🏀

Lesson 2 - Retreat Dribble and Agility

Tactical Mastery & Techniques

•

Year 6

•

Basketball

•

Big Question

How can we use agility and the retreat dribble to maintain possession under pressure?

Learning Objectives

Apply agility to maintain possession during the retreat dribble
Demonstrate the retreat dribble technique under pressure from a defender
Use the retreat dribble effectively in game situations to maintain ball control

Key Outcomes

Students will be able to execute the retreat dribble with correct body positioning
Students will demonstrate improved agility through cone control activities
Students will apply retreat dribble skills in competitive game situations

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball

1 per student (30)

Distributed around court perimeter before lesson

Alternative: Size 5 footballs if basketballs unavailable

Cones

20-25 mixed sizes

Spread randomly around playing area for cone control activity

Alternative: Markers, spots, or small obstacles

Stopwatch

3 (1 per group)

One for each Illinois test station

Alternative: Phone timers or single teacher stopwatch

Score Sheets

3 clipboards with paper

Prepared with student names for agility test scores

Alternative: Digital recording on tablets

Basketball Hoops

2-4 depending on court

Standard height or adjustable for Year 6 students

Alternative: Target areas marked on wall

Key Vocabulary

Retreat Dribble

A defensive dribbling technique where the player moves backwards while dribbling to maintain possession under pressure

Agility

The ability to move quickly and change direction with control while maintaining ball possession

Defensive Stance

Body position that protects the ball from the defender using body as a shield

Ball Protection

Using body positioning and dribble height to keep the ball away from defensive players

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic dribbling with dominant hand
Understanding of offensive and defensive positions
Basic ball handling skills from Unit 1

Current Skills

Retreat dribble technique and body positioning
Agility with ball control
Decision-making under defensive pressure

Next Steps

Advanced dribbling moves and combinations
Team offensive strategies
Full court game applications

Milestone Indicators

Maintains ball control while retreating from defender

Demonstrates correct shoulder positioning during retreat

Shows improved agility scores in Illinois test

Key Teaching Points

Body positioning is key - non-ball shoulder creates shield between defender and ball
Retreat dribble requires small, controlled backward steps while maintaining low ball bounce
Eyes must stay up to see court and defender, not down watching the ball
Ball should stay low and behind the back foot for maximum protection from defender
Agility training improves overall basketball performance and helps with quick direction changes
Decision-making is crucial - knowing when to retreat vs. when to attack or pass
Both hands must be developed for effective retreat dribbling in any direction

Common Misconceptions

Students think retreat dribble means turning their back completely to defender - correct by emphasising shoulder positioning
Belief that dribbling higher is faster - teach that low dribbles provide better control and protection
Assumption that retreat dribble is defensive only - explain it's an attacking skill to maintain possession
Thinking only dominant hand needed - emphasise importance of both-handed development
Misconception that bigger steps are faster - teach controlled small steps maintain balance and control

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter activity intervals, clear boundaries marked, regular movement breaks and refocus opportunities

dyspraxia

Larger basketballs, slower progression through skills, extra practice time for coordination development

autism spectrum

Clear visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, predictable routine structure

visual impairment

Use bright orange basketballs, provide verbal descriptions of cone positions, buddy system for spatial awareness

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations, hand signals for start/stop, written instruction cards available

physical disability

Seated dribbling variations, modified court size, partner assistance for movement activities

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Developing basketball vocabulary, communicating tactics and feedback, listening skills during instruction

Maths

Recording and comparing Illinois test times, calculating improvement percentages, measuring cone distances and court dimensions

Science

Understanding forces and motion in agility movement, analysing balance and centre of gravity, exploring reaction times

Geography

Spatial awareness and direction changes, mapping efficient routes between cones, understanding court positioning

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation, dealing with pressure and challenges, showing resilience when skills are difficult

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central court position for demonstrations, move to edges for activity supervision to maintain view of all students

Observation Focus

Watch for correct retreat technique, ball control under pressure, and appropriate defensive play

Intervention Points

Step in when safety concerns arise, technique breakdown occurs, or students become frustrated

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for key teaching points, show common mistakes to avoid, demonstrate with both dominant and non-dominant sides

Verbal Cues

•'Body as a shield!'
•'Low dribble, eyes up!'
•'Small steps back!'
•'Non-ball shoulder to defender!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Half court minimum per group of 15, full court preferred for multiple activities

Surface Check

Clean, dry court surface free from water or debris that could cause slipping

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Basketballs properly inflated and in good condition
•Cones have no sharp edges or damage
•Hoops securely mounted and appropriate height

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during agility activities
•Slips during direction changes
•Contact during defensive pressure
•Fatigue leading to poor decision-making

Risk Mitigation

•Clear spacing between students during activities
•Controlled defensive pressure only
•Progressive skill building from basic to applied
•Regular hydration breaks

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for clear view of all activities
•Monitor fatigue levels throughout lesson
•Watch for inappropriate contact during games

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact school medical support if needed