Lesson 1 - Possession & Shooting Skills
Tactics to Competition
•Year 6
•Basketball
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How can we use passing, dribbling and movement to maintain possession and create the perfect shooting opportunity?
Learning Objectives
- Consolidate passing, dribbling and moving skills to maintain possession
- Apply tactical understanding to create shooting opportunities
- Demonstrate effective decision-making in basketball game situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will maintain possession for sustained periods using refined passing and dribbling
- Students will create and execute successful attacks leading to scoring opportunities
- Students will demonstrate improved tactical awareness and decision-making in game situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Place around court perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Size 5 footballs or netballs if basketballs unavailable
Mark out endzones and court boundaries
Alternative: Bean bags or markers
Separate teams clearly for officiating
Alternative: Team bands or coloured t-shirts
One whistle per court for student referees
Alternative: Hand signals if whistles unavailable
Key Vocabulary
Maintaining control of the ball within your team
The scoring area where teammates can receive the ball to score points
Illegal move where a player dribbles, stops, then dribbles again
Moving more than two steps while holding the ball without dribbling
Understanding when, where and why to make specific decisions during play
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic passing and catching from Year 5
- Simple dribbling techniques
- Understanding of attack vs defence principles
- Basic basketball rules knowledge
Current Skills
- Refined passing under pressure
- Strategic dribbling for possession
- Creating and using space effectively
- Tactical decision-making in game situations
Next Steps
- Advanced offensive strategies
- Complex defensive formations
- Shooting accuracy development
- Game management and leadership
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Keep head up when dribbling to see teammates and space
- Pass when teammate is in better position than you
- Move immediately after passing to create new options
- Time your runs into the endzone for best scoring chances
- Use whole court space to spread defenders
- Apply rules consistently and fairly as referee
- Communicate with teammates throughout possession
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking dribbling is always better than passing - correct by showing when passing creates better opportunities
- Believing you must stay in endzone to score - explain movement in and out creates better chances
- Assuming faster play is always better - demonstrate how patience in possession leads to better opportunities
- Thinking only skilled players can be good referees - show how rule knowledge is more important than playing ability
- Believing possession means holding the ball as long as possible - teach that quick, accurate passing maintains possession better
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with regular breaks, clear visual boundaries, immediate positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Larger, softer balls initially, simplified court layouts, extra practice time for skill development
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of activities, quiet zones available, consistent routines and signals
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and cones, verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for start/stop, written rule cards, clear visual demonstrations
physical disability
- Wheelchair accessible court setup, modified rules for seated play, adapted equipment if needed
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting consecutive passes, measuring court dimensions, calculating game scores and time
Science
Understanding forces in ball movement, friction with different surfaces, body systems during exercise
Geography
Spatial awareness and court positioning, directions and movement patterns
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, dealing with competition pressure, leadership and communication skills
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position between courts to observe all games, move between groups during skill development
Observation Focus
Watch for tactical decision-making, skill application under pressure, and positive team interactions
Intervention Points
Step in for safety concerns, rule clarification, or when competitive intensity becomes inappropriate
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements for skill demonstrations, involve students in showing good examples
Verbal Cues
- •'Head up when dribbling!'
- •'Look for the pass!'
- •'Move after you pass!'
- •'Create space in the endzone!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Indoor sports hall minimum 20m x 15m, or outdoor court with similar dimensions
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from obstacles, adequate ceiling height for ball movement
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check basketballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify whistle cords are safe length to prevent entanglement
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during games
- •Tripping over court boundaries or equipment
- •Ball strikes to face or body
- •Overexertion during competitive activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear court boundaries and adequate spacing between courts
- •Emphasise controlled movement and awareness of others
- •Progressive skill building before competitive games
- •Regular water breaks and monitoring of exertion levels
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor competitive intensity and intervene if necessary
- •Check referee safety and proper rule application
- •Immediate response protocol for any injuries
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately on whistle signal, assess any injuries with first aid training, clear evacuation routes maintained