Lesson 7 - Officiating and Refereeing Skills
Skill Mastery & Sportsmanship
•Year 6
•Dodgeball
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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
Use to clearly mark boundaries and zones for all game formats
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, or court lines
Ensure balls are appropriate size and softness for year group
Alternative: Foam balls or tennis balls for modified games
Available for referees to reference during disputes
Alternative: Simplified rule sheet or poster display
One per referee position for clear game control
Alternative: Hand signals or verbal commands
Key Vocabulary
An official who enforces the rules during a game
The act of supervising a game and enforcing rules fairly
A ball that is in play and can eliminate players if it hits them
The neutral area between teams where balls are placed to start play
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
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