Lesson 5 - Officiating Skills
Dodgeball Fundamentals
•Year 7
•Dodgeball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can tactical thinking and fair officiating transform the way we play and understand sport?
Learning Objectives
- Develop tactical awareness through structured gameplay and strategic thinking
- Demonstrate effective officiating skills with confidence and fairness
- Work collaboratively to implement team tactics and respect decisions
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully execute at least 3 different tactical approaches during gameplay
- Students will officiate games fairly while making clear, confident decisions
- Students will demonstrate improved teamwork through communication and mutual respect
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed evenly along centre line at start of each game
Alternative: Foam balls, volleyball-sized rubber balls
Mark clear court boundaries and centre line
Alternative: Court markings, rope barriers
One whistle per officiating student
Alternative: Hand signals only if whistles unavailable
Positioned for easy visibility by all teams
Alternative: Paper and clipboards, digital scoring apps
Clearly distinguish teams during multiple games
Alternative: House shirts, coloured bands
Key Vocabulary
Planned strategies used by teams to gain advantages during gameplay
Tactical move to gain early advantage by coordinating fast collection and immediate throw
Defensive tactic using a ball to deflect incoming throws while protecting teammates
Coordinated offensive strategy targeting one opponent with multiple simultaneous throws
Deceptive tactic using one throw to distract while another player attacks
High-risk attack involving crossing the centre line for closer range advantage
Acting as referee to ensure fair play and enforce rules consistently
Making the same decisions for similar situations throughout the game
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic dodgeball rules and safety procedures
- Fundamental throwing and catching techniques
- Understanding of court boundaries and basic gameplay
Current Skills
- Tactical thinking and strategic planning
- Officiating skills and decision-making
- Advanced teamwork and communication under pressure
Next Steps
- Leadership in competitive sporting environments
- Advanced tactical analysis and game reading
- Mentoring and coaching skills development
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Tactical success depends on clear communication and coordination between teammates
- Effective officiating requires confidence, consistency, and fairness in all decisions
- Respectful behaviour toward officials builds character and sportsmanship
- Advanced tactics require practice and patience - celebrate attempts even when unsuccessful
- Safety awareness must be maintained even during competitive and tactical gameplay
- Leadership skills develop through both playing and officiating experiences
- Communication skills learned in sport transfer directly to life situations
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Tactics are only for advanced players. Correction: Everyone can contribute to tactical success through good communication and positioning
- Misconception: Officiating is easy and officials make mistakes on purpose. Correction: Officiating requires skill, concentration, and deserves respect
- Misconception: Winning is more important than how you play. Correction: Character development and sportsmanship create lasting value beyond game results
- Misconception: Complex tactics are always better than simple ones. Correction: The best tactic is the one executed successfully by the whole team
- Misconception: Only team captains need to communicate. Correction: Every team member contributes to tactical success through communication
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Implement shorter tactical focus periods, provide regular movement breaks, use clear boundary markers and structured rotation systems
dyspraxia
- Simplify initial tactical movements, provide additional practice time, use larger equipment and reduced complexity versions
autism spectrum
- Provide clear tactical routine cards, establish quiet zones for breaks, use visual schedules for lesson progression
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls with sound devices, provide verbal descriptions of tactical positioning, implement buddy system for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Develop visual signal systems for tactics and officiating, use written tactical cards, ensure face-to-face communication during demonstrations
physical disability
- Adapt tactics for seated play or limited mobility, modify throwing distances and techniques, create inclusive roles in officiating
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills development, vocabulary expansion with technical terms, descriptive language in tactical analysis
Maths
Numerical systems in Number Attack tactics, coordinate geometry in court positioning, statistics in game scoring and success rates
Science
Forces and motion in ball trajectories, physics of deflection in Shield tactics, biomechanics of throwing techniques
Drama
Role-playing in officiating scenarios, confidence building through public decision-making, body language in leadership
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, directional language, mapping court strategies and movement patterns
PSHE
Leadership development through officiating roles, conflict resolution through fair play, resilience in competitive situations
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between courts during multiple games, position at corners for optimal visibility during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical understanding, communication quality, safety awareness, and respectful behaviour
Intervention Points
Step in when tactics become unsafe, when officiating needs support, or when team dynamics become negative
Demonstration Notes
Use students as volunteers frequently, exaggerate movements for visibility, model positive language throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Remember your communication calls!'
- •'Show respect for that decision!'
- •'Great tactical thinking - now execute it!'
- •'Safety first with that Kamikaze!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m clear space for full court, additional space for multiple courts if available
Surface Check
Non-slip surface free from hazards, adequate line markings for boundaries
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check dodgeballs are appropriate softness and proper inflation
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify whistles are clean and functioning properly
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or face
- •Collisions during aggressive play
- •Slips and falls during rapid direction changes
- •Overexertion during intensive tactical games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules about targeting below shoulders only
- •Adequate spacing between courts and clear boundaries
- •Progressive intensity building throughout lesson
- •Regular breaks and hydration opportunities
- •Proper warm-up and cool-down procedures
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor for overcompetitive behaviour affecting safety
- •Watch particularly during Kamikaze tactic demonstrations and practice
- •Ensure referees maintain safety awareness alongside rule enforcement
Emergency Procedures
Immediate stop signal, assessment of injury, appropriate first aid response, clear evacuation routes identified