Lesson 4 - Tactical Teamwork
Dodgeball Fundamentals
•Year 7
•Dodgeball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use tactical awareness and teamwork to outthink our opponents in competitive situations?
Learning Objectives
- Understand how to work alongside and against others when attacking and defending
- Work as part of a team to achieve collective goals
- Develop tactical awareness and decision-making skills in competitive scenarios
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective teamwork strategies in dodgeball variations
- Students will show understanding of tactical roles and responsibilities
- Students will communicate effectively to coordinate team attacks and defence
Equipment & Resources Required
Place all balls in centre line at start of each game
Alternative: Soft playground balls, bean bags for reduced impact
Create two adjacent courts 15m x 8m each with no gap between
Alternative: Chalk lines, tape markers for indoor courts
Different colour for each team, extra bib for doctor identification
Alternative: Coloured bands, team pinnies
For timing doctor resuscitation and game periods
Alternative: Phone timer, wall clock with second hand
Key Vocabulary
Understanding game situations and making smart decisions to help your team
In Doctor's Dodgeball, when the doctor brings eliminated players back into the game
Special abilities or rules that certain players have in modified dodgeball games
Working as a team to keep important players safe from elimination
Choosing the best action quickly during fast-paced game situations
Working together with clear communication and shared understanding
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic dodgeball rules and throwing techniques
- Understanding of court boundaries and safety
- Basic catching and dodging skills
Current Skills
- Advanced teamwork and tactical awareness
- Character-based game strategies
- Leadership and communication in team scenarios
Next Steps
- Tournament organisation and refereeing
- Creating own game variations and rules
- Advanced tactical analysis and coaching
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Tactical awareness requires constant communication and adaptation to changing situations
- Character roles create opportunities for every student to contribute meaningfully to team success
- Protection strategies are more important than individual throwing accuracy
- Decision-making speed improves with experience and clear communication
- Learning from mistakes is essential for tactical development
- Leadership can emerge naturally when students feel supported and valued
- Complex games require simplified communication systems to be effective
Common Misconceptions
- Believing the strongest thrower should always be the doctor or special character
- Thinking aggressive throwing is more effective than strategic placement
- Assuming character powers make teams automatically stronger without strategy
- Expecting immediate success with complex tactics rather than building gradually
- Focusing on individual performance rather than team coordination
- Believing mistakes are failures rather than learning opportunities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent role rotations, clear visual boundaries, regular movement breaks, simplified character introductions
dyspraxia
- Larger softer balls, reduced throwing distances, additional practice time for coordination, clear step-by-step instructions
autism spectrum
- Clear visual character cards, structured team roles, predictable game phases, quiet reflection time available
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls with bells inside, verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for navigation, tactile court boundary markers
hearing impairment
- Visual hand signals for game instructions, vibrating timer for game phases, written character power cards, visual elimination signals
physical disability
- Seated throwing positions allowed, modified court sizes, lighter balls or bean bags, extended elimination timing for mobility needs
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, persuasive language in team discussions, descriptive vocabulary for tactics
Maths
Counting strategies, timing calculations, spatial geometry in court positioning, probability in tactical decision-making
Science
Forces and motion in ball trajectories, reaction times, energy systems during intense activity
Geography
Spatial awareness, territory concepts, strategic positioning, mapping court areas
History
Evolution of team sports, military tactical thinking parallels, leadership through history
Psychology
Team dynamics, decision-making under pressure, leadership styles, group problem-solving
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between courts for maximum visibility, rotate to observe different angles
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical development, communication quality, and character rule adherence
Intervention Points
Step in for rule clarifications, safety concerns, or to highlight excellent tactics
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for character powers, involve students in demonstrations, emphasise safety aspects visually
Verbal Cues
- •'Eyes up - watch for threats!'
- •'Protect your special players!'
- •'What's your team strategy here?'
- •'Great tactical thinking!'
- •'Remember your character powers!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 15m for two courts with 3m separation, clear of obstacles and walls
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface with adequate grip for quick direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Soft foam dodgeballs only - no leather or hard balls
- •Cones with rounded edges positioned away from play areas
- •Bibs checked for secure fastening without loose straps
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball impacts to head and face area
- •Collisions between players during rapid movement
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
- •Injuries from aggressive throwing or diving
Risk Mitigation
- •Enforce below-shoulder throwing rule at all times
- •Maintain adequate spacing between courts and walls
- •Clear elimination procedures to remove players from active zones
- •Progressive intensity building throughout lesson
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear view of both courts simultaneously
- •Monitor throwing intensity and intervene if excessive
- •Watch for fatigue affecting coordination and safety
Emergency Procedures
Stop play immediately for any injury, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, complete accident reporting if required