Want access to Lesson 1 of all Units? Sign up for a free account

Dodgeball

Free Sample Year 6

Learning Objectives

  1. Choose skills that meet the need of the situation.
  2. Successfully catch a ball at different heights.

Literacy Keywords
  • Teamwork
  • Aim
  • Control
  • Catch
  • Communicate
Citizenship
  • Develop own ideas and experiences
Equipment
  • Hoops
  • Soft balls
  • Cones
  • Marker spots
  • Large soft balls
Risk Assessment
  • Suitable clothing and footwear worn by participants.
  • Equipment suitable for participants, safe and checked.
  • Area safe and checked - any hazards removed.
  • Safety information highlighted to participants.
  • Staff aware of all emergency procedures, including designated 1st aider.
Knowledge Checks

Throughout this plan you will see ‘Knowledge Checks’ to help you ensure the pupils are acquiring the intended knowledge as the lesson progresses. The two types of knowledge to focus on in PE are:

  • Declarative Knowledge: Factual knowledge concerning movement, rules, tactics, strategies, health and participation (best practiced through spoken or written observations of a practical demonstration).
  • Procedural Knowledge: Knowing how to apply declarative facts (best practiced through demonstration or participation).

  • This is the first lesson in the Dodgeball unit of work. The intention of the lesson is to introduce/reintroduce the children to Dodgeball. It gives them the opportunity to experience the game and explore the skills they will be learning and developing in the unit.
  • The main activity within the lesson incorporates many of the skills and tactics that will be covered in the unit. Playing the game in this lesson gives you the opportunity to make an initial assessment of your class.
  • By observing the children you can make a judgement on their current ability and plan your teaching for the rest of the unit accordingly.
  • Dodgeball is a target sport, so it’s important to emphasise quality, accuracy and control throughout the unit. Other important skills within Dodgeball include, teamwork, communication and cooperation skills.
  • Remind the children about safety within dodgeball; soft balls should always be used and the ball shouldn’t be aimed towards other pupils heads.

 

Activities & Games

Dodge that Ball
5 - 10 mins
  • Place 2 lines of cones down each side of the playing area (safety line).
  • Choose 6 pupils to be throwers, they must stand in a hoop.
  • All other pupils start on one of the safety lines.
  • The aim of this game is for the pupils to get to the other side of the playing area as many times as possible.
  • The pupils are only allowed to stay on the safety line for 5 seconds.
  • The pupils in the hoop must work together to get people out. They must stay in their hoops, passing the ball to each other and then aiming at the pupils running past (below waist).
  • If a pupil is hit by the ball, they can carry on running, but lose their points and start again at zero.
  • Play each round for 2-3 minutes, then swap the roles of runners and throwers.
  • Runners earn 1 point every time they reach a line without being hit.

 

Free dodgeball lesson plans image 1

 

 

Teaching Points
  • Keep control of the ball.
  • Work well as part of a team.
  • Communication is key.
  • Head up to see the balls.
  • Move into space.
  • Change direction.
  • Throwers may leave their hoop to collect a ball if out of play, but cannot throw the ball until they have returned to their hoop.

 

To make activity harder:

  • Increase the number of throwers. Play in a smaller area.

To make activity easier:

  • If a runner is hit, they lose one point, instead of all their points. Use less throwers. Play in a bigger area.

 

Chase and Escape
5 - 10 mins
  • Use marker cones to create a large playing area (30mx30m approximately).
  • Organise pupils into pairs with one ball between them.
  • One player starts with the ball, they stand still for 5 seconds whilst their partner runs away.
  • After the first 5 seconds pupils with the ball begin to chase their partner.
  • Those with the ball must attempt to hit their partner (below the waist).
  • Change roles every few hits, or every minute.

 

Free dodgeball lesson plans image 2

 

 

Teaching Points
  • Change direction.
  • Move into space.
  • Keep control of the ball.
  • Aim at the target.
  • Head up to see the balls.
  • Dodge other players.

 

To make activity harder:

  • If a pupil hits someone who is not their partner, they must complete a forfeit (e.g. 10 star jumps).

To make activity easier:

  • Give pupils a larger or smaller soft ball to work with. Limit the way children move, or the space they can move in.

 

Knowledge Check
  • PROCEDURAL KNOWLEDGE: Ask some children to demonstrate the activity/skill.
  • DECLARATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Ask other children to describe what is required to perform the task with success.
Prison Ball
20 - 25 mins
  • Place a line of cones down the middle of the playing area.
  • Use cones to create a ‘prison’ at each end of the playing area.
  • Organise pupils into two equal teams with soft balls shared between them.
  • Pupils attempt to hit players on the opposite team (below the shoulders).
  • If a player is hit, they must go to the ‘prison’ on the opposite side of the hall.
  • Prisoners can attempt to catch balls but cannot step out of the prison.
  • If a prisoner catches a ball, they can attempt to hit at a player on the opposing team. I they hit a player, they can re-join their team.

 

Free dodgeball lesson plans image 3

 

Teaching Points
  • Keep control of the ball.
  • Change direction.
  • Hands ready to catch the ball.
  • Head up to see the balls.
  • Aim at the target.
  • Move into space.
  • Work as a team.
  • Communicate with each other.

 

Progression:

  • Play for 3 minutes, and the team with the most players free (not in prison) are the winners.

To make activity harder:

  • Make the playing area larger or use less balls to challenge attacking. Make the playing area smaller or use more balls to create a defensive challenge.

To make activity easier:

  • Allow the ball to bounce before it hits an opponent. ‘Prisoners’ can use any stray ball that enters the prison area to aim at an opponent.

 

Knowledge Check
  • PROCEDURAL KNOWLEDGE: Ask some children to demonstrate the activity/skill.
  • DECLARATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Ask other children to describe what is required to perform the task with success.
Stick Together
3 - 5 mins
  • Organise pupils into 2 teams, pupils must find a partner in their team and link arms.
  • Use marker cones to create two ‘End Zones’ in the playing area.
  • Partners must link arms and sit down throughout the game.
  • Teams must work together trying to roll the ball into the opposing team’s end zone.
  • If a team manages to get the ball into the opposing team’s end zone, they are awarded 1 point.
  • Players are not allowed to pick up or throw the ball, they must only roll it by pushing it on the floor.
  • Players may move around the floor but must stay seated and linked together.

 

Free dodgeball lesson plans image 4

 

Teaching Points
  • Work well together.
  • Communicate with each other.
  • Move slowly.

 

Knowledge Check

What skills did you use to play the game today?

  • Encourage the children to think of what they did to play the game.

What did you do well today?

  • Encourage the children to think of what they have done well when playing the games.