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Lesson 4 - Lay-Ups Under Pressure

Excellence In Sport Education

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Year 9

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Sport Education

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Big Question

How can leadership and resilience under pressure transform both individual performance and team dynamics in sport?

Learning Objectives

Lead their own warm-up and skill development sessions demonstrating effective coaching techniques
Execute lay-ups consistently under defensive pressure whilst maintaining technical accuracy
Demonstrate exemplary sportsmanship, fair play and respect for teammates and opponents throughout competitive situations

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully lead a structured warm-up session using clear communication and demonstration skills
Students will perform lay-ups under pressure with improved success rate and technical consistency
Students will analyse team performance using specific criteria and provide constructive feedback for improvement
Students will display leadership qualities and positive sporting behaviour during competitive play

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball

15 (1 per 2 students)

Stored in equipment bag, distributed by Equipment Manager before activities

Alternative: Size 6 balls for smaller hands, foam balls for confidence building

Coloured Bibs

30 (2 sets of 15)

Organised by team captains, ensuring clear team identification

Alternative: Different coloured t-shirts or pinnards

Dish Cones

20 mixed colours

Placed around court perimeter and at key positions for drills

Alternative: Markers, spots, or chalk lines on outdoor courts

Stopwatch

3 (one per team)

Given to Fitness Coach role for timing activities

Alternative: Mobile phone timers, wall clock with second hand

Numbered Papers

6 (2 per team)

For Team Captains to record analysis and tactics

Alternative: Tablets, whiteboard and markers

Key Vocabulary

Pressure

The mental and physical challenges created by opponents, time constraints, or competitive situations that can affect performance

Team Spirit

The collective positive attitude, mutual support, and shared commitment that binds a team together

Performance Analysis

The systematic evaluation of individual and team actions to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement

Respect

Showing consideration and appreciation for teammates, opponents, officials, and equipment through words and actions

Leadership

The ability to guide, motivate, and inspire others towards common goals whilst taking responsibility for outcomes

Resilience

The capacity to maintain performance levels and positive attitude when facing challenges, setbacks, or pressure

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic lay-up technique established
Understanding of basketball rules and court positions
Experience working in team roles and responsibilities
Fundamental warm-up movements and stretches

Current Skills

Leadership and communication skills in sport contexts
Performing skills under competitive pressure
Team performance analysis and reflection
Sportsmanship and fair play in competitive situations

Next Steps

Advanced tactical awareness and game management
Peer coaching and skill development programmes
Tournament organisation and officiating
Cross-curricular leadership applications

Milestone Indicators

Students confidently take leadership roles without prompting

Technical skills remain consistent under increasing pressure

Teams self-regulate behaviour and resolve conflicts positively

Performance analysis becomes increasingly sophisticated and actionable

Key Teaching Points

Leadership development requires authentic responsibility and accountability within safe, supportive environments
Pressure situations provide excellent opportunities for character development and resilience building
Sportsmanship and fair play must be explicitly taught, modelled, and reinforced throughout competitive activities
Team analysis and reflection skills develop when students are given structured frameworks and genuine responsibility
Technical skills under pressure require both physical practice and mental preparation strategies
Student-led activities increase engagement and ownership while developing crucial life skills
Assessment should focus on process and character development as much as technical skill outcomes

Common Misconceptions

Students believe pressure always negatively affects performance - teach that appropriate pressure can enhance focus and motivation
Leadership means being loudest or most dominant - emphasise that effective leadership involves listening, supporting, and adapting to others' needs
Sportsmanship is only important when winning - demonstrate that character is most important during challenging moments and setbacks
Technical skills should be perfect before applying pressure - explain that practicing under pressure is essential for game-realistic development
Team analysis should focus on individual mistakes - guide toward constructive team improvement and solution-focused thinking
Competition and cooperation cannot coexist - show how respectful competition can enhance relationships and mutual improvement

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break activities into shorter time segments with clear transitions, provide additional movement opportunities during reflection sessions, use visual cues and reminders for role responsibilities, offer choice in how to contribute to team discussions

dyspraxia

Allow extra practice time for lay-up technique development, provide step-by-step visual guides for complex movements, offer alternative ways to demonstrate leadership skills, use bigger basketballs and lower hoops for confidence building

autism spectrum

Provide clear visual schedule of lesson structure and timings, establish quiet zones for sensory breaks when needed, use consistent routines for equipment distribution and team organisation, give advance notice of any changes to planned activities

visual impairment

Use bright orange basketballs for better visibility, provide verbal descriptions of court layout and player positions, assign sighted buddy for navigation support, use larger targets for modified lay-up practice

hearing impairment

Use visual signals and hand gestures for communication, provide written instruction cards for role responsibilities, ensure face-to-face communication during coaching sessions, use vibrating timer for activity transitions

physical disability

Modify lay-up height and distance according to mobility needs, provide seated coaching opportunities for analysis sessions, adapt equipment with larger or lighter basketballs, adjust court size and game rules as needed

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Communication skills through coaching and team analysis, persuasive speaking during team motivation, analytical writing through performance evaluation and improvement planning

Maths

Statistical analysis of shooting percentages and success rates, calculating improvement percentages from baseline measurements, using geometry concepts for optimal shooting angles and court positioning

Science

Understanding biomechanics of jumping and landing for injury prevention, cardiovascular responses to high-intensity exercise and pressure situations, physics of ball trajectory and optimal release angles

PSHE

Leadership development and responsibility taking, emotional regulation under pressure and competitive stress, building resilience and growth mindset through challenge and setback

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move strategically between skill stations and game areas, maintaining sight lines to all activities, position near highest-risk activities during intensive periods

Observation Focus

Monitor technical progression under pressure, assess leadership development through role execution, watch for sportsmanship examples and areas needing intervention

Intervention Points

Step in when safety concerns arise, support struggling role holders with guidance, reinforce positive behaviour immediately, address unsportsmanlike conduct promptly

Demonstration Notes

Model lay-up technique under pressure showing body protection and eyes on target, demonstrate effective coaching language and positive encouragement techniques, show examples of outstanding sportsmanship during competitive moments

Verbal Cues

•'Protect the ball with your body on the approach!'
•'Remember your improvement goal from team analysis!'
•'Excellent sportsmanship - that's exactly what we're looking for!'
•'Skills Coaches, what specific feedback can you give about that technique?'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full basketball court minimum 26m x 14m, or adapted space with minimum 20m x 12m area for modified games

Surface Check

Indoor court surface dry and clean, outdoor surface free from debris, adequate grip for quick direction changes

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Basketballs properly inflated to regulation pressure for consistent bouncing
•Basket heights appropriate for Year 9 (standard 3.05m or adjustable to 2.75m)
•Cones have rounded edges and stable base, positioned away from high-traffic areas
•Bibs checked for tears or loose fastenings that could cause entanglement

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions during fast-break situations and lay-up attempts
•Ankle injuries from landing after jumping or quick direction changes
•Finger injuries from catching or deflecting basketballs
•Overexertion during high-intensity competitive play

Risk Mitigation

•Clear court boundaries established and communicated before activity
•Controlled defender pressure to prevent dangerous contact during lay-ups
•Progressive warm-up including basketball-specific movements
•Regular hydration breaks during extended game periods
•Teacher positioned for optimal supervision of highest-risk activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for clear sight lines to all active play areas
•Move between game courts during competitive play for comprehensive observation
•Monitor physical exertion levels and emotional responses to pressure
•Intervene immediately for unsafe play or unsportsmanlike behaviour

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately with clear whistle signal, assess injury severity, provide appropriate first aid, contact medical support if required, complete accident report forms