Lesson 4 - Changing Direction Skills
Skills To Tactics
•Year 5
•Netball
•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 clever movement help us beat defenders and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To develop the ability to change direction effectively to lose a defender
- To understand how to move into space to support teammates
- To improve ball reception skills under defensive pressure
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate various change of direction techniques
- Students will apply movement skills in competitive netball situations
- Students will show improved decision-making when receiving passes
Equipment & Resources Required
Various colours for different zones and boundaries
Alternative: Rubber markers, bean bags
Check inflation and distribute around court perimeter
Alternative: Size 4 footballs, playground balls
Split into attacking and defending teams
Alternative: Coloured shirts, pinnies
For marking specific areas or goals
Alternative: Large cones, hoops
Key Vocabulary
Quickly altering your movement path to confuse defenders
Moving away from a defender to get free for a pass
Moving to an area with fewer defenders
Player trying to prevent the attacking team from scoring
Player trying to receive the ball and score
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic netball passing techniques
- Understanding of netball court positions
- Simple movement patterns
Current Skills
- Change of direction techniques
- Receiving under pressure
- Creating and using space
Next Steps
- Advanced dodging patterns
- Combination plays with teammates
- Match-specific positioning
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Change of direction must be sharp and decisive to be effective against defenders
- Always face the ball and passer when moving to receive
- Hip position indicates intended direction of movement
- Timing of pass is crucial - throw after the direction change, not before
- Persistence is key - keep trying different movements if first attempt doesn't work
- Use deception in initial movement to sell the fake direction
- Ball carriers must read the situation and only pass when receiver is truly free
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking gradual direction changes are as effective as sharp cuts - emphasise explosive changes
- Believing you should throw where the runner is rather than where they're going - stress leading the pass
- Assuming one attempt to get free is enough - teach persistence and multiple efforts
- Thinking defenders should be aggressive from the start - build up pressure gradually
- Believing faster is always better - emphasise control and technique over pure speed
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, use clear, simple instructions
dyspraxia
- Allow extra practice time, provide step-by-step movement breakdowns, use larger equipment initially
autism spectrum
- Provide clear, consistent routines, offer quiet space if overwhelmed, use visual schedules for activities
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for key commands
physical disability
- Modify to seated positions where possible, use larger/lighter balls, reduce distance requirements
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances with heel-to-toe steps, counting successful catches and passes, calculating angles of movement
Science
Understanding forces in direction changes, friction for stopping and starting, body systems responding to exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness, understanding of directions and positioning, mapping movement patterns around court
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, respect for opponents and fair play
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the space to observe all groups, positioning at corners for maximum visibility during games
Observation Focus
Watch for quality of direction changes, decision-making under pressure, and safe movement patterns
Intervention Points
Step in when defensive pressure becomes too intense, when students are not applying skills, or safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements to show key techniques clearly, demonstrate both correct and incorrect examples for comparison
Verbal Cues
- •'Sharp cut!'
- •'Face the ball!'
- •'Find space!'
- •'Be patient with your pass!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor space (school hall) or outdoor hard court minimum 20m x 15m per group
Surface Check
Even, non-slip surface free from water, debris or obstacles that could cause trips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check netballs are properly inflated but not over-inflated
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Team bands should not be too tight or restrictive
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during direction changes
- •Falls when changing direction quickly
- •Ball strikes from inaccurate passes
- •Overexertion during competitive games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing between activities
- •Progressive build-up of movement intensity
- •Emphasis on controlled movements before speed
- •Regular breaks and hydration opportunities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe multiple groups simultaneously
- •Move around to provide close supervision of higher-risk activities
- •Monitor competitive intensity during games
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess severity, apply appropriate first aid, seek additional help if needed