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Lesson 4 - Lay-Ups Under Pressure

Team Skills & Leadership Strategies

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Year 8

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Sport Education

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Big Question

How can I enhance the quality and spirit of my team while performing under pressure?

Learning Objectives

Lead their own warm-up and drills with confidence and clarity
Execute lay ups consistently under defensive pressure situations
Demonstrate fair play, respect and excellent sportsmanship throughout competitive activities

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully lead a structured warm-up routine for their team
Students will complete lay ups under pressure with improved technique and success rate
Students will analyse team performance using specific criteria and suggest tactical improvements

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball

1 per 2 students (15 total)

Distributed around court perimeter before lesson

Alternative: Size 5 balls for smaller hands if needed

Coloured Bibs

15 of each colour (2 sets)

Sorted into team sets ready for distribution

Alternative: Coloured bands or t-shirts

Dish Cones

20 cones

Available for drill setup and court marking

Alternative: Spot markers or chalk lines

Sun Markers

1 portable board

For tactical discussions and team analysis

Alternative: Clipboards with paper

Stopwatch

4 stopwatches

One per team for timing activities

Alternative: Mobile phone timers

Key Vocabulary

Pressure situation

When a defender actively challenges your attempt to score or perform a skill

Team analysis

Systematic review of team strengths, weaknesses and tactical performance

Performance reflection

Thoughtful consideration of what went well and what needs improvement

Sportsmanship

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

Match tactics

Strategic decisions about player positioning, plays and approaches to win

Team spirit

Unity, mutual support and positive atmosphere within the team

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic lay up technique from stationary position
Understanding of basketball rules and court positions
Experience working in team roles and responsibilities

Current Skills

Leading warm-up activities with authority and clarity
Executing lay ups under defensive pressure
Analysing team performance using structured criteria

Next Steps

Leading full training sessions independently
Advanced offensive moves under multiple defender pressure
Implementing tactical changes during competitive matches

Milestone Indicators

Students demonstrate confidence when giving instructions to peers

Success rate of lay ups under pressure improves by 30%

Team analysis includes specific tactical suggestions

Key Teaching Points

Leadership develops through structured opportunities with clear expectations and support
Pressure situations should enhance performance through proper preparation and mindset
Sportsmanship is actively demonstrated through specific behaviours not just good intentions
Team analysis requires specific examples and constructive focus on improvement
Technical skills under pressure need progressive development and realistic challenges
Recognition and celebration should cover effort, improvement and attitude not just ability
Student-led learning requires clear frameworks and appropriate teacher intervention points

Common Misconceptions

Pressure situations always make performance worse - teach that proper preparation helps pressure enhance focus
Good sportsmanship means being soft or non-competitive - demonstrate that respect enhances competitive performance
Leadership means being the loudest or most dominant - show how effective leaders facilitate and support others
Team analysis should focus on blame and criticism - model how to identify specific improvements constructively
Only the most skilled players can be effective leaders - highlight different leadership qualities and opportunities

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Frequent activity changes, clear boundaries and expectations, leadership roles to channel energy positively, immediate feedback

dyspraxia

Break down lay up technique into smaller steps, allow extra practice time, use larger basketballs, simplified tactical concepts initially

autism spectrum

Clear routine structure, visual schedule of lesson sections, quiet reflection zones available, predictable role assignments

visual impairment

Use bright coloured balls and bibs, provide verbal descriptions of tactical setups, pair with sighted buddy for court awareness

hearing impairment

Use visual signals for drill changes, provide written tactical sheets, ensure face-to-face communication for instructions

physical disability

Modify lay up height or distance, adapted basketball rules, seated coaching roles available, modified defensive pressure

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills through coaching, articulating tactical analysis, developing vocabulary for performance description

Maths

Statistical analysis of lay up success rates, calculating improvement percentages, measuring angles and distances in tactical positioning

Science

Biomechanics of lay up technique, physics of ball trajectory under pressure, physiological effects of competitive pressure on performance

Geography

Spatial awareness in team positioning, understanding court geography and movement patterns

PSHE

Leadership development, conflict resolution, building resilience under pressure, developing empathy through sportsmanship

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central court position allowing view of all activities, move actively between groups during matches

Observation Focus

Monitor lay up technique consistency, leadership development, and sportsmanship demonstration throughout

Intervention Points

Step in when defensive pressure becomes unsafe, when leadership needs support, or when sportsmanship standards drop

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate: Pause action to show excellent examples of pressure lay ups, leadership, or sportsmanship when they occur naturally

Verbal Cues

•'Drive hard but stay controlled'
•'Show me that positive team spirit'
•'Great coaching - clear instructions!'
•'Excellent sportsmanship example there!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full basketball court or equivalent space minimum 25m x 15m

Surface Check

Non-slip surface, free from water or debris, proper court markings visible

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Basketballs properly inflated and in good condition
•Cones with rounded edges and bright colours
•Bibs checked for tears that could cause injury

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Player collisions during pressure drills
•Falls when attempting lay ups at speed
•Overexertion in competitive match situations
•Equipment-related trips or strikes

Risk Mitigation

•Clear drill boundaries established with cones
•Controlled defensive pressure - no dangerous challenges
•Progressive skill building before full pressure application
•Regular hydration and exertion monitoring

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to observe both drill stations simultaneously
•Move actively between groups during match play
•Monitor contact levels and competitive intensity
•Watch for signs of fatigue affecting safety

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately, assess situation, apply first aid if qualified, seek additional help if needed, complete accident reporting