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Lesson 1 - Dodging and Awareness

Tactical Mastery & Team Strategy

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Year 6

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Invasion Games

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1h 10min

Big Question

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

Tag Belts

1 per student (30)

Different colours for different teams, spare belts available

Alternative: Coloured bands, strips of material

Tennis Balls

Place in central collection area for treasure games

Alternative: Bean bags, small footballs

Cones

15 for treasure circle, 8 for dodging stations, extras for boundaries

Alternative: Markers, spots

Balls

Alternative treasure items for variation

Alternative: Small balls, foam blocks

Sun Markers

Central reference points for group activities

Alternative: Small cones, discs

Key Vocabulary

Dodging

Quickly changing direction or speed to avoid being caught or tagged

Spatial awareness

Understanding where you are in relation to others and the playing area

Anticipation

Predicting what will happen next based on observation

Communication

Using voice and signals to coordinate with teammates

Attacking

Moving towards a target or trying to gain possession

Defending

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

Consistent dodging success rate above 70%

Maintains head-up position throughout activities

Demonstrates clear communication with teammates

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