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Lesson 6 - Tournament Play & Leadership

Tactics & Leadership

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Year 6

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Netball

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Big Question

How can we demonstrate mastery of netball skills and tactics whilst showing outstanding leadership and sportsmanship in competitive situations?

Learning Objectives

Apply refined passing, moving and shooting techniques in competitive High Five Netball games
Demonstrate effective attacking and defending tactics in tournament situations
Show leadership skills by managing teams, officiating games and supporting teammates

Key Outcomes

Students will compete effectively in a round robin tournament applying all learned skills
Students will demonstrate tactical awareness switching between attack and defence
Students will show leadership by organising teams, officiating and encouraging others

Equipment & Resources Required

Netball

6-8 balls

One ball per court, extras for warm-up

Alternative: Size 4 netballs if High Five not available

Posts

4 posts (2 courts)

Posts positioned at regulation height and distance

Alternative: Basketball hoops at appropriate height

Markers Cones

20 cones

Mark two courts with centre circles and goal areas

Alternative: Line marking paint, rope boundaries

Bibs

30 bibs in different colours

5 different colours for position identification

Alternative: Coloured bands or team markers

Whistles

4-6 whistles

For student officials and teacher supervision

Alternative: Hand signals for quiet officiating

Tournament Brackets

1 per team

Track results, fixtures and league table

Alternative: Whiteboard for scores and fixtures

Timer

2 timers

For game duration and break timing

Alternative: Phone timer or wall clock

Key Vocabulary

Round Robin Tournament

A competition format where every team plays against every other team once

Officiating

Acting as referee or umpire to ensure fair play and rule adherence

Tactical Awareness

Understanding when and how to apply different strategies during games

Team Leadership

Taking responsibility for organising, motivating and supporting teammates

Competitive Pressure

The mental and physical demands of performing skills in tournament situations

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Students can perform chest pass, bounce pass and shoulder pass accurately
Students understand the five positions in High Five Netball
Students can move to space effectively and understand basic tactics
Students know the rules of High Five Netball

Current Skills

Applying all skills under competitive pressure
Demonstrating advanced tactical awareness
Leading and managing teams effectively
Officiating games with confidence and fairness

Next Steps

Transition to 7-a-side netball with additional positions
Advanced tactical play with specialised roles
Coaching and mentoring younger students
Understanding professional netball tactics and analysis

Milestone Indicators

Consistent skill execution under pressure

Natural leadership emergence during games

Fair and confident officiating decisions

Positive influence on team performance and morale

Key Teaching Points

Emphasise sportsmanship and character development over winning
Support emerging leaders while encouraging all students to contribute
Maintain high expectations for skill application under pressure
Celebrate diverse achievements - skills, leadership, officiating, teamwork
Use competitive pressure as learning opportunity for resilience
Model positive behaviour and emotional regulation throughout
Provide meaningful roles for all students - players, officials, supporters

Common Misconceptions

Thinking winning is more important than playing well and showing good character
Believing only the most skilled players can be effective leaders
Assuming competitive pressure should make you nervous rather than excited
Not understanding that officiating is as important as playing
Thinking you can't learn from watching other teams play

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Clear roles and responsibilities, frequent positive feedback, movement breaks between games

dyspraxia

Simplified tactical roles, extra practice time with skills, supportive team positioning

autism spectrum

Clear tournament structure, predictable routines, quiet breaks available, visual tournament schedule

visual impairment

Bright coloured balls, clear verbal communication from teammates, buddy system during games

hearing impairment

Visual signals from officials, clear visual demonstrations, written team instructions

physical disability

Modified court sizes, adapted positions, alternative officiating roles, wheelchair netball adaptations

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills during games, giving clear instructions as captain or official

Maths

Tournament points calculations, statistics tracking, time management during games

Science

Understanding heart rate during competition, analysing physical responses to pressure

PSHE

Leadership development, managing emotions under pressure, celebrating others' success, conflict resolution

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position to observe both courts, rotate between courts during games

Observation Focus

Skills under pressure, leadership emergence, sportsmanship, official development

Intervention Points

Support struggling officials, manage competitive emotions, celebrate great plays

Demonstration Notes

Model positive sideline behaviour, highlight excellent examples of play and character

Verbal Cues

•'Brilliant teamwork!'
•'Great decision making!'
•'Excellent sportsmanship!'
•'Support your teammates!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Two netball courts minimum 30m x 15m each, clear runoff areas around courts

Surface Check

Non-slip surface, courts marked clearly, no obstacles in playing areas

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Netball posts securely fixed and at correct height
•Balls inflated to correct pressure
•No damaged equipment in use
•Whistles functioning properly for officials

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during competitive play
•Falls from jumping for rebounds or interceptions
•Overexertion during sustained tournament play
•Emotional stress from competitive pressure

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries with adequate spacing
•Rotation system prevents overexertion
•Emphasis on sportsmanship reduces aggressive play
•Teacher supervision of all games and emotions

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to oversee both courts simultaneously
•Monitor player fatigue and emotional state
•Support officials with difficult decisions
•Intervene quickly in any conflicts

Emergency Procedures

Stop play immediately, assess situation, appropriate first aid if needed, clear communication with all participants