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Lesson 6 - Movement Skills

Foundation Skills

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Year 7

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Basketball

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Big Question

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

Low Height Basketball Hoop

4-6 hoops

Positioned around gymnasium perimeter for slam dunk practice

Alternative: Large bins, netball posts with lowered rings

Basketball

1 per 2 students (15 balls for 30 students)

Stored in ball trolley, distributed at start of skill sections

Alternative: Size 5 footballs, large playground balls

Coloured Bibs

2 sets of 15 (different colours)

Used for team identification during games

Alternative: Coloured bands, team jerseys

Dish Cones

20 cones

Mark court boundaries, 3-point lines, and safe zones

Alternative: Dome markers, plastic bottles

Key Vocabulary

Shadow

To closely follow an opponent's movements while maintaining defensive position

Defence

The team or player trying to prevent the opposition from scoring

Offence

The team or player trying to score points

Side Shuffle

A defensive movement technique where feet slide sideways without crossing over

Charging

An illegal contact foul where a player runs into a stationary defender

Slam Dunk

A forceful shot where the ball is thrust downward through the basket

Defensive Position

The optimal stance and location to guard an opponent effectively

Change Direction/Speed

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

Maintains defensive position for 80% of possession

Successfully beats defender 3 out of 5 attempts

Demonstrates understanding of space and timing in game situations

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