British Dodgeball teaches closer throws and smarter target selection

Get as close as possible to the target before you throw. In British Dodgeball’s Level 2 offensive tactics, the single-ball attack is the sport’s most basic form of offense. The priority is not simply to throw harder. It is to identify the most vulnerable defender and deliver the ball with enough power and accuracy to finish the play.

Closer first, harder second

The clearest lesson in the offensive module is distance control. The attacker is not hunting for a dramatic long-range launch but for the shortest, cleanest line that still leaves room to release safely. That matters because a shorter throwing distance reduces the defender’s reaction time and sharpens the odds of a clean out.

A practical picture helps here. Imagine a defender who has just thrown and is still near the front of the court. That is one of the most vulnerable spots on the floor, especially after a throw, and players are meant to adopt the “ready position” and retreat back toward the team’s back line. If you step in quickly on that recovery window, the target is no longer the biggest arm on the court, but the defender who has momentarily lost structure.

Who to target, and why that target changes

Target selection is specific for a reason. Vulnerable opponents are those looking away, those without a blocking ball, and those already closer to the thrower. That is a court-reading skill, not a reflex, and it is the difference between wasting a ball and forcing a dismissal.

In a live attack, that means the thrower should scan for posture before release. A player squared up with a blocking ball can shrink the throwing lane; a player glancing away or turning their shoulders opens a larger window; a player closer to your line simply gives up distance that you do not need to bridge. The best single-ball attack starts before the ball leaves the hand because the attacker is already measuring who can actually defend the line of the throw.

Choose the throw that fits the space

The single-ball attack has four main options: the standard overarm throw, the underarm throw, the chest push, and the jump throw. That variety matters because each release solves a different problem. Overarm is the natural choice when you can step in, see the target clearly, and still generate both pace and angle, while underarm and chest push become more useful when a quick, controlled release is the better answer than brute force.

The jump throw adds another layer by changing the trajectory and timing of the shot. British Dodgeball posted its throwing-skills video on 2022-06-30 covering throwing variations, accuracy, and power.

Here is the second game scenario that shows the difference. If a defender is close and exposed, with no blocking ball and poor body shape, a quick underarm or chest push can finish the play before the target settles. If the defender is farther away but still vulnerable, an overarm throw or jump throw can be the better fit because it lets you step in, keep the lane clear, and attack the gap with both pace and placement.

Spacing makes the attack cleaner

The offensive tactic does not stand alone. Players should “stay in your lane” when moving up court to attack and counter-attack, and that instruction is crucial for turning pressure into an actual clean out. It keeps the attacking line organized, preserves throwing lanes, and prevents players from crowding one another as they advance.

Players should also spread out from teammates at the back of the court during defensive phases. Put together, those ideas show how spacing changes the odds of success. If your team clumps together, the thrower loses sightlines and the court shrinks; if the team stays spread, the attacker has room to step in, see the target, and choose the correct release without interference.

Why this sits inside a broader coaching pathway

British Dodgeball builds this offense lesson into a wider coach-education structure. Its coach education pathway runs from a young leader up to an international head coach, and the Level 2 Participant Handouts list development of knowledge of equipment and spaces used in dodgeball, rulesets, basic tactics, safe session leadership, and fostering a positive environment.

In its 2023-24 season report, British Dodgeball sets out a vision to “inspire generations and communities to experience the benefits of playing dodgeball,” and one of its aims is to provide training to coaches, teachers, and leaders to increase participation.

BUCS recorded over 75 teams competing in the 2024-25 season as dodgeball continued to grow.