Lesson 6 - Tracking and Defending an Opponent
Skills & Tactics Overview
•Year 3
•Basketball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can good defending skills help your team control the game and create scoring opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To develop tracking and defending skills against an opponent
- To understand the importance of staying between the attacker and the target
- To learn appropriate defensive positioning and movement
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to maintain defensive position while tracking an opponent
- Students will demonstrate slide defence technique with proper body positioning
- Students will understand when and how to attempt to win the ball back
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around teaching area perimeter
Alternative: Size 3 footballs, rubber playground balls
Used for creating gates and boundaries
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, chalk circles
Ready for distribution during group activities
Alternative: Coloured bibs, different coloured tops
Key Vocabulary
The player trying to stop the opponent from scoring
Following and staying close to an opponent
Moving sideways with feet apart to block an attacker's path
Body position with knees bent, feet apart, ready to move
Illegal contact between players
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling and dribbling skills
- Understanding of personal space and movement
- Basic understanding of attack and defence roles
Current Skills
- Tracking an opponent while defending
- Using slide defence technique
- Maintaining defensive positioning
Next Steps
- Team defensive strategies
- Intercepting passes
- Transition from defence to attack
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Defensive stance with bent knees and balanced feet positioning
- Slide defence using feet movement rather than reaching with hands
- Maintaining position between attacker and target goal
- Recognising appropriate moments to attempt winning the ball
- Team communication and marking assignments in game situations
- Fair play principles and avoiding contact fouls
- Connecting individual defensive skills to team success
Common Misconceptions
- That good defending means being aggressive or making contact - actually requires control and positioning
- That defenders should always try to win the ball immediately - patience and timing are crucial
- That slide defence is just running sideways - requires specific stance and footwork technique
- That defending is less important than attacking - actually fundamental to team success
- That faster movement is always better - controlled positioning is more effective than speed
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Include regular breaks between activities, provide clear and concise instructions, use high-energy activities to maintain focus
dyspraxia
- Break down slide defence into smaller steps, provide extra practice time, use larger equipment for easier handling
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, use visual schedule for lesson sections, offer quiet zones if overwhelmed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured cones and balls, provide clear verbal descriptions of positioning, implement buddy system with sighted partner
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for game starts/stops, provide written instructions on cards, demonstrate all techniques clearly
physical disability
- Adapt slide defence to seated position in wheelchair, modify distances for reduced mobility, focus on tactical understanding
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Measuring distances for gates and positioning, counting passes and points, understanding spatial relationships
Science
Forces and motion in defensive movements, balance and centre of gravity in stance, friction between feet and surface
Geography
Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of boundaries and territories, directional movement
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation in defensive strategies, respect for opponents, honest play and rule-following
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of teaching area to observe all students, position centrally during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for defensive technique quality, appropriate spacing between players, fair play standards
Intervention Points
Step in if unsafe contact occurs, redirect students losing focus, provide immediate feedback on technique
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for clarity, show common mistakes alongside correct technique, involve students in demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Bend those knees!'
- •'Move your feet, not your hands!'
- •'Stay between your player and the goal!'
- •'Watch their eyes, not the ball!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear area, preferably marked court or hall
Surface Check
Non-slip surface free from obstacles, wet patches or debris
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check basketballs are properly inflated and free from damage
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify team bands are in good condition without loose parts
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during tracking activities
- •Falls during slide defence movements
- •Contact during competitive defending
- •Overexertion during high-intensity activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and adequate space between working pairs
- •Emphasis on no-contact defending throughout lesson
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
- •Constant supervision during competitive elements
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all pairs during tracking activities
- •Monitor contact levels during gate games closely
- •Watch for fatigue during extended game periods
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, apply appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required