Basketball
Invasion Games | Years 3–4 | 6 Lessons
Basketball Sessions
These basketball sessions focus on developing passing, movement, attacking space, and defending within small-sided games. Lessons are progressive and suitable for indoor or outdoor delivery.
Lesson Plans
Lesson 1: Basic Dribbling
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To be able to find & move into spaces
- To be able to manipulate & keep control of the basketball
Success Criteria:
- I can identify free spaces
- I can dribble ball close to my body.
- I can move while keeping control of the ball.
Key Words:
- Space
- Dribble
- Control
Equipment:
- Basketballs/large balls
- Cones for set up
Preparation Idea (warm up) – Looking For Spaces:
Children will spread out in the area that has been set up. When “go” is signalled, they will jog around the area trying to avoid bumping into others. They should be looking to exploit spaces within the area. If they find the space, they should look to sprint into that area.
Progressions
>Change traveling action to side steps and backwards movements.
>When moving sideways, children should look to move with slightly bent knees, crouched down for a low center of gravity. >When moving backwards, children should be checking their shoulders.
>Same with the first activity (jog), when the children find a space, they should sprint into it.
Skill Development:
Ball manipulation:
Each child will receive a basketball and will look to find a space. In this activity, the children must look to keep control of their ball. The children will look to manipulate the ball around their body. This can be done by:
>Moving the ball around their waist – Start by allowing the children to use their body as they move the ball around their waist.
>Figure of 8 – The figure of 8 is performed through the legs. The children should look to move the ball around and through their legs in a figure of 8. Start by allowing the ball to be moved in the figure of 8 whilst on the floor
>Creative section – Allow the children to move the ball around their body in any way – the only aim is to keep the ball under control at all times
Progression:
>The ball must not touch their body as they move it around their waist. They should instead look to switch the ball from hand to hand as the ball moves around the waist
>The ball should be in the air as it travels in the figure of 8 through the legs
Dribbling Part 1:
Children to begin by each having a basketball and dribbling the ball on the spot. Allow the children to have a go at dribbling the way they think is best. It may be high, low or at waist height. It may also be using their fingers or their palms of their hands. Allow this for 30 secs/1 minute. Now allow the children to attempt to use the correct technique on the spot. The aim is to keep the ball as close to you as possible without having to move your feet to retrieve the ball.
Progressions:
>Can you bounce the ball using only your weaker hand and maintain the same control
>Can we now bounce the ball from one hand to the other – when doing this, the children should have slightly bent knees and they should move the ball from side to side keeping the ball bouncing
Dribbling Part 2:
Now that the children are comfortable bouncing the ball, they can now start to move the ball around the area. Allow the children to move around the area with the ball. Start off by walking with the ball.
Progressions:
>Jog whilst keeping control of the ball
>Move sideways & backwards whilst keeping control of the ball
>Those who are able to complete all 3 can now look to look for space as they move around the area. When they find a space, can they move into that space and complete a ball manipulation.
Game – Remote Control Game
This game works by thinking of a remote control. The children move around the space and follow the commands of the teacher. The commands are:
>Play – Children will walk around the area bouncing the ball
>Rewind – Children will walk backwards whilst bouncing the ball
>Fast forward – Children will look to jog whilst bouncing the ball
>Pause – Children will stop and begin the manipulate the ball around their body (around their waist, figure of 8 or being creative)
Progressions:
Add these commands:
>Change the channel – Children will swap which hand they are bouncing with
>Volume down – Bounce the ball lower to the ground whilst keeping control
>Volume up – Begin to bring the ball back up to waist height
Teaching points:
- We can only bounce the ball with one hand at a time
- Children to use their fingers to bounce the ball, not their palms. This keeps the ball under more control
- Create a spider web with the fingers to dribble with fingers slightly bent.
- Ensure children keep the ball waist height to dribble, keeping their heads up whilst moving
Key Questions:
- Why should we keep the ball close to us whilst dribbling?
- How do we achieve close control when dribbling?
- What part of our hands should we use to bounce the ball?
National curriculum links:
- Using running and dribbling in isolation and combination
- Developing control and technique
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing listening skills
- To be able to follow instructions given
- To gain confidence when developing new skills
Lesson 2: Dribbling Continued
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objective:
- To improve dribbling control and begin changing speed and direction.
- To understand simple dribbling rules
Success Criteria:
- I can dribble with my head up.
- I can change direction while dribbling.
- I can protect the ball from a defender.
Key Words:
- Rules – double dribble & travel
- Protect
- Control
Equipment:
- Basketballs/large balls
- Cones
- Bibs
Preparation Idea (Warm Up) – Trucks & Trailers
Children to be given a ball each and in pairs. With their partner, one person will be in front with another behind. The truck (those at the front) will look to dribble the ball around the area whilst their partner (trailer) looks to follow and stay close behind their partner. Allow groups to be creative with the truck taking the lead.
