Overview

Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 30 students
Unit: Danish Longball Mastery (Lesson 1 of 5)
Year Group: 7-9 (ages 11-14)
National Curriculum Reference:

• Key Stage 3 / KS3 Physical Education
• Pupils should be taught to:
  • develop competence and creativity in techniques, and apply these in different ways (NC PE Programme of Study, 2014)
  • take the initiative, lead activities, and focus on improving aspects of own and others’ performances
  • evaluate performances and achievements to identify areas for improvement
• Pupils should know and understand:
  • the rules, strategies, and tactics involved in competitive games
  • how to demonstrate control, accuracy, and fluency when performing skills

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Understand and explain the basic rules and objectives of Danish Longball.
2. Identify and describe the main positions and roles in the game.
3. Demonstrate basic mobility, coordination, and contextual warm-up exercises preparing for Danish Longball.
4. Explain team dynamics and the importance of communication in gameplay.

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Success Criteria

Students can:

• Recite key rules and objectives confidently without prompting.
• Correctly name at least three positions with brief role descriptions.
• Execute warm-up exercises with proper technique.
• Respond accurately to questioning on game roles and teamwork.

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Resources Needed

• Outdoor or large indoor sports hall space.
• Cones for marking boundaries.
• Danish Longball bats (or suitable alternatives).
• Soft balls appropriate for Danish Longball.
• Whistle and stopwatch.
• Noticeboard/whiteboard with diagrams of playing field and positions.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Brief (5 minutes)

• Teacher outlines the lesson objectives sternly and clearly.
• Emphasise safety, discipline, and respect in the lesson.
• Introduce Danish Longball as an engaging, team-based competitive game focusing on throwing, batting, and running skills.

2. Dynamic Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Activity Focus: Mobility, coordination, injury prevention.

• Instruction:
  • Start with jogging laps round the pitch (2 mins).
  • Dynamic stretches: arm circles, leg swings, hip rotations (3 mins).
  • Coordination drills: high knees, carioca, quick feet drills over cones (5 mins).
    Differentiation:
• For students with limited mobility: simplify drills, focus on upper body movements.
• Extension: Advanced students perform faster-paced shuttle runs and coordination ladders.

3. Introduction to Danish Longball: Rules & Objectives (15 minutes)

• Use a whiteboard to clearly explain:
  • The court layout, zones, and scoring system.
  • Roles of batting and fielding teams.
  • How to score runs and get players ‘out’.
• Demonstrate a short, controlled example game play with a small group of volunteers (5 students).
• Check understanding with targeted questions:
  • "What happens if the ball is caught before it touches the ground?"
  • "How many runs are scored for hitting different zones?"
    Formative Assessment: Question and answer session gauging comprehension of rules.

4. Positions & Team Dynamics (15 minutes)

• Diagram positions on the board: batter, fielders (infield and outfield), catcher.
• Explain each position’s role in terms of responsibilities & strategies.
• Discuss importance of communication and teamwork during a game (call outs, encouragement, alertness).
• Activity: In pairs, students verbally explain their assigned position and what skills they need. Rotate to ensure familiarity with all positions.
  Differentiation:
• Support students with language difficulties by providing key vocabulary cards.
• Extension: Challenge advanced learners to explain tactical positioning or propose strategies to improve team performance.

5. Whole Class Briefing & Q&A (10 minutes)

• Recap key points: rules, roles, and teamwork.
• Engage the class in a quick quiz format using signal cards (“True”/“False” or hand signs) to reinforce learning.
• Address any misconceptions or questions sternly but fairly to maintain discipline and focus.

6. Cool Down & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Gentle stretching focusing on breathing and calming the heart rate.
• Teacher-led reflection questions:
  • “What new skills or knowledge have you gained today?”
  • “Why is communication important in Danish Longball?”
• Provide clear behaviour expectations for next lessons in the unit.

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Differentiation Summary

Learning Need	Strategy	Outcome
Physical/mobility limitations	Modified warm-up, focus on upper body coordination	Inclusion and engagement without risk
EAL or language difficulty	Provide vocabulary prompts and visual aids	Better understanding of rules and roles
Advanced learners	Faster-paced drills, tactical strategy explanation	Deeper skill and conceptual understanding

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Extension Activities (for fast finishers or gifted learners)

• Design a basic tactical plan for field positioning and team communication in Danish Longball.
• Peer-teach a short recap of rules to a small group, encouraging leadership skills.
• Try to invent a “house rule” variant to make Danish Longball more challenging or inclusive.

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Assessment

Formative:

• Questioning throughout lesson on rules, positions, and teamwork (verbal, Q&A).
• Observation of warm-up participation and ability to perform drills.
• Peer feedback during partner activities explaining roles.

Summative (for later lessons):

• Practical assessment of playing skills and tactical awareness during gameplay (Lessons 3-5).

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Classroom Management & Behaviour Expectations

• Clear instructions and firm tone from the outset.
• Immediate correction of unsafe or disruptive behaviour.
• Positive reinforcement for focus and respect.
• Structured transitions between activities to maintain momentum.

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End of Lesson 1 Plan