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Lesson 7 - Officiating and Refereeing Skills

Skill Mastery & Sportsmanship

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Year 6

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Dodgeball

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45 min

Big Question

How can fair officiating enhance everyone's sporting experience?

Learning Objectives

To develop consistent officiating skills in dodgeball games
To apply game rules fairly and confidently as a referee
To demonstrate respectful behaviour towards officials and opponents

Key Outcomes

Students will officiate dodgeball games with confidence and consistency
Students will understand the importance of fair play and respect in sport
Students will experience both playing and officiating roles effectively

Equipment & Resources Required

Cones

Use to clearly mark boundaries and zones for all game formats

Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, or court lines

Dodgeball

Ensure balls are appropriate size and softness for year group

Alternative: Foam balls or tennis balls for modified games

Clues Document

Class set

Available for referees to reference during disputes

Alternative: Simplified rule sheet or poster display

Whistles

One per referee position for clear game control

Alternative: Hand signals or verbal commands

Key Vocabulary

Referee

An official who enforces the rules during a game

Officiating

The act of supervising a game and enforcing rules fairly

Live ball

A ball that is in play and can eliminate players if it hits them

Dead zone

The neutral area between teams where balls are placed to start play

End zone

The area where each team starts and returns to during play

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic dodgeball rules and gameplay
Understanding of fair play concepts
Experience in team games and cooperation

Current Skills

Officiating and refereeing techniques
Consistent rule application
Leadership and decision-making in sport

Next Steps

Advanced tournament officiating
Coaching and mentoring younger students
Leadership roles in competitive sport

Milestone Indicators

Makes consistent and fair decisions

Communicates clearly and confidently

Commands respect from players through fair officiating

Key Teaching Points

Referees must remain neutral and fair to all players regardless of personal relationships
Clear, confident communication is essential for effective officiating
Referee decisions are final and must be respected by all participants
Good positioning allows referees to see all action clearly and safely
Respect for officials translates to respect for rules and authority in all aspects of life
Leadership through officiating develops confidence and decision-making skills
Fair play and sportsmanship enhance the experience for everyone involved

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Referees can change their decisions if players complain loudly - Correction: Decisions must be final to maintain authority and game flow
Misconception: Friends should get favourable treatment from referees - Correction: All players must be treated equally regardless of relationships
Misconception: Louder voices always make better referees - Correction: Clear, confident communication is more important than volume alone
Misconception: Referees don't need to watch the whole game - Correction: Constant attention is required to make fair and accurate decisions
Misconception: Only sporty students can be good referees - Correction: Good officiating requires observation, communication and fairness skills that all students can develop

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Give frequent positive feedback for attention to task, rotate referee duties more frequently

dyspraxia

Simplify referee signals and positioning, provide extra practice with basic calls before full games

autism spectrum

Provide clear, structured referee routine and predictable game formats, offer quiet zone if overwhelmed

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls and verbal cues for all actions, assign sighted partner as co-referee

hearing impairment

Use clear visual signals and gestures, ensure referee can see lip movements and demonstrations

physical disability

Modify referee role to focus on specific court areas, use seated position if needed

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Clear communication skills, listening to instructions, explaining rules and decisions to others

Maths

Counting players in queues, timing game durations, calculating team scores and statistics

PSHE

Leadership skills, conflict resolution, respect for authority, fair play and sportsmanship

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between different courts to observe referee performance and provide support

Observation Focus

Watch for consistency in decision-making, communication clarity, and respectful interactions

Intervention Points

Step in if referee decisions cause significant disputes or if students show disrespect to officials

Demonstration Notes

Model confident referee behaviour and respectful player responses throughout the lesson

Verbal Cues

•'Loud and clear referee!'
•'Stick to your decision!'
•'Respect the referee!'
•'Well officiated!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor hall or outdoor area, minimum 30m x 20m with clear boundaries

Surface Check

Even, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check dodgeballs are appropriately soft for year group
•Ensure adequate ball pressure - not over-inflated
•Inspect cones for damage or sharp edges
•Verify whistles are clean and functioning

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball strikes to head/face area
•Collisions between players moving at speed
•Slips and falls during rapid direction changes
•Emotional reactions to referee decisions

Risk Mitigation

•Emphasise below-shoulder hitting rule consistently
•Ensure adequate spacing between multiple courts
•Maintain clear boundaries and safe zones
•Establish respectful behaviour expectations early
•Position referees safely outside playing areas

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Monitor emotional responses to referee decisions
•Watch for unsafe throwing or aggressive play
•Ensure proper ball handling and control
•Oversee referee rotation and positioning

Emergency Procedures

Stop play immediately for any injury, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, inform school office if needed