Lesson 4 - Changing Direction Skills
Skills To Strategy
•Year 6
•Netball
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How can we use clever movement to outsmart defenders and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To select and apply different movement skills to lose a defender
- To use netball rules consistently in game situations
- To receive the ball with increasing control under pressure
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective change of direction techniques
- Students will show understanding of space and timing in netball
- Students will apply rules knowledge consistently during game play
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around activity areas, check for correct pressure
Alternative: Size 4 balls, tennis balls for younger students
Various colours for different activities, placed around perimeter initially
Alternative: Flat markers, bean bags
Two contrasting colours for team identification
Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts
Mark netball third lines if court markings not available
Alternative: Flat markers, chalk lines
Key Vocabulary
A quick movement technique used to alter your path and lose a defender
The player trying to prevent the attacking team from scoring or receiving the ball
An area on the court that is free from defenders where a player can move to receive the ball
Staying close to an opponent to prevent them from receiving or passing the ball effectively
A fake movement designed to deceive the defender about your intended direction
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic netball passing techniques
- Understanding of personal space and general space
- Introduction to marking and defending
Current Skills
- Change of direction techniques
- Reading defender movements
- Receiving under pressure
Next Steps
- Advanced netball tactics
- Team strategies and set plays
- Positional play development
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Change of direction requires planting the outside foot and driving off explosively
- Keep eyes on the ball when receiving, maintain good body position
- Create space by moving away from defenders before attempting to receive
- Timing of passes is crucial - lead the runner to where they will be
- Use feints and body movement to deceive defenders before changing direction
- Communication between teammates improves success rates significantly
- Apply netball rules consistently, especially footwork and contact rules
Common Misconceptions
- Students think they need to run faster rather than smarter - emphasise technique over speed
- Belief that bigger direction changes are always better - teach efficiency and timing
- Assumption that holding the ball longer creates better opportunities - promote quick decision making
- Thinking that defenders can't be fooled - demonstrate effectiveness of good feints and direction changes
- Misconception that individual skills are more important than team movement - emphasise collective play
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries and rules, regular positive feedback and movement breaks
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment, reduced complexity in initial stages, extra practice time, simplified instruction sequences
autism spectrum
- Clear structure and routines, visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, provide clear verbal cues for direction, buddy system for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for direction changes, written/pictorial instructions on display
physical disability
- Adapt movements to wheelchair or seated versions, use larger/softer equipment, modify distances
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Angles and direction in movement, measuring distances, counting passes and scores, timing activities
Science
Forces and motion in direction changes, balance and coordination, heart rate and exercise effects
Geography
Spatial awareness, directions and orienteering, mapping movement patterns around court
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, fair play and sportsmanship
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter for optimal viewing of all groups, position centrally during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for safe technique execution, appropriate challenge level, student engagement and understanding
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggling with technique, safety concerns arise, or differentiation needed
Demonstration Notes
Use student demonstrations where possible, exaggerate key teaching points for visibility, show both correct and incorrect examples for comparison
Verbal Cues
- •'Plant and drive!' for direction changes
- •'Eyes on ball!' for receiving
- •'Quick feet!' for agility
- •'Find space!' for movement
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 30m clear area, ideally netball court size
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check netballs are correctly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Bibs/bands in good condition without tears
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during direction changes
- •Falls when changing direction at speed
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Overexertion during intense activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained
- •Progressive skill building from simple to complex
- •Adequate spacing between groups
- •Controlled defensive pressure appropriate to age group
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all students
- •Monitor high-activity areas closely
- •Be alert during game situations for increased intensity
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or seek additional support as needed