Skill Development
Protection
Each child will have a ball and will find a space inside the area. We are going to learn how to protect the ball from a defender. Scatter cones around the area, these can be used as defenders.
As the children reach a cone, the need to turn and put their body between the ball and the cone and then move off into another direction. Remember that basketball is a non contact sport, so being able to protect them ball from the defender by putting our body in between, makes it more difficult for the defender to intercept the ball
Progression:
>Can the children first protect the ball, then dribble the ball left or right, to get away from the defender. This requires speed and agility to get change direction
Basketball Tag
Choose 3-4 children to be taggers. Their job is to try and take the ball from those who are dribbling the ball. Those who are dribbling have to try to protect their ball from the defender. If they do get their ball taken away, they have to perform a ball manipulation to come back into the game. This also applies if the children dribble the ball out of the area.
Progression:
>Add more taggers to the game
>Make the area smaller so the children have less space to work in
Game – King/Queen of the ring
Each child has a ball. The idea is to try to protect your ball in the area whilst removing others balls from the area. If your ball is removed from the area, you have to perform 3 ball manipulations to come back in to the game
Progression:
>If your ball leaves the area, you are out of the game. This way you can find a winner.
Teaching Points:
- Protection – The way that we do this is by getting our body between the ball and the defender.
- Keep the ball bouncing below the waist to keep control of the ball
- Agility – Can the children change direction quickly to get away from the defender
- Double dribble – We can only bounce the ball with one hand at a time and when you dribble you cannot dribble, catch and then dribble again. When you catch the ball after dribbling, you can only pass or shoot. A foul will be given.
- Travel – You cannot move whilst holding the basketball. To move, you must be bouncing the ball. A foul will be given
Key Questions:
- Why is it important to keep your body between the defender and ball?
- How else can we protect the ball whilst dribbling?
- What happens if you double dribble or are caught traveling with the ball?
National curriculum links:
- Play competitive games against others, applying basic principles of attacking and defending
- Develop control and technique through playing basketball
Social/environmental skills:
- Understanding sporting values – winning and losing
- Improving problem solving skills
Lesson 3: Basic Passing
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objective:
- To pass a basketball accurately to a teammate.
- To understand the different types of passes in basketball
Success Criteria:
- I can perform a chest & bounce pass using correct technique
- I can pass with good accuracy & power
- I can catch the ball using two hands.
Key Words:
- Chest & Bounce Pass
- Technique
- Power & Aim
Equipment:
- Basketballs/large balls
- Cones for set up
- Bibs
Preparation Idea (warm up) – Cat & Mouse
In pairs, one person is 1 the other is 2. Number 1 will start as mouse. They will have the ball and will dribble around the area. Number 2, the cat, will begin on the outside of the area. On the word ‘GO’ the cat will run in and try and tackle their partner. If they are tackled allow them to have the ball back, the cat counts to 5 before they can go and tackle them again. After 30 seconds, they swap roles.
Skill Development
Split class into pairs with one ball per group. Groups to be spread out in the area, standing around 4-5m apart from each other. We are goign to practice the 3 basic passes:
3 basic passes:
Chest pass – Ball starts at the chest with hands either side of the ball making a W shape connecting thumbs. Step forward with strong foot and pass the ball aiming for your partners chest. Explain to the children this is a short distanced pass and should be used for that
Over head – Ball in hand placed above your head. The ball is thrown (looped in the air) towards your partner (similar to a throw in in football). This pass is a long range pass. The children should imagine that there is a defender in between and that you are trying to throw the ball over the defender and to their partner
Bounce pass – This pass is similar to the chest pass. The ball starts at the chest and is bounced into the ground towards your partner. The ball should only bounce once before your partner catches the ball. You should look to aim for around 2/3 of the distance between you and your partner (just before their feet) so that the ball bounces up towards their hands.
Can the pairs complete 10 sets of each pass without losing control of the ball.
Progression:
>Pairs standing further apart.
>Can the pairs move around whilst completing passes. The person with the ball should be dribbling before passing to their partner.
Game – Piggy in the middle
Groups of 5. Set up a small square for them to work in. One person in the middle to try and win the ball while the group are using the passes we just learned to pass round in their area. If the person in the middle is able to intercept the pass, the person who loses possession goes into the middle.
Progression:
>Make the area smaller, so the piggy has a greater chance of intercepting the ball
>Add another piggy to create a 3v2 situation, making it more difficult for the team to keep the ball
>Create a point system – 5 passes = 1 point
Teaching Points:
- Aim for their partner’s hands to make it easier for them to catch the ball.
