Lesson 3 - Attacking & Dribbling Skills
Individual to Team Strategy
•Year 5
•Basketball
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How can we use different dribbling skills and changes of speed to outwit defenders?
Learning Objectives
- To develop attacking skills using varying speed and direction to beat defenders
- To understand and apply defensive principles against attacking players
- To demonstrate self-motivation and physical confidence in competitive situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will execute dribbling variations to evade defenders
- Students will apply defensive positioning and shadowing techniques
- Students will engage confidently in competitive basketball scenarios
Equipment & Resources Required
Check inflation levels, distribute around court perimeter
Alternative: Tennis balls, playground balls for smaller students
Use to mark narrow channels and game boundaries
Alternative: Spots, markers, or chalk lines
Distinguish teams during game situations
Alternative: Different coloured teams shirts
For assessment recording and feedback purposes
Alternative: Digital camera with video function
Key Vocabulary
Bouncing the ball from one hand to the other to change direction
Quick fake step to deceive the defender before moving in opposite direction
Turning on one foot whilst keeping the other foot planted
Body positioned sideways to defender to protect the ball
Quick, powerful initial movement to beat a defender
Movement pattern creating L-shape to lose defender and receive pass
V-shaped movement to shake off defender before receiving pass
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic basketball dribbling with dominant hand
- Understanding of personal space and court awareness
- Basic passing and catching skills
Current Skills
- Advanced dribbling techniques (crossover, through legs, spin moves)
- Attacking movements using speed and direction changes
- Defensive positioning and shadowing techniques
Next Steps
- Complex attacking combinations in small-sided games
- Advanced defensive strategies including help defence
- Full court basketball game understanding
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Side-on stance protects the ball from defenders
- Explosive first steps are crucial for beating defenders
- Eyes up while dribbling maintains court awareness
- Crossover dribbles must be low and controlled
- Defenders shadow movements without reaching for ball initially
- Jab steps and pivots create space for passing or attacking
- Communication and teamwork are essential in competitive situations
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking faster dribbling is always better - control and timing are more important
- Believing you must steal the ball to be a good defender - positioning is key
- Assuming individual skills are more important than teamwork in games
- Thinking mistakes mean failure - they are opportunities for learning and improvement
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries and rules, regular position changes, immediate positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Larger balls initially, simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, step-by-step skill breakdown
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual activity schedule, quiet zones available, consistent rules and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for positioning, audio cues for direction changes
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for communication, partner support for instruction relay
physical disability
- Seated basketball version, modified equipment sizes, adjusted court dimensions, alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Angles of movement, geometry of cutting patterns, statistics from game outcomes, measuring distances for court setup
Science
Forces in dribbling and passing, physics of ball bounce, biomechanics of movement, energy systems during exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns, directions and orientations on court
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience and perseverance, leadership and communication, managing competitive emotions
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter for visibility of all groups, central position for demonstrations, close proximity for individual coaching
Observation Focus
Look for proper dribbling technique, defensive positioning, competitive engagement levels, and sporting behaviour
Intervention Points
Step in if unsafe play develops, when students show frustration, or when technique corrections are needed
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate skills slowly first, then at game speed, use students as positive examples, show common mistakes vs correct technique
Verbal Cues
- •'Eyes up, ball down!'
- •'Protect the ball!'
- •'Explosive first step!'
- •'Stay low, stay balanced!'
- •'Great effort, keep going!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Half court minimum (15m x 15m), full court preferred for game activities
Surface Check
Indoor court with good grip, outdoor hard court acceptable in dry conditions
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check basketballs are properly inflated
- •Inspect balls for damage or excessive wear
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head or face
- •Slips and falls during direction changes
- •Collisions during competitive games
- •Finger injuries from poor catching technique
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Adequate spacing between practice groups maintained
- •Progressive skill building from stationary to full speed
- •Proper warm-up before explosive movements
- •Controlled competitive intensity with clear rules
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all practice areas
- •Monitor competitive games for appropriate intensity
- •Watch for fatigue affecting technique and safety
- •Be alert during transitions between activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required