Lesson 4 - Positional Play & Leadership
Technical Mastery & Leadership
â˘Year 9
â˘Sport Education
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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
Place balls on centre line for game starts, have extras around court perimeter
Alternative: Foam balls, rubber playground balls if official dodgeballs unavailable
Organise by colour in separate containers for easy distribution
Alternative: Coloured bands, pinnies, or coloured tape if bibs unavailable
Use to clearly mark court boundaries, centre line and dead zones
Alternative: Cones, chalk lines, or tape markers for court boundaries
Mark warm-up areas, skill stations and game boundaries clearly
Alternative: Markers, chairs, or other boundary indicators
Distribute to students leading activities for accurate timing
Alternative: Mobile phone timers, wall clock with second hand
Set up in area visible to all students for video analysis session
Alternative: Printed images of dodgeball positions if video unavailable
Key Vocabulary
The area behind the back line where eliminated players wait before re-entering the game
Specialist position focused on accurate, powerful throws to eliminate opponents
Player who specialises in catching thrown balls to eliminate opponents and save teammates
Agile player who avoids being hit through quick movement and evasive techniques
Fast player who retrieves balls quickly and moves strategically around the court
Player positioned to receive passes and distribute balls to throwers effectively
Tactical player who responds quickly to opponent attacks with immediate counter-throws
Defensive specialist who uses balls to deflect incoming throws and protect teammates
Throwing technique using a sideways arm motion for accuracy and power
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
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
- â˘'Remember your specialist role!'
- â˘'How can your position help the team here?'
- â˘'Excellent positional awareness!'
- â˘'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
- â˘Check all dodgeballs are properly inflated and free from damage or excessive wear
- â˘Ensure coloured bibs are clean and in good condition without tears or loose parts
- â˘Verify cones and markers have no sharp edges and are positioned safely away from high-activity areas
- â˘Confirm video equipment is securely positioned and cables do not create trip hazards
Risk Management
Key Risks
- â˘Ball strikes to head, face or body during throwing activities
- â˘Collisions between students during rapid dodging movements
- â˘Slips and falls during quick direction changes and evasive actions
- â˘Overexertion during competitive activities leading to fatigue or injury
Risk Mitigation
- â˘Clear boundaries established with adequate safety zones around court perimeter
- â˘Enforce rules about appropriate throwing force and target areas (no head shots)
- â˘Progressive skill building from controlled practice to full game application
- â˘Regular breaks and hydration opportunities during intense activity periods
- â˘Student coaches briefed on safety responsibilities during leadership activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- â˘Position for maximum visibility of all courts during simultaneous games
- â˘Monitor high-activity areas including centre court and ball collection zones
- â˘Circulate between position training groups to ensure safe practice techniques
- â˘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