Andrew Pace
Basketball is a great sport to teach in physical education classes because it can be adapted to all skill levels and ages. It allows students to practice and develop several important manipulative and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing | Start the unit in March to coincide with March Madness and the buzz around basketball. |
| Resources | Use printable resources, videos, and follow-the-leader packs. |
| Equipment | Basketballs, cones, hula hoops, and an app to make teams. |
| Warm-up | 3-4 minutes of Follow the Leader skills, keeping eyes up and copying the teacher's moves without looking at the ball. |
| Fundamentals | Remind students of the importance of working on the fundamentals of the game. |
| Rules | Explore and improve understanding of the rules through discussion and written exercises. |
| Games | Bump/Knockout, Dribbling Beanbag Transfer, Bottle Cap Basketball, Basketball Golf, and more. |
| Skills | Dribbling, passing, shooting, footwork, rebounding, ball handling, etc. |
| Groups | Groups of 3, with students allowed to choose their own groups. |
| Assessment | Formative assessment, peer assessment, and self-assessment. |
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What You'll Learn
Ball handling and dribbling skills
Ball handling and dribbling are fundamental skills in basketball, and there are many fun and engaging ways to teach them to students. It is important to begin by introducing the concept of striking the ball with control and then moving on to dribbling with control.
You can start by showing a video of professional basketball players, such as the Globetrotters, to emphasise the importance of practising the fundamentals of the game. This can be a great way to get students excited about learning ball handling and dribbling skills.
Next, you can introduce some basic ball handling drills, such as Slaps, Taps, Wraps, Flips, and Flops. These drills can help students improve their overall basketball skills and can be practised at home with any type of ball. After teaching these drills, a fun warm-up activity is to have students play "Follow the Leader." In this game, students try to copy the teacher's ball handling moves without looking at the ball, working on keeping their eyes up. This can be modified for younger students as needed.
When students are ready to move on to dribbling, it is important to emphasise that the primary purpose of putting the ball on the floor is to get a lay-up. Students should be encouraged to work on lengthening their dribble and getting opportunities with just one dribble. They can also practise dribbling in combination with stretching exercises, such as the Hamstring Stretch and Lower Body and Achilles Stretch.
Finally, once students have developed a feel for the ball, they can practise their ball handling and dribbling skills in competitive, game-like situations with defenders present. This will help them transfer their skills into actual gameplay.
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Passing and shooting skills
Passing and shooting are essential skills in basketball, and there are several ways to teach them to beginners. It's important to start with the basics and gradually increase the difficulty as students develop their skills. Here is a suggested lesson structure and some tips for teaching passing and shooting skills in a PE class:
Lesson Structure
- Warm-up: Begin with a quick warm-up of around 3-4 minutes. This can be a fun ""Follow the Leader" activity, where students copy the teacher's ball-handling moves without looking at the ball. This can be modified for younger students.
- Passing Practice: Start with simple bounce passes, and then progress to chest passes for students who demonstrate control in passing and catching. Use a YouTube video demonstration, such as one featuring NBA players, to engage the students and emphasize the importance of fundamental skills.
- Shooting Cues: After passing practice, introduce or review shooting cues, such as the B.E.E.F. method. Provide students with some practice time to apply these cues.
- Game: Finish the lesson with a fun game like "Hot Spots," which can be adapted for students of all levels by adjusting the goals or using shorter wall-mounted goals.
Tips for Passing and Shooting Skills:
- Passing: Encourage students to focus on accuracy and consistency. Emphasize that even a few successful passes do not guarantee mastery of the skill. Mentally challenging them to hit their target every single time will improve their passing skills and confidence.
- Shooting: Great shooters are valuable to any team, and developing good shooting form and technique is essential. However, remind students that perfection is not the goal. Encourage them to find a style that is comfortable and effective for them.
- Dribbling: Confidence in dribbling comes with practice. Encourage students to dribble anytime they can, even outside of practice. Remind them to use proper techniques, such as fingertip control, flexible wrist movement, and keeping the ball low.
