Lesson 6 - Dodgeball Tournament
Strategic Foundations
•Year 8
•Dodgeball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
Can you compete against others effectively while demonstrating the school games values?
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate understanding and interpretation of the rules and accept decisions given
- Compete effectively against others using skills developed throughout the unit
- Officiate games competently and fairly
Key Outcomes
- Students will compete in a tournament format demonstrating improved dodgeball skills
- Students will officiate games fairly and accurately applying official rules
- Students will evaluate their own and others' performances constructively
Equipment & Resources Required
Equal numbers placed on centre line for each court
Alternative: Soft playground balls, bean bags for modified versions
Mark clear boundaries for two courts 20m x 10m each
Alternative: Markers, chalk lines, existing court markings
Distribute to officiating teams before each game
Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals only
Display where all teams can see current standings
Alternative: Whiteboard, flip chart paper
Prepare various categories beyond just winning team
Alternative: Verbal praise, house points, stickers
Key Vocabulary
A contest between teams or individuals to determine superiority in a particular activity
A series of games played to determine an overall winner
The process of assessing performance and identifying strengths and areas for improvement
Systematic observation and assessment of skills, tactics and behaviours during competition
Core principles including passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork
Fair, generous and gracious behaviour especially when competing
Acting as a referee or umpire to enforce rules and ensure fair play
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Understanding of basic dodgeball rules and techniques
- Experience with throwing, catching and dodging skills
- Knowledge of game tactics and strategies
Current Skills
- Applying skills under competitive pressure
- Officiating games accurately and fairly
- Evaluating performance and providing constructive feedback
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical awareness in competitive situations
- Leadership and coaching skills development
- Community sport participation and club involvement
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain fair play standards even during competitive pressure
- Officiating is a crucial skill that requires respect and support
- School games values are more important than winning or losing
- Constructive feedback helps everyone improve and learn
- Competition should bring out the best in sporting character
- Skills learned in PE transfer to life beyond school
- Every student can contribute to team success in different ways
Common Misconceptions
- Winning is more important than fair play - emphasise values over results
- Officials are enemies to argue with - teach respect and acceptance of decisions
- Competition means being mean to opponents - model positive competitive spirit
- Only the best players matter in teams - highlight different contributions and roles
- PE skills don't matter outside school - connect to lifelong activity and community opportunities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Frequent rotation of roles, clear boundaries and expectations, immediate positive feedback for focus
dyspraxia
- Simplified officiating roles initially, extra practice time for skill application, supportive team placement
autism spectrum
- Clear tournament structure displayed visually, quiet zone available, consistent routine and expectations
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls, audible cues for game boundaries, buddy system for officiating support
hearing impairment
- Visual officiating signals clearly displayed, written tournament bracket, vibrant hand signals from teacher
physical disability
- Seated dodgeball version, modified throwing distances, alternative officiating roles, adapted equipment
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills through officiating, constructive feedback vocabulary, evaluation and analysis language
Maths
Tournament brackets and probability, scoring systems, time management and game duration calculations
Citizenship
Fair play principles, democracy through rule acceptance, leadership and responsibility roles
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience in competition, emotional regulation under pressure, respect for others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between courts allowing observation of both games and officiating teams
Observation Focus
Monitor skill application under pressure, fair play demonstration, quality of officiating decisions, safety throughout
Intervention Points
["Step in if officiating decisions disputed repeatedly", "Intervene if competitive behaviour becomes unsporting", "Support struggling officials with guidance", "Celebrate excellent examples of school games values immediately"]
Demonstration Notes
Model excellent sportsmanship continuously, demonstrate correct officiating signals, show how to give constructive feedback
Verbal Cues
- •'Fair decision, play on!'
- •'Great example of respect there!'
- •'Officials, clear and confident decisions!'
- •'That's what determination looks like!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large sports hall or outdoor area minimum 40m x 20m for two courts with safety margins
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, dry conditions, clear of obstacles and trip hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Use appropriate soft dodgeballs - foam or low-pressure rubber
- •Check balls for damage or excessive wear before use
- •Ensure cones are stable and have no sharp edges
- •Whistles cleaned between users
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to face/head area
- •Collisions between players during dodging
- •Trips and falls during rapid movement
- •Over-competitive behaviour leading to unsafe play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear rules about throwing below shoulder height
- •Adequate court boundaries with safety zones
- •No aiming for head deliberately
- •Teacher monitoring of competitive intensity
- •Immediate stop signals when needed
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position between courts for visibility of both games
- •Monitor officiating teams for safety rule enforcement
- •Watch for fatigue affecting safe play
- •Intervene quickly if competitive spirit becomes unsafe
Emergency Procedures
Stop play immediately, assess injury severity, apply appropriate first aid, contact medical support if needed