Lesson 1 - Dodging and Awareness
Tactical Mastery & Team Strategy
•Year 6
•Invasion Games
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How can we use dodging and spatial awareness to outwit opponents and support teammates?
Learning Objectives
- To develop effective dodging techniques using changes of direction and speed
- To demonstrate spatial awareness in competitive situations
- To understand and apply basic attacking and defending principles
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully dodge opponents using varied movements
- Students will demonstrate awareness of space and other players
- Students will apply communication skills to support teammates
Equipment & Resources Required
Different colours for different teams, spare belts available
Alternative: Coloured bands, strips of material
Place in central collection area for treasure games
Alternative: Bean bags, small footballs
15 for treasure circle, 8 for dodging stations, extras for boundaries
Alternative: Markers, spots
Alternative treasure items for variation
Alternative: Small balls, foam blocks
Central reference points for group activities
Alternative: Small cones, discs
Key Vocabulary
Quickly changing direction or speed to avoid being caught or tagged
Understanding where you are in relation to others and the playing area
Predicting what will happen next based on observation
Using voice and signals to coordinate with teammates
Moving towards a target or trying to gain possession
Protecting a target or preventing opponents from succeeding
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running and stopping safely
- Simple directional changes
- Understanding of personal space
Current Skills
- Effective dodging techniques
- Spatial awareness under pressure
- Basic attacking and defending concepts
Next Steps
- Advanced dodging with deception
- Complex invasion game tactics
- Leadership in competitive situations
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Head-up position is essential for spatial awareness and safety
- Sharp, decisive dodging movements are more effective than gradual changes
- Communication is the key to successful team defending
- Space awareness involves seeing opportunities as well as avoiding threats
- Controlled pace allows for better decision-making than maximum speed
- Fair play and good sportsmanship enhance learning for everyone
- Progressive challenge builds confidence and competence together
Common Misconceptions
- Dodging means running as fast as possible - correct with controlled speed emphasis
- Looking at the ball/target is most important - teach peripheral vision and head-up scanning
- Defending means staying still and blocking - show active movement and anticipation
- Only the fastest students can be good at invasion games - emphasise tactical thinking and teamwork
- Tagging should be forceful to be effective - demonstrate light touch technique
- Communication is just shouting loudly - teach clear, specific verbal instructions
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and structure, offer regular movement breaks, use immediate feedback
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment, reduce complexity of movements, provide extra practice time, offer physical guidance and support
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine structure, offer quiet observation zones, use visual schedule for activity sequence, allow processing time
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of setup, implement buddy system for guidance, ensure clear auditory signals
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations and hand signals, provide written instruction cards, establish clear visual start/stop signals
physical disability
- Adapt to seated dodging versions, modify tag rules for different mobility levels, provide alternative roles like observer/coach
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Angles of movement, measuring distances between players, counting stolen items, timing activities with stopwatches
Science
Forces and motion in dodging movements, reaction times, heart rate changes during exercise, physics of collision avoidance
Geography
Spatial awareness, direction and orientation, mapping movement patterns, understanding of coordinate positions
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, managing competitive emotions, celebrating others' success
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position at corner of activity area for maximum visibility of all students, rotate between groups during paired activities
Observation Focus
Watch for head-up movement, quality of dodging techniques, spatial awareness demonstration, and communication between teammates
Intervention Points
Step in if students appear unsafe, struggling with basic techniques, or showing poor sportsmanship behaviours
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Always show dodging techniques at slow speed first, then build to full pace. Exaggerate head position and foot movements for clarity
Verbal Cues
- •'Heads up, eyes forward!'
- •'Sharp changes, quick feet!'
- •'Find the spaces!'
- •'Communicate with your team!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m clear space, indoor hall or outdoor playground suitable
Surface Check
Dry, even surface completely free from debris, obstacles or trip hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check tag belts for secure fastenings and no sharp edges
- •Ensure balls are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Verify cones are stable and visible with no damage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during central dodging activity
- •Falls from rapid direction changes
- •Tag belt entanglement or injury
- •Overexertion in competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and explained before activities
- •Adequate spacing enforced between groups and individuals
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex challenges
- •Controlled pace in multi-person dodging scenarios
- •Safe tagging technique demonstrated and enforced
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all activity areas
- •Monitor central dodging area particularly closely
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
- •Ensure fair play and safe contact in tag games
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal for immediate activity cessation, assess any incidents appropriately, provide first aid support as needed, clear evacuation routes maintained