Lesson 5 - Tactical Play and Officiating
Tactics & Team Dynamics
•Year 6
•Dodgeball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use tactical thinking and fair officiating to make games more strategic and enjoyable for everyone?
Learning Objectives
- Develop and apply tactical strategies in game situations
- Demonstrate effective officiating skills with confidence and fairness
- Work collaboratively in various contexts whilst following agreed rules
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully implement tactical strategies during game play
- Students will officiate games fairly using clear communication and consistent decisions
- Students will demonstrate excellent teamwork and respect for officials
Equipment & Resources Required
Place balls on centre line before each game, check for damage
Alternative: Foam balls, tennis balls for younger students
Mark clear court boundaries and centre line
Alternative: Chalk lines, rope, masking tape
One whistle per officiating station
Alternative: Hand signals, verbal calls
Positioned for tactical filming and assessment recording
Alternative: Mobile phones, observation sheets
For timing warm-up and game segments
Alternative: Phone timers, wall clock
Key Vocabulary
Planned strategies used by teams to gain advantage during gameplay
Acting as a referee to ensure fair play and rule adherence
Overall approach to achieving success in competitive situations
Organised positioning of team members to execute tactics effectively
Using a ball to redirect another ball away from yourself or teammates
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic dodgeball rules and gameplay
- Fundamental throwing and catching techniques
- Understanding of fair play and basic teamwork
Current Skills
- Advanced tactical thinking and strategy implementation
- Officiating skills with clear communication
- Complex teamwork in varied game contexts
Next Steps
- Tournament organisation and management
- Advanced leadership roles in sport
- Creating modified games with new rules and tactics
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Tactical success depends on team communication and coordination, not individual skill alone
- Effective officiating requires confidence, consistency, and fairness above all else
- Different game situations call for different tactical approaches - develop situational awareness
- Respect for officials creates positive sporting environments for everyone
- Safety must never be compromised for tactical advantage or competitive success
- Collaborative working skills transfer from sport to all areas of life
- Practice and reflection are essential for developing both tactical and officiating expertise
Common Misconceptions
- Tactics are only for elite players - actually, tactical thinking benefits all skill levels
- Officiating is about being strict - actually, it's about ensuring fair play and enjoyment
- The best tactics are always complex - often simple, well-executed tactics are most effective
- Officials should be perfect - actually, consistency and learning from mistakes matter most
- Winning is more important than safety - safety must always be the top priority
- Only confident students can be officials - officiating skills can be developed by everyone
- Tactics should be kept secret - actually, good tactics work even when opponents know them
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use shorter tactical practice segments, provide frequent movement breaks, offer clear focus points for each activity, use visual aids for tactical reminders
dyspraxia
- Simplify tactical movements, provide extra practice time for coordination, use larger equipment for easier handling, offer alternative ways to demonstrate understanding
autism spectrum
- Provide clear tactical routine cards, use consistent officiating procedures, offer quiet reflection space if needed, break complex tactics into smaller steps
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of tactical demonstrations, assign sighted partner for officiating support, use tactile court boundary markers
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for tactical communication, provide written tactical summaries, use hand signals for officiating, ensure face-to-face communication for instructions
physical disability
- Modify tactics for seated play, adapt throwing techniques for limited mobility, provide alternative officiating roles, adjust court size for accessibility
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills in tactical planning, vocabulary development through tactical terminology, listening skills during officiating, speaking clearly as officials
Maths
Counting in multiples during warm-up, calculating tactical success rates, timing games and tactical implementation, measuring court dimensions for tactical positioning
Science
Understanding projectile motion in tactical throwing, forces involved in ball deflection during shield tactic, physics of jumping in kamikaze technique
Geography
Spatial awareness in tactical positioning, understanding angles for tactical throws, mapping court positions for tactical planning
PSHE
Leadership development through tactical planning, conflict resolution in officiating situations, respect for authority and fair play, teamwork in high-pressure situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between courts for optimal oversight of tactical practice and officiating development
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical understanding, safe execution, effective communication, and collaborative problem-solving
Intervention Points
Step in for unsafe tactical attempts, support struggling officials, clarify tactical confusion, manage competitive intensity
Demonstration Notes
Use enthusiastic tone for tactical introductions, model confident officiating stance, show tactical variations clearly, celebrate both success and good attempts
Verbal Cues
- •'Safety first, tactics second!'
- •'Communicate before you execute!'
- •'Officials, stay confident!'
- •'Tactics are team decisions!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m, preferably two courts for simultaneous games and tactical practice
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, adequate grip for dynamic movement and quick direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check dodgeballs are appropriately soft and in good condition
- •Ensure whistles are clean and functioning properly
- •Verify court boundary markers are secure and visible
- •Test filming equipment is positioned safely away from playing area
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to face or head during tactical practice
- •Collisions during quick start and kamikaze tactics
- •Falls during shield formations and aggressive movements
- •Over-excitement leading to unsafe tactical execution
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear safety briefing before tactical demonstrations
- •Controlled practice of tactics before full-speed implementation
- •Emphasis on safety over winning during all activities
- •Regular breaks to assess safety and modify intensity
- •Clear boundaries and adequate space between courts
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all tactical practice
- •Monitor kamikaze technique for safe jumping and landing
- •Watch shield formations for proper deflection technique
- •Ensure officials positioned safely outside playing areas
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately for any injury, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, modify activities if safety concerns arise