🏅

Lesson 3 - Lay-Up Leadership Skills

Team Skills & Leadership Strategies

•

Year 8

•

Sport Education

•

Big Question

How can strong leadership and technical excellence transform team performance?

Learning Objectives

Demonstrate effective leadership skills by conducting warm-ups and providing constructive feedback
Execute lay-up technique with consistent accuracy and apply skills in game situations
Display exemplary sportsmanship and fair play whilst analysing team performance

Key Outcomes

Students will confidently lead sections of training sessions using clear communication
Students will perform lay-ups with correct footwork, hand positioning and follow-through
Students will demonstrate leadership qualities whilst maintaining respect for opponents and officials

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball

15-20 (1 per 2 students minimum)

Pre-positioned around court perimeter for easy access

Alternative: Size 6 balls for smaller hands, softer training balls for beginners

Bibs

30 (2 sets of different colours)

Organised in team colours ready for immediate distribution

Alternative: Coloured pinnies, team shirts or bands

Cones

22 for marking positions and boundaries

Available for student leaders to set up drills independently

Alternative: Spot markers, chalk lines or tape

Clipboards

4-6 for team managers and coaches

Each with pencils and evaluation forms ready

Alternative: Notepads, tablets or recording sheets

Stopwatch

4 for timing activities

Distributed to student leaders for activity management

Alternative: Mobile phone timers or classroom clock

First Aid Kit

1 accessible to teacher

Positioned for immediate access if required

Alternative: Basic supplies in sports hall

Key Vocabulary

Lay-up

A close-range shot where the ball is released near the basket, usually off the backboard

Leadership

The ability to guide, motivate and inspire others towards achieving common goals

Sportsmanship

Fair play, respect for opponents and gracious behaviour in both victory and defeat

Fair Play

Honest, respectful behaviour that follows both rules and spirit of the game

Team Tactics

Coordinated strategies and movements designed to create scoring opportunities

Communication

Clear verbal and non-verbal signals that help coordinate team actions

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic basketball handling skills including dribbling and passing
Understanding of team roles and responsibilities
Experience working in small groups during PE activities

Current Skills

Leadership and communication skills in sporting contexts
Technical mastery of lay-up shooting technique
Advanced sportsmanship and fair play principles

Next Steps

Leading full team training sessions independently
Advanced shooting techniques including jump shots
Tactical understanding and in-game decision making

Milestone Indicators

Students volunteer to lead activities confidently

Lay-up success rate improves to 70% or higher

Teams self-regulate behaviour without teacher intervention

Key Teaching Points

Student leadership development requires scaffolded support and gradual responsibility increase
Lay-up technique must emphasise footwork sequence and gentle release above all other factors
Sportsmanship and fair play are as important as technical skills in this lesson
Multiple leadership roles ensure all students experience different responsibility types
Game application should test skill transfer whilst maintaining positive learning environment
Recognition and reflection consolidate learning and motivate continued development
Balance between peer leadership and teacher oversight ensures safety and progress

Common Misconceptions

Students may believe leadership requires loud, dominating behaviour rather than supportive guidance
Some may think lay-ups are 'easy' shots not worth practicing compared to longer range attempts
Students might assume sportsmanship means letting opponents win rather than playing fairly
Students may expect immediate perfection in leadership roles rather than gradual development
Some may think competitive games require abandoning learned skills in favour of winning
Students might believe recognition should only go to the most skilled rather than most improved

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Frequent activity changes, clear boundaries, immediate positive feedback for attention and effort

dyspraxia

Larger basketballs, simplified footwork patterns, extra practice time for skill development

autism spectrum

Clear structured routines, predictable role rotations, quiet reflection spaces available

visual impairment

Use bright coloured basketballs, provide verbal descriptions of demonstrations, buddy system for navigation

hearing impairment

Visual demonstrations of all skills, written instruction cards, hand signals for communication

physical disability

Lower baskets where possible, seated shooting practice, modified court sizes and distances

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Developing communication skills through leadership roles, interview techniques, giving clear instructions

Maths

Calculating shooting percentages, measuring court dimensions, analysing performance statistics

Drama

Presentation skills for team photos and interviews, projecting voice clearly during leadership

ICT

Recording and analysing performance data, creating digital team profiles and presentations

PSHE

Building confidence, resilience, teamwork skills, and emotional regulation under pressure

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Circulate between teams to observe leadership development while maintaining overview of all activities

Observation Focus

Balance between technical skill development, leadership quality, and sportsmanship demonstration

Intervention Points

Step in if safety concerns arise, leadership becomes ineffective, or behaviour standards drop

Demonstration Notes

Support student leaders by modelling techniques when requested but allow them to lead wherever possible

Verbal Cues

•'Show me that leadership confidence!'
•'Gentle release on those lay-ups!'
•'Excellent sportsmanship - keep it up!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full basketball court or equivalent space minimum 20m x 15m with 3m clearance around boundaries

Surface Check

Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from debris and obstacles

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Basketballs properly inflated and free from damage
•Baskets securely mounted with no loose components
•Cones have rounded edges and stable base

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during lay-up practice and games
•Falls when jumping for shots or rebounds
•Ball strikes to head or body
•Overexertion during high-intensity activities

Risk Mitigation

•Clear practice lines and adequate spacing between activities
•Controlled progression from walking to running lay-ups
•Emphasis on awareness and communication during games
•Regular hydration breaks and intensity monitoring

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for maximum visibility of all courts and activities
•Monitor high-activity areas around baskets closely
•Observe student leaders to ensure safe activity management

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess injury severity, apply appropriate first aid, contact emergency services if required