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Big Question

How can we use forward passes to wings to create scoring opportunities as a team?

Learning Objectives

  • Build offensive attacks as a coordinated team unit
  • Execute forward passes to wings to create space and opportunities
  • Make tactical decisions about when to shoot versus when to pass

Key Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate teamwork in building offensive plays
  • Students will successfully execute forward passes to wing positions
  • Students will show decision-making skills in game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball
1 per 3 students (10 balls for class of 30)

Pre-positioned around court perimeter for easy access

Alternative: Size 5 footballs, netballs for younger students

Cones
16 cones

Used to mark wing positions, court boundaries, and drill stations

Alternative: Bean bags, marker discs

Balls
12 bean bags

Placed in end zones for collection game activities

Alternative: Small cones, tennis balls

Bibs
4 sets of different colours (8 bibs per set)

Distributed before lesson for team identification

Alternative: Coloured bands, team markers

Key Vocabulary

Forward Pass

A pass made ahead of the receiver's current position to create space and attacking opportunities

Wing Position

The wide areas of the court near the sidelines where players can receive passes and create attacks

Ball Handler

The player currently in possession of the basketball who controls the team's offensive play

Drive to Circle

An aggressive move towards the basket area to create a shooting opportunity

Tactical Decision

A strategic choice made during play based on the game situation and positioning

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

  • Basic ball handling and passing skills
  • Understanding of basketball court positions
  • Experience with 3v2 and 4v4 game situations

Current Skills

  • Forward passing technique to wing positions
  • Team coordination in offensive plays
  • Decision-making in attack situations

Next Steps

  • Advanced offensive patterns and plays
  • Defensive strategies against wing attacks
  • Fast break and transition play

Milestone Indicators

1
Consistent forward pass technique under pressure
2
Clear communication during team attacks
3
Quick decision-making between shooting and passing options

Key Teaching Points

  • Forward passes must be made to space, not to where the player currently stands
  • Head up technique essential for court vision and tactical awareness
  • Communication between teammates creates better passing opportunities
  • Decision-making between shooting and passing requires reading the defence
  • Wing positioning creates width and stretches defensive coverage
  • Movement after passing is crucial for continued offensive flow
  • Team coordination requires understanding individual roles within the system

Common Misconceptions

  • Students thinking they must always pass to the closest teammate rather than the best-positioned one - emphasise tactical passing decisions
  • Believing that faster always means better in basketball - teach controlled speed and timing
  • Assuming individual skills are more important than team coordination - reinforce collective success
  • Thinking forward passes are just about speed rather than accuracy and timing - demonstrate precision requirements
  • Misunderstanding that wing positions are fixed rather than dynamic support roles - show movement patterns

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear and immediate feedback, use high-energy activities to maintain engagement, offer leadership opportunities
dyspraxia
  • Allow extra practice time for skill development, use larger targets and equipment, provide step-by-step demonstrations, offer additional support for complex movements
autism spectrum
  • Provide clear structure and routine, use visual schedules for lesson sequence, offer quiet zones for breaks, maintain consistent rules and expectations
visual impairment
  • Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, use sound cues for timing, establish buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
  • Use clear visual signals and demonstrations, provide written instruction cards, use hand signals for common instructions, ensure students can see teacher's face when speaking
physical disability
  • Modify passing distances and heights, provide seated options where appropriate, use larger or softer balls, adapt court sizes for wheelchair users

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Developing specialist vocabulary, following complex instructions, verbal communication during team discussions

Maths

Calculating shooting percentages, measuring court distances, understanding angles of passes, timing activities with stopwatch skills

Science

Understanding forces in ball flight, momentum and energy transfer, effects of exercise on heart rate and breathing

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning, understanding court layout and directional movement, mapping player positions and movements

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, leadership development, managing emotions during competition, building confidence through skill mastery

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move constantly around the court to observe all groups, position at angles to see multiple activities simultaneously

Observation Focus

Watch for correct passing technique, safe physical play, and tactical understanding development

Intervention Points

Step in when safety is compromised, when skill technique needs immediate correction, or when game flow breaks down

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for technique demonstration, involve students in showing good examples, repeat key demos if understanding unclear

Verbal Cues
  • 'Head up, eyes on target!'
  • 'Quick pass, then move!'
  • 'Choose your best option!'
  • 'Support your teammate!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full basketball court or equivalent space minimum 25m x 15m, with clear boundaries and overhead clearance of 4m

Surface Check

Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from water, debris, or obstacles that could cause slips or falls

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Basketballs properly inflated and checked for damage
  • Cones with weighted bases to prevent sliding during activities
  • Bibs checked for tears or loose straps that could cause entanglement

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Player collisions during fast-paced game activities
  • Ball strikes from passes or rebounds
  • Slips and falls during direction changes and jumping
  • Overexertion during high-intensity game phases
Risk Mitigation
  • Clear court boundaries established with adequate buffer zones
  • Progressive skill building from static to dynamic activities
  • Controlled physical contact rules in conditioned games
  • Regular hydration breaks and monitoring of fatigue levels

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position for maximum visibility of all activity areas during games
  • Monitor high-activity zones around baskets during rebounding
  • Watch for signs of fatigue affecting safe movement and decision-making
Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal established, first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation routes identified, incident reporting procedures reviewed