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Big Question

How can we apply our basketball skills in competitive situations whilst demonstrating excellent sportsmanship and teamwork?

Learning Objectives

  • To apply dribbling, passing and shooting skills effectively in competitive basketball games
  • To demonstrate self-motivation, physical confidence and active engagement in competitive situations
  • To communicate effectively with teammates and understand attacking and defending principles

Key Outcomes

  • Students will successfully perform basketball skills in game situations with increasing confidence
  • Students will show positive attitudes towards competition and support teammates effectively
  • Students will demonstrate understanding of tactical principles through their play and reflection

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball
1 per student (30)

Ensure balls are properly inflated and distributed around court perimeter

Alternative: Large playground balls if basketballs unavailable

Basketball Courts
2 courts with hoops

Mark court boundaries clearly with cones if lines not visible

Alternative: Netball posts or targets on walls if no basketball hoops available

Coloured Cones
4 different colours (minimum 2 per colour)

Place cones in corners of area for assessment activity

Alternative: Different coloured bibs or markers

Team bibs
4 different colours (8 bibs per colour)

Organise bibs by colour for quick team identification

Alternative: Coloured bands or identifying markers

Whistles
1-2 whistles

Ensure clear signals are established for game control

Alternative: Voice commands if whistles unavailable

Digital Cameras
1 (optional)

Position for good view of gameplay whilst maintaining safety

Alternative: Written observations if recording not possible

Key Vocabulary

Self-motivated

Having the drive and determination to perform well without external encouragement

Physically confident

Feeling secure and assured in one's physical abilities during activity

Attacking principles

Strategies used when your team has possession to score points

Defending principles

Strategies used to prevent the opposing team from scoring

Tournament

A competitive format where multiple teams play against each other

Tactical awareness

Understanding when and how to use different strategies during gameplay

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

  • Students can perform basic dribbling with control
  • Students understand chest pass and shooting technique
  • Students know basic basketball rules and court positions

Current Skills

  • Applying skills under competitive pressure
  • Tactical awareness in game situations
  • Team communication and leadership

Next Steps

  • Advanced tactical understanding
  • Officiating and coaching others
  • Competitive tournament participation

Milestone Indicators

1
Maintains skill quality under pressure
2
Demonstrates tactical awareness
3
Shows leadership and communication

Key Teaching Points

  • Emphasise that competitive situations are opportunities to show character as well as skill
  • Encourage students to maintain technique quality even under the pressure of competition
  • Focus on team communication as essential for tactical success in basketball
  • Highlight examples of excellent sportsmanship and school games values throughout the tournament
  • Use team reflection periods to develop tactical understanding and problem-solving skills
  • Connect basketball skills to lifelong participation opportunities in the community
  • Celebrate effort, improvement and positive attitudes alongside competitive success

Common Misconceptions

  • Students thinking that winning is more important than demonstrating good sportsmanship and values
  • Believing that shouting or getting frustrated will improve team performance in competitive situations
  • Assuming that only the most skilled players can contribute meaningfully to team tactical discussions
  • Thinking that defensive play is less important or exciting than attacking play in basketball
  • Believing that individual skill is more important than teamwork and communication in competitive games
  • Assuming that making mistakes under pressure means they are not improving or succeeding

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter game periods, clear role definitions, regular movement breaks, immediate positive feedback during competition
dyspraxia
  • Larger basketballs for easier handling, simplified tactical concepts, extra practice time, reduced pressure situations
autism spectrum
  • Clear tournament structure explained visually, quiet reflection time available, consistent routines throughout competition
visual impairment
  • Use brightly coloured basketballs, verbal cues for court positioning, buddy system for navigation during games
hearing impairment
  • Clear visual demonstrations of tactics, hand signals for game communication, written tournament fixtures display
physical disability
  • Modified basketball using seated positions, adapted court size, alternative scoring systems and reduced contact rules

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills during team discussions, vocabulary development for basketball terminology and tactics

Maths

Tournament fixtures and results recording, timing games, scoring systems and league table calculations

Science

Understanding forces in ball movement, reaction times during competitive play, heart rate changes during exercise

Geography

Spatial awareness on court, understanding positioning and movement patterns in tactical play

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions in competitive situations, respect and fair play values

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Stand at centre point between two courts for maximum visibility during tournament games

Observation Focus

Watch for skill application under pressure, team communication, sportsmanship and competitive confidence

Intervention Points

Step in if gameplay becomes too physical, if disputes arise, or if students show signs of distress

Demonstration Notes

Use actual game situations to highlight good examples of skill, tactics and values in action

Verbal Cues
  • 'Great teamwork - keep communicating!'
  • 'Remember your shooting technique even under pressure!'
  • 'Excellent sportsmanship - well done!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum two basketball courts or equivalent space (40m x 60m total), clear of obstacles

Surface Check

Dry, even surface suitable for running and quick direction changes, no wet or slippery areas

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Check basketballs are properly inflated and in good condition
  • Ensure basketball hoops are securely fixed and safe height
  • Verify cones have no sharp edges or cracks
  • Check bibs are clean and appropriate sizes

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Collisions during competitive gameplay
  • Falls during quick direction changes
  • Ball strikes from enthusiastic play
  • Overexertion during tournament competition
Risk Mitigation
  • Clear court boundaries established and communicated
  • Adequate spacing between simultaneous games
  • Progressive intensity building throughout lesson
  • Regular hydration breaks during tournament
  • Clear rules about contact and fair play

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position for visibility of both courts during tournament
  • Monitor competitive intensity levels closely
  • Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
  • Ensure referee decisions are fair and safe
Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students are safe and supervised