Lesson 6 - Netball Tournament Application
Techniques 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 we apply all our netball skills effectively in competitive match play?
Learning Objectives
- To work cooperatively as a team to defend and attack using high five netball positions
- To implement all learned skills to maintain possession and score goals
- To evaluate and explain effective passages of play in game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate teamwork in competitive netball matches
- Students will apply technical skills consistently during gameplay
- Students will analyse and explain successful attacking and defending strategies
Equipment & Resources Required
Store at court edges, one per court minimum
Alternative: Size 4 footballs if netballs unavailable
Position 3.05m high, check stability before use
Alternative: Football goals or basketball hoops
Organise in team sets, ensure clear visibility
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts or bands
Mark court boundaries and thirds clearly
Alternative: Chalk lines on hard courts
Assign student scorekeepers for each match
Alternative: Whiteboard and marker
Brief officials on timing responsibilities
Alternative: Mobile phone timer
Key Vocabulary
Modified version of netball with 5 players per team and position rotations
Moving with the ball without pivoting correctly, resulting in turnover
Method of starting play from the centre circle, alternating between teams
When possession of the ball changes from one team to the other
The difference between goals scored and goals conceded, used for ranking
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic netball passes (chest, bounce, shoulder)
- Pivoting and footwork rules
- High Five netball positions and court areas
- Basic shooting technique
- Simple attacking and defending movements
Current Skills
- Applying all skills in competitive match situations
- Team cooperation and communication
- Strategic thinking and game analysis
- Advanced positional play and rotations
Next Steps
- Advanced netball tactics and strategies
- Leadership and coaching skills
- Performance analysis and improvement planning
- Transition to full 7-a-side netball
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise skill application under competitive pressure rather than just winning
- Ensure fair team selection mixing abilities, genders and personalities
- Use tournament format to develop resilience and sportsmanship
- Focus on High Five netball rotations to give all students varied experiences
- Monitor match timing strictly to ensure fair competition for all teams
- Encourage captain leadership while supporting less confident team members
- Link specific netball skills to successful match moments for concrete learning
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking tournament is only about winning rather than skill development
- Believing only the best players should handle the ball during matches
- Assuming contact is acceptable because it's competitive play
- Thinking position rotations are optional rather than essential for learning
- Focusing on individual performance rather than team cooperation
- Believing that losing means they played badly or didn't try hard enough
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter match periods, clear role definitions, regular active participation opportunities
dyspraxia
- Simplified position rotations, additional practice time, larger target areas for shooting
autism spectrum
- Clear tournament structure displayed visually, regular routine checks, quiet zones available during breaks
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, verbal court position descriptions, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for timing, hand signals for communication, written rules and scorecard
physical disability
- Modified court size, seated netball positions, adapted shooting heights, wheelchair accessible rules
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Team communication, explaining tactics, match commentary and analysis
Maths
Tournament scoring, calculating goal difference, time management during matches
Science
Energy systems during exercise, forces in passing and shooting, teamwork dynamics
PSHE
Leadership qualities, resilience in competition, respect for others, fair play values
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between courts to observe all teams, position at centre for tournament overview
Observation Focus
Watch for skill application under pressure, team cooperation, fair play
Intervention Points
Step in for rule clarifications, unsafe play, or unsporting behaviour
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Quick skill reminders during natural breaks, show positive body language to maintain enthusiasm
Verbal Cues
- •'Great passing under pressure!'
- •'Use your pivot to create space!'
- •'Communicate with your teammates!'
- •'Excellent sportsmanship!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Full netball court minimum 30m x 15m per court, clear run-off areas
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, no water hazards, check for debris before play
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check netball posts are stable and correctly positioned
- •Ensure bibs are appropriate size and won't cause entanglement
- •Verify balls are correctly inflated and in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during competitive play
- •Contact leading to injuries
- •Ball strikes to head/face
- •Fatigue from extended tournament play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules enforcement to prevent contact
- •Regular breaks and hydration opportunities
- •Controlled match timing to prevent overexertion
- •Immediate attention to any rule violations
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe multiple courts simultaneously
- •Watch for increasing contact as competition intensifies
- •Monitor student fatigue levels throughout tournament
Emergency Procedures
Stop play immediately for any injury, assess and provide appropriate first aid, have clear access route for emergency services