Lesson 6 - Movement Skills
Foundation Skills
•Year 7
•Basketball
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How can I use movement skills to outsmart my opponent in basketball?
Learning Objectives
- To maintain close defensive positioning when marking an offensive player
- To use changes of direction and speed to evade defenders effectively
- To apply defensive footwork techniques including side shuffle and proper positioning
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate effective defensive positioning and movement
- Students will execute offensive movement patterns to create scoring opportunities
- Students will apply basketball rules correctly in game situations
Equipment & Resources Required
Positioned around gymnasium perimeter for slam dunk practice
Alternative: Large bins, netball posts with lowered rings
Stored in ball trolley, distributed at start of skill sections
Alternative: Size 5 footballs, large playground balls
Used for team identification during games
Alternative: Coloured bands, team jerseys
Mark court boundaries, 3-point lines, and safe zones
Alternative: Dome markers, plastic bottles
Key Vocabulary
To closely follow an opponent's movements while maintaining defensive position
The team or player trying to prevent the opposition from scoring
The team or player trying to score points
A defensive movement technique where feet slide sideways without crossing over
An illegal contact foul where a player runs into a stationary defender
A forceful shot where the ball is thrust downward through the basket
The optimal stance and location to guard an opponent effectively
Varying movement patterns to confuse and beat defenders
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic basketball handling skills from previous lessons
- Understanding of offensive and defensive concepts
- Basic movement patterns and spatial awareness
Current Skills
- Defensive positioning and movement techniques
- Offensive movement patterns to evade defenders
- Application of movement skills in game situations
Next Steps
- Advanced defensive strategies including help defence
- Complex offensive plays and team movements
- Full court basketball with advanced rules
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Defensive stance: low and wide with knees bent, arms extended, weight on balls of feet
- Side shuffle: feet parallel, small quick steps, maintain low stance throughout movement
- Defensive positioning: stay between opponent and basket, react to hips not eyes or ball
- Offensive movement: use change of direction and speed, sell fakes with whole body
- Safety first: controlled contact, respect for opponents, awareness of space and others
- Game application: focus on skill development over winning, encourage teammates consistently
- Fair play: celebrate good defence as much as offence, respect officials and opponents
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Good defence means stealing the ball. Correction: Good defence is about positioning and staying between opponent and basket
- Misconception: Fake movements only involve the ball. Correction: Effective fakes use the whole body including head, shoulders and feet
- Misconception: Faster movement always beats defenders. Correction: Change of pace and direction are more effective than pure speed
- Misconception: Defence is less important than offence. Correction: Strong defence creates offensive opportunities and wins games
- Misconception: Side shuffle is just moving sideways. Correction: Proper side shuffle maintains stance, balance and readiness to react
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries, frequent positive feedback, movement breaks built into activities
dyspraxia
- Larger balls for easier handling, reduced court size, extra practice time, simplified movement patterns initially
autism spectrum
- Clear routines and structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if needed, consistent language and expectations
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for guidance, tactile markers for court boundaries
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for start/stop, written instruction cards, demonstrate all activities clearly, face student when speaking
physical disability
- Seated basketball options, modified court size, adapted equipment like larger balls, peer support for mobility
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Angles of movement and direction changes, counting successful defensive stops, measuring court distances and calculating percentages of successful techniques
Science
Forces and motion in basketball movements, acceleration and deceleration, body systems during exercise, physics of ball movement and bouncing
Geography
Spatial awareness and mapping movement patterns, understanding of direction and orientation, navigation around court spaces
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, dealing with pressure and competition, building resilience after mistakes, showing respect for opponents and officials
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between activity areas to provide maximum oversight, position at corner of courts during games for full view
Observation Focus
Watch for correct defensive stance, quality of offensive movements, appropriate contact levels, and engagement of all students
Intervention Points
Step in immediately for unsafe play, provide technique correction during natural breaks, adjust activity if students struggling
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for clarity, demonstrate at slow speed first then game speed, highlight common mistakes during demonstrations
Verbal Cues
- •'Stay low, stay wide!' for defensive stance
- •'Sell the fake with your whole body!' for offensive moves
- •'Watch the hips, not the eyes!' for defensive reading
- •'Great defence! That's exactly right!' for positive reinforcement
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Full gymnasium or large sports hall minimum 20m x 30m with adequate ceiling height for basketball activities
Surface Check
Dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles, proper basketball court markings preferred
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Basketballs properly inflated and checked for damage
- •Low baskets securely mounted and stable
- •Cones with rounded edges and stable base
- •Bibs checked for tears that could cause injury
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between players during games
- •Falls due to quick direction changes
- •Contact injuries during one-on-one activities
- •Overexertion during high-intensity activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established and maintained throughout
- •Controlled contact rules consistently enforced
- •Progressive skill building from static to dynamic movements
- •Adequate spacing between different activity groups
- •Regular breaks and hydration opportunities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all active areas
- •Monitor one-on-one activities for inappropriate contact
- •Check activity intensity and adjust as needed
- •Immediate intervention for unsafe behaviour
Emergency Procedures
Stop signal recognised by all, clear evacuation routes, first aid kit accessible, trained first aider identified