- Ensure the children are adding the correct power for the type of pass they make – the longer the distance the more power required
- Person catching should be stood with feet slightly apart, hands up in front creating a W shape with their hands with a small gap between their thumbs (as the ball is large)
- Talk to the children about the types of passes they make depending on the position of the defender e.g. If a defender is in the way, we should not use a chest pass
Key Questions:
- Can we name the 3 types of passes?
- Where should we be aiming when passing to our partner and why?
- How do we know how much power to add to our pass?
National curriculum links:
- Using running, catching and throwing in isolation and combination
- Playing competitive games with others, applying basic principles of attacking and defending
Social/environmental skills:
- Working with others developing team work and collaboration
- Improving our communication skills
Lesson 4: Making Choices For Attacking & Defending
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To make simple attacking and defending decisions.
- To improve decision making skills to achieve success
Success Criteria:
- I can move into space when attacking.
- I can try to intercept or block when defending.
- I can choose when to pass or dribble.
Key Words:
- Decision Making
- Communication
- Space
Equipment:
- Cones
- Basketballs/large balls
- Bibs
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Germs & Medicine
Pick 2/4 taggers (these will be the germs). Pick the same number of children with a ball (these are the medicine)
If you are tagged by a germ, you must freeze in the ready position we learned last week, standing ready to catch the ball W shape. You can join back in when a medicine passes you the ball, you will then become the medicine and find someone else to free. Start with 4 balls, increase or decrease depending on ability.
Skill Development
Shuttle defending
All the children lined up on one side of the activity area. We are going to learn how to shuttle defend in order to intercept an attacker
Allow the children to have a few turns moving from one side to the other using this technique. Remember to keep our knees bent as we move backwards to allow us to move quicker
Progression:
>Children to be in pairs. One tagger and one runner. The runner has to get past the defender, whilst the defender has to shuffle back and wait for the right time to tag the runner
1v1
Split the basketball court into 3 sections using the 3 sections of the court. Pick 6 teams and two teams will face each other in each section. They will start on the side line of the court on each side facing, one team will attack first, they will start with the ball and try and cross the other teams back line. If they are tackled, the game is over and next person goes, swap attacking team after everyone has had a turn. 1 point is awarded if the attacking team is able to get across to the other side
Progression:
>Allow the defender, if they intercept, to be able to dribble to the opposition line to win a point
Game – 2v1
The game works in the same way as the previous activity, the attacking team must try to cross the defending team’s line. This time however, there are 2 attackers and 1 defender. This is where we think about tactics. The attackers need to work out when it is best to pass and when is best to dribble. The same with the defender, when do I look to intercept the ball. Allow teams to swap to have a go at attacking and defending.
Teaching Points:
- Side step defending position. This is where we have one foot in front of the other with a small gap between our feet, our knees bent with one arm (preferably your strong hand) out in front ready to intercept the ball. This allows us to move backwards when the attacking is dribbling without them being able to get past on either side.
- Wait for the correct timing to attempt an interception – When the attacker loses control of the ball.
- When attacking – dribble with unpredictability – can we change direction to confuse defenders
- The attackers need to think when is it best to pass and when it is best to dribble. Passing is the best option when the defender is close to us and our team mate is in space. The opposite applies for when dribbling is the best option.
Key Questions:
- As an attacker, when is it best to pass and when is it best to dribble? – it depends on where the defender is
- As an attacker, how can we protect the ball from the defender? – dribble with close control and use our body at times to block
- As a defender, who should you look to defend in a 2v1 position? – Defend the person with the ball but look to block any passes to their team mate
National curriculum links:
- Using running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Play competitive games with others, applying basic principles for attacking and defending
- Develop technique and control through playing basketball
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work skills
- Improving communication skills
- Learning about making correct choices and decision making skills
Lesson 5: Basic Shooting
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
To shoot the ball towards a target using basic technique.
Success Criteria:
- I can use two hands to shoot the ball.
- I can aim towards the hoop or target.
Key Words:
- Set shot
- Accuracy
- Technique
Equipment:
- Basketballs/large balls
- Basketball/netball hoops
- Cones
- Bibs
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – King/Queen of the ring
Each child given a ball inside the area. The idea of the game is to keep control of your ball whilst trying to knock others balls out of the same area. If your ball leaves the area you must do a number of ball manipulations to return to the game. When the game stops, those with the most knock outs of overs as well as the least number of knockouts themselves are the winners.
