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Big Question

How can intelligent movement create opportunities for your team to succeed?

Learning Objectives

  • To be able to move into a space to support a teammate
  • To understand how creating space helps team success
  • To develop tactical awareness in basketball situations

Key Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate effective use of space to support teammates
  • Students will show understanding of when and where to move
  • Students will apply space creation skills in game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball
7

One ball per group of 4-6 students, extras for demonstrations

Alternative: Footballs, netballs for similar handling practice

Cones
30

Various colours preferred for different activities and boundaries

Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or chalk circles

Team bibs
30

Two contrasting colours for team identification in games

Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts or bands

Key Vocabulary

Space creation

Moving to areas where there are fewer opponents to make it easier to receive or pass the ball

Support

Positioning yourself to help a teammate by giving them a passing option

Change of pace

Varying your speed of movement to confuse defenders

Change of direction

Altering your path of movement to lose a defender

Getting free

Moving away from a defender to create space to receive a pass

Consecutive passes

Passing the ball successfully multiple times in a row without losing possession

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

  • Basic basketball handling skills
  • Understanding of passing and catching
  • Awareness of personal space
  • Basic defensive positioning

Current Skills

  • Creating space through movement
  • Supporting teammates effectively
  • Using change of pace and direction
  • Reading game situations

Next Steps

  • Advanced tactical movement patterns
  • Creating space for specific plays
  • Team attacking strategies
  • Complex game situations

Milestone Indicators

1
Consistently moves to receive passes
2
Uses body to shield ball effectively
3
Creates space at appropriate moments
4
Helps team maintain possession

Key Teaching Points

  • Change of pace is essential - slow movement followed by explosive speed change
  • Change of direction confuses defenders and creates space opportunities
  • Move into spaces where there are no defenders between you and the ball
  • Communication with teammates is crucial for successful team play
  • Support teammates by creating passing options at different angles
  • Apply individual skills consistently in team game situations
  • Work as a team - basketball is not an individual sport

Common Misconceptions

  • Students think they need to run fast all the time - teach the importance of change of pace
  • Moving anywhere is good - emphasise moving to effective spaces only
  • Only the person with the ball matters - teach how off-ball movement helps everyone
  • Defending means staying very close - teach appropriate safe distance
  • Individual skill is most important - reinforce team cooperation throughout

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback, immediate task variety
dyspraxia
  • Slower skill progression, larger equipment options, extra practice time, simplified movement patterns
autism spectrum
  • Clear routine structure, visual schedule of lesson activities, quiet area available if needed
visual impairment
  • Use brightly coloured equipment, clear verbal descriptions of space and movement, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
  • Visual demonstrations of all skills, hand signals for game instructions, written key points on display
physical disability
  • Adapted movement patterns, seated versions where appropriate, modified equipment sizing

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting consecutive passes, measuring distances for setup, understanding of angles in movement

Science

Forces in movement, reaction time, body systems during exercise, physics of ball movement

Geography

Spatial awareness, directions and positioning, mapping movement patterns around playing areas

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, leadership skills, resilience when facing challenges, celebrating others' success

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between groups during activities, central position for demonstrations and instructions

Observation Focus

Space creation technique, team cooperation, application of skills in games

Intervention Points

Step in when safety concerns arise, when students struggle with concepts, or when technique needs correction

Demonstration Notes

Use clear, exaggerated movements for space creation, involve students in demonstrations, repeat key concepts visually

Verbal Cues
  • 'Change pace - slow, slow, FAST!'
  • 'Find the space with no defenders!'
  • 'Work as a team - call for the ball!'
  • 'Great space creation [student name]!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m clear area, multiple 7m x 7m squares for group work

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from obstacles, appropriate for basketball movement

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Check basketballs are properly inflated and in good condition
  • Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
  • Team bibs clean and in good repair

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Collisions between students during dynamic movement
  • Slips and falls during change of direction
  • Ball strikes to face or body
  • Overexertion during competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
  • Clear boundaries established for all activities
  • Adequate spacing between groups during parallel activities
  • Emphasis on no contact defending throughout
  • Progressive skill building from individual to team context
  • Regular hydration breaks if needed

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position for maximum visibility of all groups
  • Monitor high-activity areas during games
  • Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
  • Ensure fair play and good sportsmanship
Emergency Procedures

Stop signal established, immediate assessment of any incidents, appropriate first aid response available