1. Recognise the need to get ‘free’ from opposition players
2. Demonstrate dodging techniques to get ‘free’
3. Discuss & explain why you need to be free from a player when receiving a ball

Skill Development: Dodging

1. I can pass to my teammates who have dodged to get free
2. I can dodge to get away from my marking player
3. I can call for the ball when I am free in a game

Working to develop new skills and techniques and apply in a competitive situation.

L Describe what the term ’free’ means in a game
N Count successful catches of the ball by dodging your player in the skill development activity

Jail Ball –  Set up 2 to 3 areas with the following game. One big game is not suitable for younger children. The objective is for one team to collect all of the opposing team’s balls/beanbags without being captured and sent to jail. The game can be played over a set time, e.g. 5 minutes or until one team has collected all the opposition balls.

• Players can be tagged once they enter the opposition’s half—if tagged, they must go to jail.
• Players attack by running into the opposing team’s half and attempting to steal their treasure (balls or beanbags).
• No defenders are allowed in the treasure hoop or jail in their half.
• Attackers are only allowed to collect one ball per attack – attackers are safe when they are in their opposition’s treasure hoop.
• When they are able, attackers must attempt to run back to their half with treasure without getting tagged – once back; they should place the ball in their treasure hoop.
• Jailed players are allowed back in the game if one of their teammates enters the jail and tags them.

• Play a 3 v 3 game, with each game played within a given area; a third of a court would work well if space allows. Place a cone at each end of the court.
• Players score by touching their cone with the ball. Players should be encouraged to ‘dodge’ to avoid their marking player. Play the rules children were introduced to in the previous lesson, i.e. no running with the ball.
• Start the game with a backline ball (team A plays the ball from their backline towards the cone they are attacking)
• Play for a set time, then move into the skill development activity below.
• Ensure all children have had an opportunity to be the receiver and then return to this 3 v 3 activity.

Development: Weaker teams have two cones that they can score in at their end of the court (space out by a couple of metres on the backline).  In this scenario, only one team should have two cones.

Challenge:  Both teams add another cone to the end of the court to score on.

Working in threes, one player will be the feeder, one the receiver (the dodger) and one the defender.

• The feeder will stand with the ball ready to pass to the receiver, who is standing behind the defender.
• The receiver must try and dodge (using the teaching points) to get away from their defender.
• When they have got away, they should call for the ball from the feeder who passes using a chest pass technique from lesson 1.

Once this skill has been practised several times, go back to the 3 v 3 activity and try and implement dodging skills into the game

to use dodging to get free from our opponent.

Dodging

• Use quick footwork to trick your opponent into thinking you are going in a different direction.
• Feint to go one way by transferring your weight onto one side.
• When your opponent is off balance, push off and quickly move in the other direction to dodge and get away from your marking player.
• When your opponent is not looking, signal to the feeder with your hand where you wish to receive the ball.
• Have your hands out, ready to receive the ball from the feeder.

1. What is dodging?
2. Why is dodging important in a game?
3. Did you have a favourite way you liked to dodge?
4. What parts of your body do you use when dodging, and how?
5. Could you use dodging in other sports?