If you have differing ability levels, have two separate games going on (one with high ability and one with low ability)
Skill Development
Set shot
The children should know the technique for the set shot. This technique is hand in the cookie jar (see teaching points)
Round the clock
Split the children into even groups and place 5 cones around hoop. One should be at 9 o’clock, one at 10/11 o’clock, one at 12 o’clock, one at 1/ 2 o’clock and one at 3 o’clock
Children should practice their shot from different angles using the cookie jar technique. If they hit in from one angle, can they shoot from a different cone changing the angle they are aiming from. Remember to aim for the small square on the backboard. This will give the best chance for the ball to go in.
Progressions:
>Change the distance to the board (closer for low ability, further away for high ability)
>Focus the low ability children shooting from 12 o’clock. Those of higher ability can try from different angles (especially the 3 & 9 position)
>Make this a game where the children start at 12, then move around until they score from all 5 angles
Game – Chase My Score
Split the group in half and have one group shooting and one group dribbling.
The class shooting must score 8 baskets to finish the game. At the same time, the dribbling group need to dribble one at a time across the width of the court. For every child that can dribble the ball across the court and back, the dribbling team get 1 point. Once the game is finished, swap the teams over and see if they can beat their score.
Progressions:
>Increase/decrease the distance of dribbling and the distance to the hoop depending on the ability levels of the class.
>If some individuals need challenged, you can get them to shoot from different angles rather than at 12 o’clock
Teaching Points:
- Set shot – Stand with legs apart for balance. Elbows under the ball. Pretend the ball is a clock. (Hands placed at 12 & 3). Aim for the small square on the backboard of the hoop. As you release the ball, pretend you are putting your strong hand into a cookie jar. This will put backspin onto the ball helping it to go through the hoop if it hits the backboard
- We want the children to focus on power and aim. If we are shooting at a basketball hoop with a backboard, we want the children to aim for the small square. If we add too much power, the ball will bounce out from the backboard, so make sure we add the correct power.
Key Questions:
- What 2 things do we need to think about when shooting? – Aim and power
- Where are we aiming for on the backboard when shooting? – the square
- Why is it important to show encouragement to team mates?
National curriculum links:
- Using throwing in isolation and combinations
- Develop control and technique through playing basketball
Social/environmental links:
- Showing compassion and encouragement
- Working as part of a team
Lesson 6: Basketball Games
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To apply basketball skills in a game situation
- To follow the rules of the games
Success Criteria:
- I can use dribbling, passing and shooting in a game.
- I can follow simple basketball rules.
- I can work as part of a team and show fair play.
Key Words:
- Teamwork
- Rules
- Fair play
Equipment:
- Basketballs/large balls
- Cones
- Bibs
- Hoops/benches
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Team Warm Up
Depending on the size of the class, split the children into even teams (of 5-6 max per team)
Give each group a ball and allow them to go and create their own warm up. This should include a dynamic movement (jog, shuttle), a stretch (1 stretch per person in the group) and practice passing the ball in the group
Game – Basketball Games
Depending on the size of the space you have and staff members available, set up one or two basketball areas. If you have access to a court, you may want to split the court in half and play two games of half court where the two teams playing aim to shoot into the same hoop. If you are playing half court, to restart the game after a point is scored, the game begins in the middle of the court.
If you don’t have access to basketball hoops you may want to use benches and have one child on each bench to act as the hoop. The idea would be to shoot the ball to the person on the bench who will catch the ball for the point to be scored.
Children who are not playing can be used as referees or assistants. Roles can include:
Time keeper
Score keeper
One person on each sideline keeping track of if the ball goes out of play
If you only have one space available go with the 4 teams and look to make the teams slightly bigger to accommodate the 4 teams. Play 5 minute games with 2 points per basket
| Court 1 | Court 2 |
| 1 v 2 | 3 v 4 |
| 1 v 3 | 2 v 4 |
| 1 v 4 | 2 v 3 |
Teaching Points:
- No contact (we can only intercept the pass)
- No travelling – you cannot run without bouncing the ball. If you are caught running with the ball in your hand, this will be given as a sideline to the opposition
- Double dribble – As you are bouncing with the ball, if you stop and catch the ball, you can only pivot and either shoot or pass. You are not allowed to then start dribbling again. A sideline to the opposition is awarded.
- We want to see the children finding space to receive the pass from the person with the ball
- We would like to see the defending team marking players from the opposition team
Key Questions:
- Can someone name a rule in basketball?
- If your team mate has the ball, how can we help them? – Look for space in front of them to receive the ball
- When defending, what should be the first thing that we do? – Look for an opponent to mark and head towards our own basket
- How do we show respect to others in the game?
National curriculum links:
- Using throwing, catching, running and jumping in combinations
- Playing competitive basketball games with others, applying basic principles for attacking and defending
Social/environmental links:
- Learning to respect others
- Showing encouragement & compassion
- Being able to follow instructions and rules
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