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Lesson 4 - Moving Into Space

Skill Mastery & Tactics

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Year 6

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Basketball

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52 min

Big Question

How can intelligent movement without the ball create scoring opportunities for your team?

Learning Objectives

To demonstrate effective movement into space to support teammates
To use changes of pace and direction to lose defenders
To create and use space strategically to help the team maintain possession and score

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully create space through purposeful movement
Students will demonstrate tactical awareness in team games
Students will show improved decision-making when moving without the ball

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball

Pre-inflated and ready at court side

Alternative: Footballs or playground balls

Cones

Various colours for different activities

Alternative: Marker spots or chalk marks

Team bibs

Two different colours for team identification

Alternative: Coloured t-shirts or pinnies

Stopwatch

For timing activities and rest periods

Alternative: Phone timer or classroom clock

Key Vocabulary

Space

An empty area on the court where there are no defenders

Change of pace

Speeding up or slowing down your movement to confuse defenders

Change of direction

Quickly moving in a different direction to lose your marker

Support

Moving to help a teammate who has the ball

Marker

The defender who is trying to stay close to you

Feint

A fake movement to trick the defender

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic ball handling and passing skills
Understanding of personal space and general space
Simple team game rules and cooperation

Current Skills

Moving without the ball to support teammates
Creating space through intelligent movement
Using changes of pace and direction to lose defenders

Next Steps

Complex team strategies and set plays
Advanced offensive and defensive positioning
Game leadership and tactical decision-making

Milestone Indicators

Consistently finds space in small-sided games

Demonstrates clear changes of pace when moving

Communicates effectively with teammates during play

Key Teaching Points

Movement without the ball is as important as movement with the ball
Change of pace and direction are the key techniques for losing defenders
Creating space helps the whole team, not just individual players
Communication with teammates improves team effectiveness
Timing of movement is crucial - watch for the right moment to make your run
Moving away from defenders creates passing lanes for teammates
Practice these skills in every activity to make them automatic

Common Misconceptions

Moving faster is always better - actually, changing pace is more effective
You should always run towards the ball - sometimes moving away creates better opportunities
Only the player with the ball needs to think about tactics - everyone needs to move intelligently
Defending means staying very close to your player - good defenders anticipate movement
You only need to move when your team has the ball - movement is important in all phases of play

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries, regular positive feedback and movement breaks

dyspraxia

Simplify movement patterns initially, provide extra practice time, use larger balls for easier handling

autism spectrum

Provide clear routines and structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet spaces available if overwhelmed

visual impairment

Use bright coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for guidance

hearing impairment

Use visual signals and demonstrations, written instruction cards, ensure face-to-face communication

physical disability

Modify movement requirements, allow seated positions where appropriate, adapted equipment if needed

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Following instructions, giving clear directions to teammates, descriptive language for movement

Maths

Counting consecutive passes, measuring distances for court setup, calculating points scored in games

Science

Understanding forces in movement, friction and grip for direction changes, body systems during exercise

Geography

Spatial awareness, directions and movement patterns, mapping court positions

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, resilience when facing challenges, communication skills

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around the outside of activities to maintain visual contact with all students

Observation Focus

Watch for quality of movement, spatial awareness, team cooperation, and safety

Intervention Points

Step in if activities become too physical, students are struggling with concepts, or safety concerns arise

Demonstration Notes

Use students as positive examples when possible, exaggerate movements for clarity, show common mistakes to avoid

Verbal Cues

•'Change pace - slow then fast!'
•'Find the empty space!'
•'Help your teammate by moving!'
•'Communication - call for the ball!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Minimum 20m x 30m basketball court or equivalent hall space

Surface Check

Dry, non-slip surface free from hazards and obstacles

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check basketballs are properly inflated
•Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
•Verify team bands are not too tight

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Player collisions during fast movement
•Falls when changing direction quickly
•Ball impacts during passing activities
•Overexertion during intense games

Risk Mitigation

•Clear boundaries established for all activities
•Adequate spacing between groups maintained
•Progressive skill building from simple to complex
•Emphasis on controlled movement and fair play
•Regular breaks and hydration reminders

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all groups
•Monitor high-activity areas during games
•Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
•Ensure proper technique to prevent injury

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, contact office if needed