Year 5 Dodgeball Lesson 3

Objective: Practice quick movement, reaction time, and agility.

Set-Up: Split the class into two groups: Runners and Taggers. Divide the taggers into two lines (or more for larger groups), facing the playing area.

How to Play:

• On the whistle, two taggers (front of each line) run into the playing area and have 10 seconds to tag as many runners as possible.
• Tagged runners leave the area and join the back of a tagging line.
• After 10 seconds, the teacher blows the whistle again:
  • New taggers run in.
  • Previous taggers become runners and stay in the game.
• Continue this rotation for as long as desired.

Extension: Divide into more tagging lines (3 or 4) to increase the number of taggers per round and rotate play more quickly.

• The upper body weave is used to dodge throws aimed at your chest or shoulders.
• The lower body weave helps avoid balls at the hips or legs.
• A leg lift is best for low throws at the feet when there’s little time or space to move.

These techniques are helpful in tight spaces and help players stay in the game with minimal movement.

Set-Up:

• Split the class into groups of 6. In each group, 3 players are Throwers, and 3 are Dodgers, (rotate roles later).
• Each Thrower has a ball (see diagram).

How to Play:

• One Dodger enters the zone and faces the three Throwers.
• Each Thrower takes a turn to throw an underarm ball, aiming at the correct area for the skill being practised:
  • Thrower 1 = Upper body for a high weave
  • Thrower 2 = Lower body for a low weave
  • Thrower 3 = Feet for a leg lift
• Pause briefly between each throw so the Dodger can recover and reset.
• After facing all three throws, the Dodger joins the back of the line, and the next Dodger steps in.
• Once all Dodgers have had a turn, swap roles with the Throwers and repeat the process.
• Play through at least twice.

Teaching Points: This is a skill practice, not a game, throws should be accurate and gentle to allow successful dodging. Remind Throwers to aim correctly to help Dodgers practise each specific dodge.

Discussion: What dodges have they learned in today’s lesson? Can they recall other dodges they have learned in previous units (Jumping and ducking)? Can they try and use these other dodges in the main game?

Objective: This conditioned game forces scenarios where children must think mostly about dodging to avoid getting out. This will put into practice their dodging skills from the lesson.

Set-Up: Play 6 vs 6 using standard dodgeball courts (see diagram). Set up multiple games to involve the whole class.

Rules: Use the usual Year 4 dodgeball rules (as used throughout the unit and Year 4). These rules should be modified as follows to allow for the conditioned game.

• Catching is not allowed – if you’re hit, you’re out and cannot return to the game.
• Players can only dodge or avoid the ball.
• Each game lasts 2 minutes or ends if one team is fully eliminated.

After each game: Allow one minute for the teams to discuss how effective their play as a team has been and reflect on their own dodging skills.