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Big Question

How can we demonstrate leadership and celebrate our team's journey while maintaining excellent sportsmanship under competitive pressure?

Learning Objectives

  • Lead their own warm-up, drills and fitness challenges with confidence and clarity
  • Demonstrate exemplary fair play and good sportsmanship during competitive match situations
  • Celebrate team successes and reflect meaningfully on individual and collective contributions to team development

Key Outcomes

  • Students will successfully lead a 10-minute team preparation session incorporating warm-up and skill drills
  • Students will demonstrate consistent fair play behaviours during tournament matches, showing respect for officials, opponents and teammates
  • Students will complete a comprehensive team reflection identifying individual contributions and celebrating collective achievements

Equipment & Resources Required

Basketball
1 per 3 students (10 balls)

Distributed around court perimeter for easy access during drills

Alternative: Size 6 basketballs for smaller hands, foam balls for adapted versions

Team bibs
30 (various colours)

Pre-sorted by team colours and placed at team stations

Alternative: Coloured pinnies or team t-shirts

Cones
20 assorted sizes

Available for teams to create their own drill setups

Alternative: Spot markers or poly dots

Cards
3 sets (Speed, Agility, Endurance)

Laminated cards with clear instructions and timing guidelines

Alternative: Tablet or printed circuit diagrams

SAQ Ladders
2

Set up in designated fitness areas with adequate space

Alternative: Chalk lines or tape markers on floor

Low Hurdles
6

Height adjustable, spaced 2 metres apart in agility course

Alternative: Cones with poles or imaginary barriers

Stopwatch
6 (1 per team)

Distributed to team fitness coaches for activity timing

Alternative: Phone timer apps or wall clock for timing

Score Sheets
30 (1 per student)

Pre-printed with structured reflection questions

Alternative: Digital forms on tablets or verbal discussion prompts

Key Vocabulary

Sportsmanship

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

Leadership

Taking responsibility for guiding and motivating a team towards shared goals

Team Reflection

Thoughtfully examining team performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement

Fitness Components

The physical qualities needed for sport performance: speed, agility, and endurance

Contribution

The positive actions and efforts each team member brings to achieve collective success

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

  • Students have established team roles and understand Sport Education model expectations
  • Students can perform fundamental basketball skills with increasing confidence
  • Students have experience working in teams and understand basic leadership principles

Current Skills

  • Leading team preparation sessions with confidence and organisation
  • Demonstrating consistent sportsmanship under competitive pressure
  • Reflecting critically on team performance and individual contributions

Next Steps

  • Taking leadership roles in inter-school competitions and tournaments
  • Mentoring younger students in sport education programmes
  • Applying leadership and reflection skills across other curriculum areas

Milestone Indicators

1
Students volunteer to take leadership roles without prompting
2
Teams demonstrate mutual support and encouragement during challenging moments
3
Reflection discussions show deep understanding of team dynamics and personal growth

Key Teaching Points

  • Leadership is about bringing out the best in others, not just being in charge
  • True sportsmanship is most important when the pressure is highest
  • Every team member contributes something valuable, even if it's not always obvious
  • Reflection helps us learn from our experiences and grow as people
  • Physical fitness and mental toughness support each other in sport and life
  • Celebrating others' successes makes our own achievements more meaningful
  • Good teammates support each other especially when things get difficult

Common Misconceptions

  • Leadership means telling everyone what to do - actually it means inspiring and supporting others to do their best
  • Sportsmanship only matters when you're losing - actually it's most important when you're winning or under pressure
  • Only the best players contribute to team success - actually everyone brings something valuable in different ways
  • Reflection is just talking about what happened - actually it involves deep thinking about learning and growth
  • Fitness training should always be individual - actually supporting teammates during tough training builds stronger teams

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Break leadership responsibilities into shorter segments, provide fidget tools during reflection discussions, use movement-based activities to maintain engagement
dyspraxia
  • Simplify equipment setup for student leaders, provide extra time for organising and planning, offer alternative ways to demonstrate leadership skills
autism spectrum
  • Provide clear structure for leadership roles, give advance notice of reflection topics, create quiet spaces for students who need breaks from group activities
visual impairment
  • Use bright coloured equipment for better visibility, provide verbal descriptions of all activities, establish buddy system for guidance during movement
hearing impairment
  • Ensure visual demonstrations accompany all verbal instructions, use hand signals for communication during games, provide written reflection prompts
physical disability
  • Modify leadership roles to match physical capabilities, adapt fitness challenges for wheelchair users, ensure all reflection activities are accessible

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Developing communication and leadership language, articulating reflections and evaluations clearly

Citizenship

Understanding fair play and democratic participation, respecting diverse contributions to group success

PSHE

Personal development through leadership roles, building resilience under pressure, understanding teamwork and mutual respect

Psychology

Exploring team dynamics, motivation techniques, and the impact of positive/negative behaviours on group performance

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Circulate between teams during student-led activities, position centrally during tournaments for maximum court visibility

Observation Focus

Monitor leadership development, assess sportsmanship consistency, watch for signs of physical or emotional fatigue

Intervention Points

Step in if student leaders need support, intervene immediately for safety concerns or poor sportsmanship

Demonstration Notes

Model leadership communication techniques, demonstrate examples of excellent sportsmanship, show how to give constructive feedback during reflection

Verbal Cues
  • 'Outstanding leadership!' when students demonstrate effective team guidance
  • 'That's exactly what great sportsmanship looks like!' to reinforce positive behaviours
  • 'How can we support our teammate here?' to encourage mutual assistance

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Full sports hall or gymnasium with multiple court markings, minimum 30m x 18m clear playing area

Surface Check

Non-slip indoor surface checked for moisture, debris or any trip hazards before activities begin

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Basketballs checked for correct inflation and condition
  • Agility equipment inspected for stability and appropriate setup
  • All cones and markers positioned safely away from high-traffic areas

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Collisions during competitive matches
  • Overexertion during fitness challenges
  • Disputes or conflicts arising from competitive pressure
Risk Mitigation
  • Clear court boundaries established and communicated
  • Graduated intensity during fitness activities with adequate rest periods
  • Strong emphasis on sportsmanship and conflict resolution strategies
  • Adult supervision positioned for maximum visibility of all activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position to observe all courts during tournament matches
  • Monitor fitness activities for signs of overexertion
  • Intervene immediately if sportsmanship standards decline
Emergency Procedures

Stop all activities immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or emotional support, ensure all students remain calm and safe