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Lesson 4 - Teamwork and Strategy in Dodgeball

Strategic Foundations

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Year 8

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Dodgeball

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Big Question

How can effective teamwork and strategic thinking give your team the competitive edge in dodgeball?

Learning Objectives

Understand how to work alongside and against others when attacking and defending
Develop strategic thinking and decision-making skills in team-based activities
Demonstrate leadership qualities and support teammates in competitive situations

Key Outcomes

Students will work effectively as part of a team, showing cooperation and tactical awareness
Students will adapt their strategies based on different game scenarios and team roles
Students will demonstrate leadership skills and support teammates in making tactical decisions

Equipment & Resources Required

Dodgeball

12-15 balls

Place balls on centre line at start of each game

Alternative: Foam balls, soft playground balls

Cones

16-20 cones

Mark court boundaries clearly - minimum 15m x 8m per court

Alternative: Flat markers, chalk lines

Team bibs

30 bibs (6 different colours)

4 teams plus special role bibs for doctors and characters

Alternative: Coloured bands, team shirts

Bibs

8 bibs in distinct colours

Different colour for each character role to ensure visibility

Alternative: Pinnards, special coloured bands

Key Vocabulary

Teamwork

Working together cooperatively to achieve a common goal

Strategy

A planned approach to achieve success in the game

Cooperation

Working together effectively, sharing ideas and supporting teammates

Decision-making

The process of choosing the best course of action during gameplay

Leadership

Taking responsibility to guide and motivate team members

Protection tactics

Strategies used to shield important team members from being eliminated

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic dodgeball throwing and catching techniques
Understanding of court boundaries and basic rules
Experience working in small groups

Current Skills

Advanced teamwork and communication skills
Strategic thinking and tactical awareness
Leadership and decision-making abilities

Next Steps

Apply teamwork skills to other invasion games
Develop coaching and mentoring abilities
Lead team tactics in competitive situations

Milestone Indicators

Clear communication during game play

Evidence of strategic planning and adaptation

Positive team dynamics and mutual support

Key Teaching Points

Effective teamwork requires clear communication - teams must talk constantly
Strategic thinking involves analysing opponents and adapting your own tactics
Leadership can be shown by anyone through encouragement and tactical suggestions
Protection strategies must balance offence and defence effectively
Learning from mistakes is more valuable than winning every game
Different team roles require different skills but all are important
Adaptation and flexibility are key to success in complex game situations

Common Misconceptions

Thinking teamwork means everyone doing the same thing - actually requires diverse roles
Believing strategy is only for team captains - all players can contribute tactical ideas
Assuming protective formations mean staying static - good protection requires dynamic movement
Thinking louder communication is better - clear, calm communication is more effective
Believing individual skill is more important than team cooperation in invasion games

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Use shorter game rounds with frequent breaks, provide clear role definitions, offer movement breaks between strategy discussions

dyspraxia

Use larger, softer balls for better grip, allow extra time for strategic planning, provide visual aids for team formations

autism spectrum

Provide clear visual schedule of game progression, offer quiet break space if needed, use consistent routines for team selection

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide audio cues for game boundaries, assign sighted buddy for strategy discussions

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for game starts and stops, provide written character descriptions, ensure face-to-face communication during strategy time

physical disability

Adapt to seated or modified throwing positions, use larger or softer balls, modify court size for mobility needs

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Calculating probabilities in strategic decisions, measuring court dimensions, timing and statistics of game outcomes

Science

Understanding physics of ball trajectory, reaction times and coordination, teamwork in scientific investigations

Drama

Role-playing different characters, expressing ideas clearly in team discussions, confidence in group presentations

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding territory and boundaries, mapping movement patterns

PSHE

Leadership qualities, cooperation and communication skills, managing competitive emotions and pressure

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Stand centrally between courts to observe both games simultaneously, move closer to teams when they're planning strategy

Observation Focus

Watch for positive team communication, strategic thinking, and inclusive behaviour from all team members

Intervention Points

Step in if teams struggle with strategic discussion, if individuals are excluded, or if competitive pressure becomes negative

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate: Show strategic formations visually, model positive team communication, use pause-and-discuss moments to highlight good teamwork examples

Verbal Cues

•'Talk to your team - what's your strategy?'
•'How can you protect your special player?'
•'Great communication - keep talking!'
•'Think tactically - who should you target?'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 15m for two courts with 2m safety zones around perimeters

Surface Check

Dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles, adequate ceiling height for ball flight

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check dodgeballs are appropriate firmness - not too hard
•Ensure all cones are stable and visible
•Verify bibs are clean and appropriate size

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball impact injuries from over-enthusiastic throwing
•Collisions between players during intense gameplay
•Slips and falls during quick directional changes
•Emotional stress from competitive pressure

Risk Mitigation

•Emphasise controlled throwing - accuracy over power
•Maintain clear court boundaries and adequate spacing
•Promote fair play and positive competition
•Monitor game intensity and intervene if necessary

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position between courts for maximum visibility
•Watch for over-aggressive play or unsafe throwing
•Monitor team dynamics for negative behaviour
•Be ready to pause games if safety concerns arise

Emergency Procedures

Stop play immediately for any injury, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, resume only when safe