Lesson 2 - Passing and Defending
Strategic Fundamentals in Play
•Year 3
•Netball
•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 we use smart passing techniques and positioning to outwit defenders in netball?
Learning Objectives
- To develop passing techniques including feinting and 'giving the eyes' to beat defenders
- To understand and apply basic defensive positioning and interception skills
- To reflect on and recognise success in self and others through assessment
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved passing accuracy under defensive pressure
- Students will show understanding of defensive ready position and movement
- Students will effectively assess their own and peers' performance using success criteria
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around activity areas for quick access
Alternative: Size 4 footballs or playground balls
Mark 10m x 10m squares and player positions
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or chalk marks
Mark specific standing positions for activities
Alternative: Small cones or painted marks
To distinguish teams in game situations
Alternative: Team bands or coloured t-shirts
Key Vocabulary
A deceptive movement to mislead the defender about your intended direction
Looking in one direction to deceive the defender, then passing in another direction
Successfully catching or deflecting a pass intended for the opposing team
Balanced defensive stance on balls of feet, arms ready, eyes on the ball
Mirroring an opponent's movements to stay close and limit their options
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic netball passing techniques (chest pass, bounce pass)
- Understanding of team games and cooperation
- Simple catching and throwing skills
Current Skills
- Passing under pressure with deception techniques
- Individual defensive positioning and interception
- Self and peer assessment of performance
Next Steps
- Team defensive strategies and communication
- Advanced passing combinations in game situations
- Positional play in full netball games
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Defensive ready position - on balls of feet, knees bent, arms ready to react
- Passing deception - use eyes and body feints to mislead defenders
- Quick passing - release ball promptly to maintain possession under pressure
- Spatial awareness - maintain appropriate distances for safety and effectiveness
- Communication - encourage teammates and provide constructive feedback
- Progressive challenge - start simple and build complexity gradually
- Safety first - no physical contact in defending situations
Common Misconceptions
- Defence means physical contact or tackling - correct with emphasis on positioning and interception
- Loud passes are more effective - correct with focus on accuracy and timing over power
- Looking at the target helps accuracy - correct by teaching deception through eye direction
- Staying still when defending - correct by emphasising active movement and reaction
- Only one type of pass works in games - correct by encouraging variety and adaptability
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with frequent changes, clear boundaries and expectations, positive reinforcement for focus
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls for easier catching, reduced complexity in movement patterns, extra practice time for coordination skills
autism spectrum
- Clear activity structure with visual schedules, quiet zones available for breaks, consistent routines and expectations
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and bibs, provide clear verbal descriptions of activities, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations extensively, hand signals for instructions, written activity cards with pictures
physical disability
- Adapted distances for throwing, seated passing options, modified defensive positions, larger balls for easier handling
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting consecutive passes, measuring distances for court setup, calculating scores and success rates
Science
Understanding forces in passing, trajectory and angles, reaction times in defending
Geography
Spatial awareness, positioning and movement patterns, understanding of directions and space
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing defensive pressure, fair play and sportsmanship
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between groups during activities, position at corner of area during explanations for maximum visibility
Observation Focus
Watch for correct defensive stance, passing accuracy under pressure, appropriate spacing, and positive teamwork
Intervention Points
Step in if defending becomes too physical, if students are struggling with concepts, or if safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate techniques clearly with exaggerated movements for visibility, use students as models when appropriate, repeat demonstrations as needed
Verbal Cues
- •'Ready position - on your toes!'
- •'Eyes one way, pass another!'
- •'Stay close but no contact!'
- •'Quick pass, find space!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m clear space, suitable for multiple small group activities
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from obstacles, suitable for running and quick direction changes
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check netballs are correctly inflated and undamaged
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify spot markers are flat and won't cause trips
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during dynamic activities
- •Ball strikes to face or body during passing practice
- •Slips and falls during quick direction changes
- •Overexertion during continuous game play
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established between group activities
- •Adequate spacing maintained between students and groups
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic
- •Regular breaks and rotation of roles
- •Emphasis on controlled passing rather than power
- •No physical contact rule reinforced in defending
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups simultaneously
- •Monitor high-activity game areas more closely
- •Watch for appropriate defensive distance - no contact
- •Ensure equal participation and prevent overexertion
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid support, inform school procedures