Lesson 4 - Passing, Dribbling & Shooting
Strategic Play & Team Dynamics
•Year 4
•Basketball
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How can we combine our basketball skills to create the perfect scoring opportunity?
Learning Objectives
- To apply prior learning of passing and dribbling skills in attack situations
- To understand when and where to shoot effectively in basketball
- To create shooting opportunities through tactical awareness and teamwork
Key Outcomes
- Students will combine passing and dribbling skills to maintain possession under pressure
- Students will demonstrate understanding of appropriate shooting positions and timing
- Students will work collaboratively to create and execute attacking plays
Equipment & Resources Required
Check inflation levels before lesson begins
Alternative: Size 5 footballs or playground balls if basketballs unavailable
Place at varying distances and angles from basketball hoops
Alternative: Hoops, bean bags, or chalk marks on court
Ensure hoops are secure and at appropriate height
Alternative: Netball posts, football goals, or target areas on walls
Different colour for each defending team
Alternative: Different coloured clothing or arm bands
Key Vocabulary
A moment when a player is in a good position to attempt a shot at the basket
Gaining possession of the ball after a missed shot
Having control of the ball as a team
When a team has possession and moves toward scoring
When the opposing team tries to regain possession
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic passing technique with chest pass and bounce pass
- Fundamental dribbling with control and change of direction
- Understanding of basic basketball rules and court awareness
Current Skills
- Combining passing and dribbling in game situations
- Creating shooting opportunities through tactical play
- Understanding positioning for shooting and rebounding
Next Steps
- Advanced shooting techniques from various positions
- Complex team attacking strategies with multiple options
- Defensive positioning and intercepting skills
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Shooting opportunities are created through effective teamwork and skill combination
- Passing and dribbling must be used together, not as separate skills
- Positioning is crucial for both shooting accuracy and team success
- Rebounds provide second chances and maintaining possession is vital
- Fair play and communication are essential for effective team basketball
- Practice and persistence lead to improvement in all basketball skills
- Different shooting positions require different techniques and offer varying levels of difficulty
Common Misconceptions
- All shooting positions are equally easy - explain how distance and angle affect difficulty
- Only the player with the ball is important - emphasise how teammates create space and opportunities
- Dribbling OR passing is sufficient - stress the importance of combining both skills
- Shooting technique doesn't matter if you're strong enough - demonstrate how proper technique improves accuracy
- Defence is just about getting the ball - explain how good defence prevents shooting opportunities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear physical boundaries, regular praise and positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Use larger balls for easier handling, reduce complexity of movement patterns, extra practice time for skill development
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, visual schedule of lesson activities, quiet zones available if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and markers, provide clear verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations and hand signals, written instruction cards, ensure student can see teacher clearly
physical disability
- Adapt shooting positions to wheelchair height, modify court size, allow stationary passing and shooting
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting successful passes and shots, calculating team scores, measuring distances between shooting positions
Science
Understanding forces in ball flight, trajectory and angles for shooting, energy transfer in passing and dribbling
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation under pressure, resilience when facing challenges, supporting and encouraging others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move constantly between groups to observe and support all students, position at corners for maximum court visibility
Observation Focus
Watch for skill combination, teamwork development, fair play, and safety throughout lesson
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggle with skill combination, need tactical guidance, or require safety reminders
Demonstration Notes
Use live examples from student play whenever possible, demonstrate key points clearly with exaggerated movements for visibility
Verbal Cues
- •'Pass AND dribble to beat the defender!'
- •'Look for your shooting marker!'
- •'Work together as a team!'
- •'Follow your shot for the rebound!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Basketball court or playground area minimum 20m x 15m with clear boundaries
Surface Check
Ensure court surface is dry, even, and free from hazards or obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check basketballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure basketball hoops are secure and at safe heights
- •Verify markers/cones have no sharp edges and are clearly visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during fast-paced gameplay
- •Falls from quick changes of direction or defensive pressure
- •Ball strikes from passes or rebounds at close range
- •Overexertion from sustained high-intensity activity
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear boundaries and adequate spacing between groups
- •Emphasise fair play and controlled contact throughout
- •Progressive skill building from stationary to dynamic activities
- •Regular breaks and rotation to prevent fatigue
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups during activities
- •Monitor high-activity areas around basketball hoops carefully
- •Watch for signs of overcompetition or physical aggression
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, seek additional support if needed