Lesson 4 - Moving Into Space
Skill Mastery & Tactics
•Year 6
•Basketball
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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
Pre-inflated and ready at court side
Alternative: Footballs or playground balls
Various colours for different activities
Alternative: Marker spots or chalk marks
Two different colours for team identification
Alternative: Coloured t-shirts or pinnies
For timing activities and rest periods
Alternative: Phone timer or classroom clock
Key Vocabulary
An empty area on the court where there are no defenders
Speeding up or slowing down your movement to confuse defenders
Quickly moving in a different direction to lose your marker
Moving to help a teammate who has the ball
The defender who is trying to stay close to you
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
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