Lesson 4 - Attacking Skills & Officiating
Attack & Defence Tactics
•Year 5
•Basketball
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How can we combine refined attacking skills with fair play to create exciting basketball games?
Learning Objectives
- To refine attacking skills of passing, dribbling and shooting in basketball
- To develop understanding of basketball rules and officiating responsibilities
- To create successful shooting opportunities through tactical decision-making
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate refined passing, dribbling and shooting techniques
- Students will apply basketball rules consistently as referees
- Students will create effective attacks leading to scoring opportunities
Equipment & Resources Required
Check correct inflation and distribute around court perimeter
Alternative: Size 3 footballs or rubber playground balls
Position at appropriate height for Year 5 students
Alternative: Large buckets, hula hoops on stands, wall targets
Separate into team sets ready for quick distribution
Alternative: Coloured bands or simple team identifiers
Clean between uses for hygiene
Alternative: Hand signals only if whistles unavailable
Use to mark court boundaries and zones clearly
Alternative: Markers or chalk lines on court
For referees to track scores during games
Alternative: Paper and clipboards
Key Vocabulary
When a player dribbles with two hands simultaneously or stops dribbling then starts again
Moving with the ball without dribbling it
A ready position where the player can pass, shoot, or dribble
Gaining possession of the ball after a missed shot
Acting as a referee to ensure fair play and rule compliance
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic passing and catching skills from previous lessons
- Understanding of dribbling fundamentals
- Experience with 4v4 possession games
Current Skills
- Refined passing techniques including bounce and chest passes
- Advanced dribbling with both hands at speed
- Shooting accuracy from various positions
- Basic officiating and rule application
Next Steps
- Complex tactical play including set plays
- Advanced officiating including calling fouls
- Tournament play with multiple games
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Triple threat position is the foundation of good basketball decision-making
- Officiating develops leadership skills and understanding of fair play
- Refined passing requires accuracy, timing and communication
- Creating space through movement is essential for successful attacks
- Rule understanding enhances both playing and officiating capabilities
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking they can dribble again after stopping (double dribble rule)
- Believing faster dribbling always equals better control
- Assuming officiating is just about calling violations rather than managing games fairly
- Thinking individual skill is more important than team play in creating attacks
- Misunderstanding that travelling occurs any time you move with the ball without dribbling
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer leadership roles to maintain engagement
dyspraxia
- Use larger, lighter balls initially, reduce court size, provide extra practice time for skill development, use wall targets instead of hoops
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure for referee rotations, use visual schedules for lesson sequence, offer quiet observation role if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls with high contrast, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, pair with sighted buddy for officiating
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for referee calls, provide written rule cards, ensure face-to-face communication during instruction
physical disability
- Modify shooting heights, allow wheelchair basketball adaptations, provide alternative roles such as scorekeeper or timekeeper
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills during games, vocabulary development of basketball terms, listening skills during instruction
Maths
Scoring and statistics keeping, angles and trajectories in shooting, timing and measurement during games
Science
Forces in ball movement, friction on court surface, heart rate and exercise, physics of bouncing
PSHE
Leadership through officiating, teamwork and cooperation, managing emotions during competition, respect for authority
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between game areas to observe both playing and officiating, position on court edge for safety
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical play development, officiating confidence, and skill application under pressure
Intervention Points
Step in if refereeing becomes inconsistent, if unsafe play occurs, or if students need tactical guidance
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for rule violations, emphasise positive examples of both play and officiating
Verbal Cues
- •'Triple threat position!'
- •'Head up, see the court!'
- •'Good officiating decision!'
- •'Create space with movement!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Full basketball court or 30m x 20m hard surface area minimum
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from water, debris or obstacles that could cause slips
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check basketballs are correctly inflated and free from damage
- •Ensure hoops/targets are secure and at appropriate height
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges and are visible colours
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during games
- •Ball strikes to head or body
- •Slips and falls on court surface
- •Overexertion during high-intensity games
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear court boundaries established and communicated
- •Adequate spacing between game areas
- •Progressive skill building before competitive play
- •Regular breaks and hydration reminders
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all three game areas
- •Monitor referee-player interactions for conflicts
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion in students
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, apply appropriate first aid or seek additional support as required