clear responsibilities and frequent feedback, movement breaks between games
dyspraxia
- Simplified officiating signals, extra practice time for skill application, larger equipment where appropriate
autism spectrum
- Clear tournament structure with visual schedules, quiet areas available during breaks, predictable rotation systems
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls, verbal descriptions of game situations, buddy system for court positioning
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for game management, written instructions for complex rules, clear sight lines to all communication
physical disability
- Modified rules allowing walking instead of running, shorter game durations, adapted equipment sizes
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills during games, following complex instructions, vocabulary development
Maths
Tournament scoring systems, points calculation, statistical analysis of game results
Science
Understanding of energy systems during high-intensity activity, recovery principles
PSHE
Leadership development, conflict resolution, emotional regulation under pressure, teamwork
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between courts during games to observe all participants and support officiating
Observation Focus
Watch for skill application under pressure, leadership development, and fair play
Intervention Points
Step in if games become too physical, support struggling officials, manage emotional responses
Demonstration Notes
Highlight excellent examples of play as they occur, model positive leadership and sportsmanship
Verbal Cues
- •'Great passing under pressure!'
- •'Excellent officiating decision!'
- •'Show me that position discipline!'
- •'Brilliant team communication!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Two full netball courts or equivalent marked areas, minimum 30m x 15m each
Surface Check
Even, non-slip surface free from hazards, goal posts securely positioned
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Netballs properly inflated and checked for damage
- •Goal posts stable and at correct height
- •Bibs clean and appropriate sizes available
- •Whistles checked for clear, loud sound
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during competitive play
- •Aggressive contact when defending
- •Emotional responses to competitive pressure
- •Fatigue affecting concentration and safety
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and court markings established
- •Officials trained to stop play for safety concerns
- •Regular monitoring of emotional responses during games
- •Adequate rest periods between high-intensity matches
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position between courts for maximum visibility of all games
- •Monitor competitive intensity and emotional responses
- •Support officials in making safety-related decisions
Emergency Procedures
Stop all play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required