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Lesson 5 - Footwork and Movement

Team Attack & Movement

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Year 4

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Netball

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Big Question

How can effective footwork create fluid attacks that lead to successful shooting opportunities?

Learning Objectives

Develop understanding of the footwork rule and its application in netball
Apply effective footwork to increase speed and fluidity of movements
Combine passing, moving and footwork to create shooting opportunities

Key Outcomes

Students can apply correct footwork techniques when receiving and passing the ball
Students can move fluidly from defence to attack using proper footwork
Students can create and execute successful shooting opportunities in game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Netball

1 per 2 students (15 balls for class of 30)

Balls stored in mesh bag at court edge for easy access

Alternative: Size 4 footballs, playground balls

Posts

4 posts (2 courts)

Posts positioned at opposite ends of each court area

Alternative: Basketball hoops, target zones marked with cones

Bibs

2 sets of different colours (15 each)

One colour per team, distributed before main game

Alternative: Coloured bands, pinnies

Cones

16 cones

Mark court boundaries and river zones

Alternative: Markers, chalk lines

Whistles

1 for teacher

Used for timing stops and signalling rule breaks

Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals

Key Vocabulary

Footwork rule

The rule that states once you receive the ball, you cannot move your landing foot(s) unless you pivot, pass or shoot

Pivot

Rotating around your grounded foot to change direction while maintaining possession

Grounded foot

The foot that must remain in contact with the ground when you have possession

Landing

How your feet make contact with the ground when receiving the ball

Free pass

The penalty awarded to the opposing team when the footwork rule is broken

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 basic netball rules
Experience of passing and moving in invasion games

Current Skills

Application of footwork rule in netball
Effective pivoting and turning with the ball
Combining footwork with passing and moving

Next Steps

Positional play in netball
Advanced attacking strategies
Defending against skilled footwork

Milestone Indicators

Student can demonstrate one-foot and two-foot landings consistently

Student can pivot without breaking the footwork rule

Student can explain why footwork rules exist in netball

Key Teaching Points

Footwork rule applies from the moment you catch the ball
Grounded foot cannot move once established - pivot around it
Quick, accurate passes are better than rushing with poor footwork
Team cooperation creates better shooting opportunities than individual play
Understanding consequences (free pass) helps students remember the rule
Consistent application of rules builds game fluency
Footwork enables both attacking and defensive effectiveness

Common Misconceptions

Students think they can move freely after catching - emphasise immediate stop required
Confusion about which foot becomes grounded - demonstrate landing types clearly
Belief that speed is more important than accuracy - show how good footwork creates faster play
Assumption that footwork only matters for attackers - explain defensive applications
Thinking pivot means jumping or lifting feet - demonstrate rotation around grounded foot

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, regular movement breaks between instruction

dyspraxia

Extra practice time for footwork coordination, simplified rule explanations, peer support

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure, visual rule cards, quiet space available for breaks

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls, verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Visual signals for stopping, clear demonstrations, written rule reminders

physical disability

Modified footwork rules for wheelchair users, adapted equipment heights, alternative roles

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting consecutive passes, measuring court areas, calculating team scores and statistics

Science

Understanding force and motion in stopping movements, balance and centre of gravity in landing

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding of areas and boundaries

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, fair play and rule following, resilience when making mistakes

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between activities to provide feedback, position at court edge during games for clear view

Observation Focus

Watch for consistent footwork application, note students struggling with rule, observe teamwork quality

Intervention Points

Step in when footwork rule consistently broken, support struggling students, manage game flow

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements to show correct technique, demonstrate common errors and corrections clearly

Verbal Cues

•'Plant your feet like a tree!'
•'Stop first, then pivot!'
•'Quick passes, smart footwork!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 30m x 20m, indoor sports hall or outdoor netball court

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from debris, appropriate grip for stopping activities

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Netballs properly inflated to regulation pressure
•Posts stable and correctly positioned
•Cones placed safely away from playing areas when not in use

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during movement activities
•Falls during stopping and landing practice
•Ball strikes during passing activities
•Slips during pivot movements

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established for all activities
•Adequate spacing between students during individual work
•Progressive skill building from walking to game pace
•Emphasis on control over speed in all activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to observe both courts during game play
•Monitor footwork compliance to prevent rule confusion
•Watch for appropriate contact levels during games

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid or seek medical support as required