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Lesson 6 - Tournament Play and Game Management

Advanced Game Strategies

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Year 5

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Netball

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Big Question

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

Netball

6-8 balls

Place balls at centre court for each game area

Alternative: Size 4 netballs or basketballs if High Five balls unavailable

Posts

4 posts (2 sets)

Position at regulation height for High Five Netball (2.6m)

Alternative: Basketball hoops or marked targets on walls

Markers Cones

20 cones

Mark third lines and centre circle boundaries clearly

Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, or existing court markings

Coloured Bibs

10 per team colour (30 total)

Organise by team colours before lesson begins

Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts or team bands

Score Sheets

1 per match (15 total)

Pre-prepared with team names and score tracking system

Alternative: Whiteboard or students' exercise books for scoring

Whistles

3.5 whistles

Distribute to student officials before games begin

Alternative: Voice commands or hand signals

Key Vocabulary

Round Robin Tournament

A competition format where every team plays against every other team once

Officiating

Acting as referee or umpire, making decisions about rules and fouls during a game

Transition

The moment when possession of the ball changes from one team to another

Tactical Awareness

Understanding when and how to use different strategies to gain advantage in games

Team Management

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

Consistent accurate passing under pressure

Quick recognition and reaction to possession changes

Effective communication and leadership during games

Fair and confident officiating of competitive matches

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