Level 2 Tactics

This page contains visualisations of a range of tactics which are useful at a range of dodgeball levels. The more basic of these tactics are taught in the Level 1 Award in Coaching Dodgeball whilst the rest are covered in the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Dodgeball.

All relevant tactics are visualised in both the u11 3-ball game and the 5-ball game which all other age groups play.

Offensive Tactics - 3 Ball

A basic group throw is a great way of reliably eliminating an opposing player. Players need to organise who their target is and the timing of the throw.

Sometimes, you may wish to have a player hold their ball instead of throwing it so they can cover and defend their teammates after a group throw. Perhaps they could fake a throw to help their teammates score hits?

All players can fake a throw before releasing a group throw – this will draw out big dodges and allow you to make easier hits or even allow you to get more ball possession if opponents pre-throw.

You have lots of options if you organise attacks before ‘play ball’ is called as any number of players can release or hold. This quick play allows you to keep more balls on your side for protection.

Defensive Tactics - 3 Ball

Covering your teammates is important. If you have a ball, you should try to be the highest up the court to attract attention away from more vulnerable teammates.

Whilst covering your teammates, you shouldn’t generally ever let a teammate be hit whilst you let your opponent return to their back line safely. Instead, you should look to make a trade with an opponent ensuring that one player from each team goes out.

A counterattack gives the defending team one way of pressuring opponents after they have made a group throw. A ball holder must run, protect themselves from any incoming attacks and then close the distance between themselves and their opponent before making a hit.

A defensive tactic where you throw to hit an opponent just before they make their own throw. This may hit them out or cause them to block which can disrupt their team’s group throw and mean your team might be more protected.

A defensive tactic where you hit an opponent just after they have made a group throw. This means they are vulnerable as they are high up court with no ball to use to block incoming attacks.

Offensive Tactics - 5 Ball

A basic group throw is a great way of reliably eliminating an opposing player. Players need to organise who their target is and the timing of the throw.

Sometimes, you may wish to have a player hold their ball instead of throwing it so they can cover and defend their teammates after a group throw.

All players can fake a throw before releasing a group throw – this will draw out big dodges and allow you to make easier hits or even allow you to get more ball possession if opponents pre-throw.

You have lots of options if you organise attacks before ‘play ball’ is called as any number of players can release or hold. This quick play allows you to keep more balls on your side for protection.

Defensive Tactics - 5 Ball

Covering your teammates is important. If you have a ball, you should try to be the highest up the court to attract attention away from more vulnerable teammates.

Whilst covering your teammates, you shouldn’t generally ever let a teammate be hit whilst you let your opponent return to their back line safely. Instead, you should look to make a trade with an opponent ensuring that one player from each team goes out.

A counterattack gives the defending team one way of pressuring opponents after they have made a group throw. A ball holder must run, protect themselves from any incoming attacks and then close the distance between themselves and their opponent before making a hit.

A defensive tactic where you throw to hit an opponent just before they make their own throw. This may hit them out or cause them to block which can disrupt their team’s group throw and mean your team might be more protected.

A defensive tactic where you hit an opponent just after they have made a group throw. This means they are vulnerable as they are high up court with no ball to use to block incoming attacks.

An organised defensive tactic used solely in the 5-ball game. In a 3v2 ball situation, the defending team’s ball holders complete counters and then target vulnerable players as they retreat.

An organised defensive tactic used solely in the 5-ball game. In a 3v2 ball situation, the defending team’s ball holders both perform pre-throws at either the same or different opponents to disrupt their group throw and make hits.