Lesson 3 - Creating and Using Space in Attack
Skills To Strategy
•Year 6
•Netball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we create and use space to become more effective attackers in netball?
Learning Objectives
- To use movement skills to lose a defender and create attacking opportunities
- To pass and receive the ball with increasing control under pressure
- To create and use a variety of tactics to help the team maintain possession
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate tactical awareness by creating space for themselves and teammates
- Students will show improved ball handling skills under defensive pressure
- Students will apply attacking principles in game situations with growing confidence
Equipment & Resources Required
Check balls are properly inflated, distribute around court perimeter
Alternative: Size 4 balls for students with smaller hands, foam balls for indoor use
Use bright colours for visibility, ensure stable placement on court surface
Alternative: Markers, spots, or chalk lines
Place securely in corners, check for safety and stability
Alternative: Buckets, targets, or marked areas
Ensure contrast between teams, check for damage or loose straps
Alternative: Coloured bibs, different coloured equipment
Key Vocabulary
A movement pattern where a player sprints at an angle towards the ball carrier to receive a pass
A direct forward movement towards the ball carrier followed by a clear movement away
Moving deliberately to open up areas of the court for yourself or teammates
Moving away from the receiving area after passing to create space for the next play
The area of the netball court closest to the goal where attacking plays are developed
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic netball passing techniques (chest pass, bounce pass)
- Understanding of netball court layout and basic rules
- Basic movement patterns (running, jumping, sidestepping)
Current Skills
- Creating space through purposeful movement
- Diagonal and straight drives to receive passes
- Passing under defensive pressure
- Tactical awareness in small-sided games
Next Steps
- Advanced attacking patterns and set plays
- Switching between attack and defence seamlessly
- Leadership roles in team tactics
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Space creation is about movement with purpose, not random running
- Communication (calling names) is essential for successful drives and passes
- Movement after passing is just as important as the pass itself
- Defensive pressure should challenge without making contact
- Fair play and sportsmanship are equally important as technical skills
- Off-ball movement helps the team even when you don't receive the pass
- Quality of movement is more important than speed
Common Misconceptions
- Students think they must receive the ball every time they move - emphasise movement helps team regardless
- Belief that faster is always better - stress controlled, purposeful movement over maximum speed
- Thinking space creation is only about making space for yourself - highlight creating space for teammates
- Assumption that touching the nearest line fulfills the rule - explain strategic line selection
- Misconception that defensive pressure means physical contact - emphasise positioning and interception without touching
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Keep activities short and varied, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer leadership roles for engagement
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment for easier handling, provide additional practice time, break down skills into smaller steps
autism spectrum
- Provide clear activity structure with visual schedules, create quiet zones for breaks, maintain consistent routines
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and equipment, provide clear verbal descriptions of activities, pair with sighted buddy for support
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations extensively, employ hand signals for communication, provide written instruction cards
physical disability
- Adapt drives to wheelchair movements, use larger lighter balls, modify distances and rules as appropriate
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Calculating angles for diagonal drives, measuring distances, counting passes and scores, understanding geometric concepts of space
Science
Forces and motion in ball passing, acceleration and deceleration during drives, reaction times in defensive play
Geography
Spatial awareness, direction and orientation, mapping movement patterns around court
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, fair play and respect, leadership skills, resilience when facing challenges
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move constantly between groups to provide feedback and ensure safety, position at court edge during games for maximum visibility
Observation Focus
Watch for quality of space creation movements, communication between students, appropriate defensive pressure levels
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with drive technique, if defensive pressure becomes inappropriate, or if sportsmanship standards drop
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements to show space creation principles, demonstrate both correct and incorrect techniques for comparison, involve students in demonstrations when appropriate
Verbal Cues
- •'Find the gaps, not the crowds!'
- •'Sprint to space, not to players!'
- •'Call loudly and move with purpose!'
- •'Create space for others by moving away!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum one full netball court third (15m x 10m) per 10-12 students
Surface Check
Dry, even court surface free from water, debris, or damaged areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check netballs are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Ensure hoops are stable and securely positioned
- •Confirm cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify team bands are not torn or have loose straps
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during diagonal drives
- •Slips during quick direction changes
- •Ball strikes to face during passes
- •Fatigue from repeated high-intensity activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established with adequate space between groups
- •Progressive skill building from individual to competitive activities
- •Emphasis on controlled movements rather than maximum speed
- •Regular checks for student fatigue and hydration needs
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups during activities
- •Monitor high-activity areas during 3v2 and corner ball games
- •Watch for appropriate pressure levels in defensive activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required