Lesson 1 - Consolidating Possession in Netball
Tactics & Leadership
•Year 6
•Netball
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we master possession in netball to create winning opportunities?
Learning Objectives
- To consolidate passing and moving skills to maintain possession effectively
- To apply tactical awareness when creating and exploiting space in netball
- To demonstrate consistent accuracy in a variety of netball passes under pressure
Key Outcomes
- Students will execute accurate passes whilst moving at pace to maintain team possession
- Students will demonstrate tactical decision-making to create scoring opportunities
- Students will apply consolidated skills in competitive netball game situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Position at each end of courts, ensure secure and at correct height (2.75m for Year 6)
Alternative: Tall cones with hoops, basketball hoops
Check inflation, have spare balls ready for continuous play
Alternative: Size 4 footballs, rugby balls for passing practice
Ensure clear colour contrast between teams, have extras for officials
Alternative: Coloured bands, team strips
Mark court boundaries, thirds, and endzones clearly
Alternative: Sports markers, chalk lines
For teacher and student officials during games
Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals
For timing game segments and activities
Alternative: Mobile phone timer, gym clock
Key Vocabulary
Having control of the ball as a team, aiming to keep it away from the opposition
A two-handed pass from the chest, ideal for accurate short to medium distance passing
A one-handed pass from shoulder height, useful for longer distances and when under pressure
A pass that bounces once before reaching the receiver, useful for passing around defenders
Moving to areas of the court where you can receive the ball without interference from defenders
A designated scoring area at each end of the court where points are scored
A modified version of netball with 5 players per side and simplified positions
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic netball passing techniques from Year 5
- Understanding of creating space and moving without the ball
- Knowledge of netball court areas and basic rules
Current Skills
- Consolidating possession through varied passing combinations
- Enhanced tactical decision-making under pressure
- Refined shooting technique and rebounding skills
Next Steps
- Advanced tactical play including set plays and formations
- Position-specific skills and responsibilities in 7-a-side netball
- Leadership and coaching skills development
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise quick decision-making in pass selection based on game situations
- Focus on movement after passing to create continuous possession opportunities
- Stress the importance of communication in maintaining team possession
- Highlight how proper technique leads to more successful tactical outcomes
- Connect individual skills to team success and game understanding
- Use positive reinforcement to build confidence in competitive situations
- Demonstrate how possession relates to scoring opportunities and winning games
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking that holding the ball longer creates better opportunities (actually reduces options)
- Believing that harder passes are always better (accuracy and timing are more important)
- Assuming that the same pass type works in all situations (need to read the game)
- Thinking that individual brilliance is more important than team possession
- Believing that possession is only about passing (movement and communication equally important)
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries, use movement breaks, give specific roles and responsibilities
dyspraxia
- Use larger equipment initially, reduce complexity of movements, provide extra practice time, break skills into smaller steps
autism spectrum
- Provide clear routine structures, use visual schedules for lesson sections, offer quiet zones when needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured netballs, provide clear verbal descriptions of court areas, assign sighted partners for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for game starts/stops, demonstrate all instructions clearly, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Modify court sizes, allow seated play variations, use larger/softer balls, adjust shooting heights
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting consecutive passes, measuring distances for pass accuracy, calculating game scores and statistics
Science
Understanding forces in different pass types, trajectory and angle for bounce passes, body systems during exercise
Geography
Court directions and spatial awareness, mapping movement patterns, understanding positional areas
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, managing competitive emotions, leadership and communication skills
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move constantly between playing areas to observe all students, position for maximum court visibility during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for technical accuracy, tactical understanding, teamwork quality, and safety compliance
Intervention Points
Step in when students struggle with technique, safety concerns arise, or competitive play becomes too intense
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements to show technique clearly, involve student demonstrations for peer learning, show common mistakes and corrections
Verbal Cues
- •'Quick release!'
- •'Find space!'
- •'Communicate!'
- •'Which pass would work best here?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Full netball court (30m x 15m) or equivalent hall space with 2m safety boundaries
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from water, debris, or equipment hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Netball posts secured and at correct height (2.75m for Year 6)
- •Netballs properly inflated and in good condition
- •Court markers/cones with rounded edges, positioned safely
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during competitive play
- •Falls during dynamic movement
- •Impact injuries from netballs
- •Overexertion in competitive situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and enforced
- •Appropriate spacing during all activities
- •Progressive skill building before competitive play
- •Regular breaks and hydration reminders
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all playing areas
- •Monitor competitive intensity levels
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
- •Ensure student officials understand safety responsibilities
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately on safety concerns, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or seek additional support as needed