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Lesson 5 - Defending Tactics in Basketball

Tactics to Competition

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Year 6

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Basketball

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Big Question

How can effective defending tactics transform a basketball team's performance?

Learning Objectives

To create, understand and apply defending tactics in competitive basketball situations
To demonstrate effective man-to-man marking and team defending strategies
To evaluate and improve defending tactics based on game performance

Key Outcomes

Students will execute coordinated defending tactics in 5v5 basketball games
Students will demonstrate understanding of when and where to apply different defensive strategies
Students will effectively mark opponents and reduce attacking opportunities

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball

1 per 2 students (15 total)

Stored in equipment basket at court edge for easy access

Alternative: Size 5 footballs or netballs if basketballs unavailable

Basketball Hoops

4 hoops (2 courts)

Standard height or adjustable to 2.5m for Year 6

Alternative: Football goals, netball posts, or marked wall targets

Markers Cones

12 cones

Mark court boundaries and centre lines clearly

Alternative: Chalk lines, masking tape, or existing court markings

Bibs

15 (3 different colours)

Ensure clear team identification for 3 teams per court

Alternative: Coloured bands, different coloured tops

Stopwatch

For timing game periods and rotation schedules

Alternative: Mobile phone timer, wall clock with second hand

Whistles

For students acting as referees and coaches

Alternative: Hand claps, voice commands

Key Vocabulary

Man-to-man marking

A defensive strategy where each defender is responsible for marking one specific opponent

Defensive pressure

Applying close marking and reducing space to make it difficult for attackers to play

Defensive transition

Quickly switching from attacking to defending when possession is lost

Court coverage

Positioning defenders to cover all areas of the court effectively

Interception

Legally gaining possession of the ball from the opposing team

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic basketball skills: dribbling, passing, shooting
Understanding of court positions and boundaries
Individual defending skills like marking and intercepting
Experience of small-sided basketball games

Current Skills

Coordinated team defending tactics
Man-to-man marking systems
Defensive positioning and communication
Switching between attack and defence

Next Steps

Advanced defensive strategies like zone defence
Combining attacking and defending tactics
Tournament play and competitive basketball
Officiating and coaching roles

Milestone Indicators

Maintains defensive position for full game duration

Communicates effectively with teammates during defence

Adapts defensive tactics based on game situation

Shows leadership in organising team defence

Key Teaching Points

Man-to-man marking requires each defender to be responsible for one specific attacker throughout the game
Effective defending combines individual skills (positioning, marking) with team tactics (communication, switching)
Different defensive strategies work in different game situations - adapt tactics based on score and time remaining
Communication is the foundation of successful team defending - call switches, mark assignments, and provide support
Quick transition from attack to defence when possession changes is crucial for preventing easy scoring opportunities
Defensive pressure should be applied consistently but within the rules - no contact, focus on positioning and anticipation
Team defending requires sacrifice of individual glory for collective success - everyone must fulfil their defensive role

Common Misconceptions

That defending is less important than attacking - correct by emphasising that games are won through strong defence
That man-to-man marking means following one player everywhere - correct by teaching situational switching and help defence
That good defending means getting the ball every time - correct by celebrating prevented shots and reduced space
That defending tactics can't be creative - correct by encouraging innovative positioning and strategic approaches
That only tall or fast students can defend effectively - correct by showing how positioning and anticipation matter more than physical attributes

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Frequent tactical reminders, shorter game periods with regular breaks, clear specific defending roles to focus attention

dyspraxia

Simplified tactical instructions, extra practice time for positioning, larger spaces for defending practice

autism spectrum

Clear routine for rotations, visual schedule showing lesson structure, quiet observation role available if needed

visual impairment

Use bright coloured bibs for team identification, clear verbal descriptions of tactics, buddy system for positioning guidance

hearing impairment

Visual hand signals for tactical instructions, written tactical plans available, ensure face-to-face communication

physical disability

Modified defending positions, seated defending roles where appropriate, adapted marking distances

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Calculating game scores including bonus points for defending, measuring court dimensions and player spacing, analysing statistics from game performance

Science

Understanding forces and momentum in defending movements, reaction time and decision-making under pressure, teamwork and coordination principles

Geography

Spatial awareness and positioning on court, understanding of territory and defensive zones, mapping movement patterns and tactics

PSHE

Leadership skills in tactical planning, resilience when defending under pressure, teamwork and communication in challenging situations

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between courts during games to monitor both tactical execution and safety, position at corner for maximum visibility during demonstrations

Observation Focus

Watch for effective man-to-man marking, quality of team communication, tactical consistency under pressure, appropriate competitive intensity

Intervention Points

Step in if defending becomes too physical, provide tactical support if teams struggling significantly, ensure all students engaged in roles

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements for tactical demonstrations, involve confident students to model skills, emphasise key defending principles throughout lesson

Verbal Cues

•'Stay with your player!'
•'Talk to your teammates!'
•'Good defensive pressure!'
•'Switch - call it clearly!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Two basketball courts minimum 20m x 15m each, with 2m clear space around boundaries

Surface Check

Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from loose objects or water patches

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check basketballs are properly inflated and not damaged
•Ensure hoops are securely attached and at appropriate height
•Verify cones and markers have no sharp edges or cracks

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during intense defending
•Slips and falls on court surface
•Overexertion during competitive games
•Contact injuries from overzealous defending

Risk Mitigation

•Establish clear non-contact rules for basketball defending
•Ensure adequate spacing between multiple games/activities
•Regular hydration breaks during intense game periods
•Gradual build-up of intensity throughout lesson

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for clear view of both courts during games
•Monitor contact levels and intervene if defending becomes too physical
•Watch for signs of fatigue affecting decision-making

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess injury severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required