Student-Refereed Datchball: Hits, Catches and Disputes

A datchball game run by a student officiating crew with a head referee, two line judges and a scorekeeper. Students practice calling fast plays and handling disputes respectfully.

How to play

1. Assign roles and review the signals: valid hit, high hit, catch, line foot fault and rebound (4 min).
2. Slow-motion rehearsal: the teacher stages tricky plays and the crew decides within five seconds (5 min).
3. Game 1, 8 minutes, with crew A; the scorekeeper logs outs, catches and disputes (8 min).
4. Game 2, 8 minutes, with crew B, and the players from game 1 switch roles (8 min).
5. Review the sheets: how many disputes, how many changed the call, and which play was hardest to call (5 min).

Rules

• Only the captain may dispute a call, once per play and without raising their voice.
• The head referee's decision is final after hearing from the line judge.
• A player called out leaves without arguing, even if it gets reviewed on the sheet later.
• Hits below the shoulders; a high hit puts the thrower out.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users can take any officiating role; as a line judge they sit at the corner with the best view.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing players: the referee pairs the whistle with a raised arm.
• Students who find it hard to make public calls start as scorekeeper, which doesn't require calling out loud.

Learning goals

• Apply the rules from the official's role.
• Handle disputes calmly and with reasons.
• Appreciate how hard officiating is and respect whoever does it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 6
• cones: 8
• pinnies: 15
• whistles: 3
• score sheets: 2
• stopwatch: 1

Teacher tip

Prepare a sheet with four columns: out, catch, dispute and overturned call. Typical mistake: the line judge watches the ball instead of the feet; place them on the center line looking side-on.

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