Footwork Movement Focus

Year Level

Year 8 (Australian Curriculum v9 aligned)

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

30 students

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Unit Context: "Netball Skills Showcase"

Lesson 3 of 6
Lesson Title: Footwork and Movement: Dodging Techniques
Lesson Description:
Students will explore footwork fundamentals, learning how to pivot and dodge effectively. This lesson will integrate agility drills emphasising quick movements and spatial awareness on the court, aligned with the Australian Curriculum Health and Physical Education for Years 7 and 8 (specifically focusing on movement skills refinement, spatial awareness, and effort manipulation).

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Learning Objectives (Australian Curriculum v9 Standards)

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate and explain how movement concepts related to effort, space, and time can be manipulated to improve movement outcomes in netball (AC9HP8M03).
• Apply footwork skills including pivoting and dodging to effectively change direction and evade opponents during game-play situations (Invasion games fundamental skills under the general HPE Year 7-8 framework).
• Use agility drills to enhance quickness, coordination, and spatial awareness on the court (AC9HP8M01).
• Reflect briefly on how their footwork and dodging impact their movement effectiveness and positioning on court (linked to self-assessment and feedback principles in the curriculum).

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Curriculum Links

• Australian Curriculum Health and Physical Education - Years 7 and 8
  • AC9HP8M03: Demonstrate and explain how movement concepts related to effort, space, time, objects and people can be manipulated to improve movement outcomes.
  • AC9HP8M01: Analyse, refine and transfer movement skills in a variety of movement situations.
• Invasion Games skills and tactics: Develop and apply skills such as pivoting, dodging, agility, and spatial awareness essential for netball and other court games.

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Lesson Plan Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Resources/Equipment
10 min	Warm-up and introduction

• Dynamic warm-up including jogging, side shuffles, and light stretching.
• Teacher introduction: Explain importance of footwork and dodging in netball; review previous lessons briefly.
  | Cones, markers, music for warm-up | | 15 min | Footwork Fundamentals Drill |
• Teach and demonstrate correct pivot technique (front and back pivot).
• Teach basic dodging techniques: split dodge, shoulder dodge.
• Students practice in pairs focusing on controlled pivots and dodges without a ball.
• Teacher circulates giving feedback, correcting posture and effort.
  | Cones to mark pivot spots, whistle | | 20 min | Agility and Spatial Awareness Drills |
• Set up a "dodging course" using cones and markers simulating defenders.
• Students run agility ladder exercises emphasizing quick feet and controlled movement.
• Incorporate dodging around cones with changes of direction, focusing on spatial awareness (keeping head up, scanning court).
• Emphasize time-effort manipulation by varying speed and precision.
  | Agility ladders, cones, stopwatches | | 10 min | Small-sided Netball Application |
• In groups of 5, students participate in short netball games encouraging use of pivots and dodging to evade opponents.
• Teachers and peers provide positive feedback and observations focusing on footwork and movement effectiveness.
  | Netballs, bibs, court markings | | 5 min | Cool down and reflection |
• Gentle jogging/walking and stretching.
• Students reflect verbally or in learning journals on their progress with footwork and dodging skills, and spatial awareness on court.
• Teacher summarises key points and sets expectation for next lesson.
  | None |

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through teacher observation during drills and small-sided games focusing on:
  • Correct execution of pivots (plant foot, movement without travelling)
  • Effective dodging to create space
  • Agility and rapid direction changes
  • Spatial awareness demonstrated by head up and court scanning
• Peer feedback encouraged during small games to develop self- and social awareness.
• Reflective journal entry or class discussion on what strategies worked best for dodging and how spatial awareness helped them improve movement outcomes.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Modify drills for students with varying physical ability by adjusting pace or reducing the number of cones to navigate.
• Use peer coaching where more skilled students support others.
• Include verbal and visual cues for pivot and dodge techniques to support diverse learning styles.

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Teaching Tips and Novel Ideas

• Use video clips or live demonstration to show pivot and dodge techniques from elite netball players—helps visual learners and inspiration.
• Integrate a "mirror" drill, pairing students to mimic each other's footwork to build spatial awareness and coordination.
• Use metronome or rhythm clapping to help students regulate footwork speed and effort.
• Link concepts to real match play situations, encouraging students to 'read' defenders before dodging.
• Capture footage for students to self-assess and improve, promoting tech integration and self-regulation skills.

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This lesson plan aligns closely with AC v9 Health and Physical Education standards for Years 7 and 8 while offering practical, engaging activities to develop essential netball footwork and dodging skills with a focus on spatial awareness and agility. It balances skill instruction, applied practice, reflection, and assessment for a comprehensive physical education experience.

If you want, I can produce a follow-up set of lesson plans for the whole unit "Netball Skills Showcase" to provide a cohesive structure!