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Lesson 6 - Rules Mastery

Dodgeball Fundamentals

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Year 7

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Dodgeball

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Big Question

How can mastering official rules and competition strategies help us become confident, fair competitors in sport?

Learning Objectives

Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and interpretation of official dodgeball rules
Apply competition strategies effectively while maintaining fair play
Evaluate performance and provide constructive feedback to teammates and opponents

Key Outcomes

Students will officiate games using official rules with confidence
Students will compete strategically while demonstrating excellent sportsmanship
Students will self-assess and peer-assess performance accurately

Equipment & Resources Required

Dodgeball

12-15 balls

6 balls per court, distributed along centre line

Alternative: Foam balls, rubber playground balls (size 8.5 inch)

Dish Cones

16 cones

Mark two courts 9m x 18m each with clear boundaries

Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, court tape

Scorecards

2 portable scoreboards

Position visible to all teams and spectators

Alternative: Clipboards with score sheets, whiteboard

Whistles

5 whistles (one per team)

Distribute to referee teams before their officiating turns

Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals

Score Sheets

5 sheets (one per team)

Include team names, scores, and evaluation criteria

Alternative: Notebooks, digital scorecards on tablets

Team bibs

30 bibs (6 per team)

Different colour per team for easy identification

Alternative: Coloured bands, team shirts

Key Vocabulary

Official rules

The standardised set of regulations that govern how dodgeball is played in formal competitions

Competition

A structured sporting event where teams or individuals compete against each other following official rules

Evaluation

The process of carefully assessing performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement

Sportsmanship

Demonstrating fair play, respect for opponents, and gracious behaviour in both victory and defeat

School games values

The six core values of school sport: passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination, and teamwork

Officiating

The act of serving as a referee or judge in a sporting competition, ensuring rules are followed

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic dodgeball skills: throwing, catching, dodging
Understanding of basic rules and court layout
Experience working in teams and following instructions

Current Skills

Official rules interpretation and application
Competition strategies and tactics
Officiating and leadership skills
Performance evaluation and feedback

Next Steps

Advanced tournament organisation and management
Inter-school competition preparation
Leadership roles in community sport programmes

Milestone Indicators

Consistently applies official rules without prompting

Demonstrates advanced tactical thinking during games

Shows leadership in both playing and officiating roles

Provides detailed, constructive performance feedback

Key Teaching Points

Official rules must be applied consistently by all referee teams throughout the tournament
Competition is about personal and team improvement, not just winning at any cost
Sportsmanship and respect for officials are more important than game results
Every student should experience both playing and officiating roles to develop complete understanding
School games values should be demonstrated in action, not just discussed theoretically
Tactical thinking and team communication are as important as individual skills
Self-evaluation and peer feedback help develop lifelong learning skills beyond sport

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: 'Hitting harder means you're better at dodgeball' - Correction: Accuracy and tactics are more important than power
Misconception: 'Referees are just there to spoil the fun' - Correction: Officials ensure fair play and safety for everyone
Misconception: 'Only the winning team played well' - Correction: Effort, improvement and sportsmanship define success
Misconception: 'Rules don't matter in school sport' - Correction: Official rules teach respect and prepare students for community sport
Misconception: 'Competition brings out the worst in people' - Correction: Proper competition develops character and resilience

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter game times with regular breaks, clear role definitions, provide fidget tools during waiting periods

dyspraxia

Use larger, softer balls, reduce court size, allow extra time for skill development, provide coordination support

autism spectrum

Provide clear tournament schedule, designate quiet area for breaks, use visual supports for rules and rotation

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls, provide audio cues for game status, assign sighted partner for guidance during play

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for starts/stops, provide written rules summary, ensure clear sight lines to referees

physical disability

Modify court size for wheelchair users, allow seated throwing position, adapt rules for different mobility levels

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills during officiating, giving constructive feedback, understanding and explaining complex rules

Maths

Scorekeeping, tournament brackets, calculating win percentages, timing games and understanding statistics

Science

Forces in throwing and catching, trajectory and angles, reaction times and reflexes during dodging

Geography

Court dimensions and spatial awareness, mapping tournament formats and understanding international dodgeball variations

PSHE

Leadership development, conflict resolution, emotional regulation under pressure, celebrating diversity in sport

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position between both courts allowing clear view of all action and ability to support referee teams

Observation Focus

Monitor rule application, sportsmanship, tactical development, and safety throughout tournament

Intervention Points

Step in to clarify rules disputes, address poor sportsmanship, or if safety concerns arise

Demonstration Notes

Be ready to demonstrate correct referee signals and positioning if needed during games

Verbal Cues

•'Remember the rules we've practiced!'
•'Great sportsmanship, well done!'
•'Referees, you're doing excellently!'
•'Think tactics, not just throwing hard!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Two courts minimum 9m x 18m each with 3m clear space around all boundaries

Surface Check

Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all dodgeballs are appropriate weight and not over-inflated
•Ensure boundary markers are stable and have no sharp edges
•Verify whistles are clean and in working order

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball impacts to head/face area
•Collisions between players during dodging
•Slips and falls during rapid direction changes
•Overexertion during competitive play

Risk Mitigation

•Enforce below-shoulder hitting rule strictly
•Maintain clear court boundaries to prevent collisions
•Use appropriate ball type and pressure
•Monitor game intensity and provide rest periods
•Ensure adequate space between courts

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to view both courts simultaneously
•Monitor referee decision-making and support when needed
•Watch for signs of overexertion or frustration
•Intervene immediately if rules violations occur

Emergency Procedures

Stop play immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students are supervised and safe