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Lesson 4 - Positional Play & Leadership

Technical Mastery & Leadership

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Year 9

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Sport Education

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1h 38min

Big Question

How can understanding specialised positions transform a team's effectiveness in dodgeball?

Learning Objectives

Lead and deliver effective warm-up activities and fitness challenges with confidence
Demonstrate understanding of specialist dodgeball positions and their tactical roles
Apply positional knowledge to improve team performance and individual contribution

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully lead warm-up activities using appropriate coaching language and demonstrations
Students will identify and explain the roles of throwers, catchers, dodgers, runners, receivers, counter attackers and blockers
Students will demonstrate improved tactical awareness through effective positional play in game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Dodgeball

6-8 balls

Place balls on centre line for game starts, have extras around court perimeter

Alternative: Foam balls, rubber playground balls if official dodgeballs unavailable

Coloured Bibs

15 red, 15 blue, 8 yellow

Organise by colour in separate containers for easy distribution

Alternative: Coloured bands, pinnies, or coloured tape if bibs unavailable

Throw Down Markers

20-30 markers

Use to clearly mark court boundaries, centre line and dead zones

Alternative: Cones, chalk lines, or tape markers for court boundaries

Cones

12-16 cones

Mark warm-up areas, skill stations and game boundaries clearly

Alternative: Markers, chairs, or other boundary indicators

Stopwatch

2-3 stopwatches

Distribute to students leading activities for accurate timing

Alternative: Mobile phone timers, wall clock with second hand

PE Equipment

1 projector/screen or tablets

Set up in area visible to all students for video analysis session

Alternative: Printed images of dodgeball positions if video unavailable

Key Vocabulary

Dead Zone

The area behind the back line where eliminated players wait before re-entering the game

Thrower

Specialist position focused on accurate, powerful throws to eliminate opponents

Catcher

Player who specialises in catching thrown balls to eliminate opponents and save teammates

Dodger

Agile player who avoids being hit through quick movement and evasive techniques

Runner

Fast player who retrieves balls quickly and moves strategically around the court

Receiver

Player positioned to receive passes and distribute balls to throwers effectively

Counter Attacker

Tactical player who responds quickly to opponent attacks with immediate counter-throws

Blocker

Defensive specialist who uses balls to deflect incoming throws and protect teammates

Side Sling

Throwing technique using a sideways arm motion for accuracy and power

Underarm Throw

Low trajectory throw technique useful for targeting legs and quick releases

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic dodgeball rules and gameplay from previous lessons
Fundamental throwing, catching and dodging techniques
Understanding of fair play and sportsmanship principles
Experience working in teams and following instructions

Current Skills

Leadership and coaching skills through peer instruction
Positional awareness and tactical understanding
Specialised techniques for specific roles
Performance analysis and target setting abilities

Next Steps

Advanced tactical strategies and game plans
Officiating and umpiring responsibilities
Tournament organisation and team management
Cross-curricular applications of sport education model

Milestone Indicators

Students can lead warm-up activities without teacher intervention

Clear evidence of positional understanding through appropriate movement and decision-making

Improved team performance when students play in their specialist positions

Students can articulate strengths and areas for development in different roles

Key Teaching Points

Every specialist position is equally valuable and essential for team success in dodgeball
Position-specific skills require focused practice and understanding of tactical responsibilities
Effective teamwork depends on students understanding and executing their specialist roles consistently
Leadership skills develop through peer coaching and taking responsibility for team performance
Self-assessment and target setting are crucial for continuous improvement in specialist positions
Communication between different positions is essential for tactical success and team coordination
Safety awareness must be maintained while developing competitive intensity and specialist skills

Common Misconceptions

That throwing positions are more important or exciting than defensive or support roles
That being good at dodgeball means being good at all positions rather than specialising effectively
That individual performance matters more than how well positions work together as a team
That position choice is permanent rather than something that can develop and change over time
That coaching others is only for teachers rather than a skill all students can develop
That winning games is more important than demonstrating good positional understanding and teamwork

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Short, focused training bursts with regular position changes, clear boundaries and expectations, immediate positive feedback for appropriate behaviour

dyspraxia

Simplified position responsibilities initially, extra practice time for coordination skills, larger equipment and reduced complexity of movements

autism spectrum

Clear visual schedules for position rotation, quiet zone available for breaks, predictable routines and structure throughout

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of court layout and position responsibilities, buddy system for navigation

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations of all position techniques, hand signals for coaching cues, written position responsibility cards available

physical disability

Seated or adapted throwing positions, modified court size or throwing distances, alternative equipment like larger/softer balls

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Developing communication skills through coaching instructions, vocabulary expansion with specialist terminology, presentation skills during team analysis

Maths

Scoring systems and statistical analysis, measuring court dimensions and distances, timing activities and calculating averages

Science

Understanding forces and motion in throwing techniques, body systems response to exercise, physics of ball trajectory and catching

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning concepts, mapping movement patterns around court, understanding of territorial tactics

PSHE

Leadership development through coaching responsibilities, teamwork and cooperation, resilience and handling competitive pressure

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Position at court edge with clear sight lines to all playing areas, move strategically to observe different position groups during training

Observation Focus

Watch for position-specific technique development, tactical understanding demonstration, leadership skills during peer coaching

Intervention Points

Step in if students struggling with position concepts, unsafe play developing, or peer coaching becoming ineffective

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate position-specific movements clearly, emphasise safety in all throwing activities, model good coaching language for student leaders

Verbal Cues

•'Remember your specialist role!'
•'How can your position help the team here?'
•'Excellent positional awareness!'
•'Coaches, demonstrate first, then explain!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m hall or outdoor area, clear of obstacles with adequate run-off space around boundaries

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from hazards, adequate grip for quick direction changes and safe stopping

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all dodgeballs are properly inflated and free from damage or excessive wear
•Ensure coloured bibs are clean and in good condition without tears or loose parts
•Verify cones and markers have no sharp edges and are positioned safely away from high-activity areas
•Confirm video equipment is securely positioned and cables do not create trip hazards

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Ball strikes to head, face or body during throwing activities
•Collisions between students during rapid dodging movements
•Slips and falls during quick direction changes and evasive actions
•Overexertion during competitive activities leading to fatigue or injury

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established with adequate safety zones around court perimeter
•Enforce rules about appropriate throwing force and target areas (no head shots)
•Progressive skill building from controlled practice to full game application
•Regular breaks and hydration opportunities during intense activity periods
•Student coaches briefed on safety responsibilities during leadership activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all courts during simultaneous games
•Monitor high-activity areas including centre court and ball collection zones
•Circulate between position training groups to ensure safe practice techniques
•Supervise student coaches during warm-up activities to ensure safety standards maintained

Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal for all activities, assess injury severity, appropriate first aid response, clear evacuation routes maintained