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Lesson 8 - Tournament Mastery

Foundation Skills

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Year 7

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Basketball

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Big Question

How can we combine all our basketball skills to compete effectively and demonstrate excellent sportsmanship in tournament play?

Learning Objectives

To apply game strategies, passing, shooting and lay-up skills in competitive tournament situations
To demonstrate tactical awareness using triple threat and screen & roll techniques to outsmart opponents
To compete effectively whilst maintaining sportsmanship and respect for all participants

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully execute multiple basketball skills in game situations
Students will demonstrate tactical decision-making and teamwork in competitive matches
Students will show leadership and fair play throughout tournament competition

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball

15-20 (minimum 1 per 2 students)

Inflate to correct pressure, distribute around court perimeter

Alternative: Size 5 or 6 balls depending on student size

Coloured Bibs

32 (8 different colours, 4 per colour)

Organise by colour for quick team identification

Alternative: Coloured bands or pinnies

Dish Cones

Use to mark court boundaries and tournament areas

Alternative: Spots or markers

Score Sheets

8-10 sheets

Prepare tournament bracket and results tracking

Alternative: Whiteboard and markers

Stopwatch

2-3

For timing tournament matches accurately

Alternative: Phone timers

Key Vocabulary

Tournament

A competitive format where teams play multiple matches to determine overall winners

Sportsmanship

Fair play, respect for opponents, and positive behaviour regardless of result

Triple Threat

Basketball position allowing player to shoot, pass or dribble with equal effectiveness

Screen & Roll

Tactical play where one player blocks defender whilst teammate moves to create scoring opportunity

4 vs 4

Modified basketball format with four players per team, allowing more involvement

Game Application

Using practised skills in realistic, competitive game situations

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

Basic basketball skills: dribbling, passing, shooting
Understanding of lay-up technique and footwork
Knowledge of triple threat position and screen & roll basics
Experience of modified basketball games

Current Skills

Application of all skills in competitive tournament format
Strategic thinking and tactical decision-making
Advanced sportsmanship under competitive pressure
Leadership and team coordination skills

Next Steps

Advanced offensive and defensive strategies
Specialised positions and role-specific skills
Officiating and leadership responsibilities
Inter-school competition preparation

Milestone Indicators

Consistent execution of skills under pressure

Natural application of tactics without prompting

Positive leadership during challenging moments

Self-regulation of behaviour and emotions

Key Teaching Points

Maintain skill technique even under competitive pressure
Emphasise tactical decision-making and team cooperation
Celebrate sportsmanship as highly as skill achievement
Connect all skills learned throughout unit to game application
Build confidence through positive coaching and encouragement
Use tournament format to motivate maximum effort and engagement
Assess learning progression from unit beginning to end

Common Misconceptions

Thinking winning is more important than skill development - correct by emphasising process over outcome
Believing only advanced players can succeed in tournaments - address by celebrating all levels of achievement
Assuming competitive pressure means abandoning technique - reinforce that pressure should enhance focus on fundamentals
Focusing only on individual performance in team sports - emphasise collective success and cooperation
Expecting immediate mastery rather than gradual improvement - highlight progression and development over time

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Shorter match durations with regular breaks, clear boundaries and expectations, immediate positive feedback, movement breaks between games

dyspraxia

Larger/softer balls for easier handling, simplified court layouts, additional practice time, buddy support for skill development

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure for tournament format, quiet rest areas available, visual schedule of tournament progression, consistent teammate partnerships

emotional needs

Stress management strategies before competition, alternative success measures, emotional support during challenging moments, flexible participation levels

visual impairment

Use brightly coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for navigation, audio signals for starts and stops

hearing impairment

Clear visual demonstrations of all instructions, hand signals for communication, written rules and strategy cards, vibrating timers if available

physical disability

Wheelchair basketball adaptations, modified shooting heights, adapted court sizes, alternative roles such as scoring or coaching

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills during team discussions, reading and understanding complex game rules, vocabulary development through basketball terminology

Maths

Tournament scoring and statistics, time management and duration calculations, court dimensions and spatial reasoning, probability in game outcomes

Science

Forces and motion in ball flight and player movement, energy transfer in shooting and passing, human body systems during exercise and competition

Geography

Spatial awareness and court positioning, direction and movement patterns, mapping of tournament bracket systems

History

Development of basketball as a sport, Olympic and international competition history, rule evolution over time

PSHE

Teamwork and cooperation under pressure, managing emotions during competition, leadership development, respect and tolerance

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Elevated central position allowing oversight of all tournament courts, moving between games for close observation and coaching

Observation Focus

Skill application under pressure, tactical decision-making, sportsmanship behaviours, safety awareness throughout competition

Intervention Points

Step in immediately for safety concerns, provide coaching during natural breaks, address poor sportsmanship immediately, encourage struggling students

Demonstration Notes

Model positive coaching behaviour, demonstrate skills during natural breaks if needed, show excellent officiating and fair play throughout

Verbal Cues

•'Great decision-making under pressure!'
•'Show me those skills we practised!'
•'Excellent sportsmanship - that's true championship behaviour!'
•'Work together as a team!'
•'Stay calm and play smart basketball!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full sports hall or large gymnasium, minimum 28m x 15m for multiple courts, adequate height clearance for shooting practice

Surface Check

Non-slip, even surface free from water or debris, proper basketball court markings if available

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all basketballs are correctly inflated and in good condition
•Ensure bibs are clean and appropriate sizes for safety identification
•Verify cones are stable and visible, with no sharp edges or damage
•Confirm baskets are securely fixed and appropriate height

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between players during competitive games
•Falls from jumping or rapid direction changes
•Ball strikes to head or body during passing/shooting
•Overexertion due to tournament excitement and competitive pressure

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries with adequate safety zones between courts
•Proper warm-up and cool-down procedures to prevent injury
•Active supervision with teacher positioning for maximum visibility
•Regular hydration breaks and monitoring for fatigue
•Modified rules to reduce contact and collision risks
•Emphasis on controlled movement rather than maximum speed

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position at elevated point for overview of all courts simultaneously
•Move actively between courts during matches for close observation
•Maintain clear sightlines to all activity areas throughout lesson
•Have clear communication system for stopping all activity if needed

Emergency Procedures

Immediate stop signal understood by all students, clear access routes for first aid, emergency contact information readily available, designated students to assist if required