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Modified games
Dribbling Pirates
This game helps students focus on their dribbling skills and encourages them to maintain an athletic stance with an arm bar up and dribbling below the waist. Set up four cones to create a large rectangle and provide each student with a basketball. The students dribble inside the designated area, attempting to knock out other students' balls while keeping their own ball under control. There is no elimination; if a student's ball is knocked out, they simply chase after it and re-enter the game. However, if an elimination round is desired, students whose balls are knocked out can stand around the perimeter. To increase activity, periodically shrink the size of the rectangle. In an elimination round, the last student remaining in the center rectangle with their ball wins.
Bump or Knockout
This classic schoolyard game helps students practice shooting under pressure, taking foul shots, and shooting from around the court. Students line up in a single file behind the foul line, and the first two students in line are given basketballs. The first student shoots, and as soon as they do, the second student shoots as well. If the first student makes their shot before the second student, they rebound their ball, pass it to the next person in line, and join the end of the line. This game can be played with or without elimination rounds.
Non-Dominant Hand Challenge
Divide the class into four teams and have two teams play against each other on one court. Students play a traditional basketball game but with a twist: they must dribble and shoot with their non-dominant hand. This challenge helps develop flexibility and can be quite frustrating for students, so it's recommended to switch between dominant and non-dominant hands in intervals.
Team Mix-Up
Have the students form groups of three, allowing them to choose their own group members. Then, number the groups and form new teams by mixing the original groups. For example, teams 1 and 8 can play together against teams 3 and 7. This way, students get to play with and against different classmates, fostering collaboration and camaraderie.
Station-Style Activities
Set up various stations around the gym or playing area, each focusing on a specific skill or aspect of basketball. For example, one station can focus on ball handling and dribbling, another on passing, and another on shooting. Students rotate through the stations, practicing and refining their skills. This approach helps keep students engaged and allows for differentiated instruction, catering to different learning styles and skill levels.
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Footwork drills
Footwork is an essential aspect of basketball, and proper footwork can support a player's overall performance on offense and defense. Here are some footwork drills that can be incorporated into a basketball unit for PE:
Jump Stops and Pivots
Start with the basics of jump stops and pivots. A jump stop is a fundamental skill in basketball that allows players to quickly change directions while maintaining control of the ball. It involves jumping and landing on both feet simultaneously, coming to a stop. This can be combined with a front pivot or reverse pivot, where the player turns their body and feet in the desired direction while keeping the ball protected.
Tates Locke Box Drills
Tates Locke, a renowned basketball coach, developed a series of footwork drills that players should practice during every workout. These drills focus on offensive moves and start with the player on the low block, spinning the ball and catching it with a jump stop on the high post. These drills help players master essential movements that will improve their overall game.
Follow the Leader
This drill is a fun and interactive way to practice footwork and ball-handling skills. The teacher demonstrates various ball-handling moves, and students follow along without looking at the ball, focusing on keeping their eyes up. This drill helps students improve their footwork and peripheral vision.
Dribbling and Shooting with Non-Dominant Hand
This drill challenges students to dribble and shoot using only their non-dominant hand. It helps develop flexibility and ambidexterity. Students play in teams and use their non-dominant hand for a set time before switching to their dominant hand. This drill can be frustrating for students, so it's important to provide encouragement and emphasize the importance of developing both hands.
Bump or Knockout
This classic schoolyard game helps students work on shooting under pressure and taking foul shots. Students line up in a single file behind the foul line, and the object is to knock out other students' balls while keeping their own ball under control. If a student's ball is knocked out, they can re-enter the game by chasing after their ball. This game teaches footwork and movement around the court while also working on shooting skills.
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Rules and regulations
To start a basketball unit for PE, it is important to establish the rules and regulations to ensure fair play and student safety. Here are the key rules and regulations to follow:
Number of Players and Positions
Each team typically consists of five players on the court, but in PE, there may be a maximum of four players per team to allow more students to participate.
Starting the Game
The game can begin with a simple game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine which team gets the ball first and which team wears the coloured pinnies or sashes. Each team then stands on one side of the white line or free-throw line to match each player with their opponent. The team with the ball ensures they are ready, and the game begins when the ball is passed to the opposing team.
Dribbling and Ball Movement
Players must dribble the ball with one hand while moving both feet. If they stop dribbling, they can only move one foot, known as the pivot foot. Players are not allowed to dribble with two hands or place both hands on the ball and continue dribbling with one hand, which is called an "illegal dribble" or "double dribble". After dribbling, players can only start dribbling again after another player from either team touches or gains control of the ball.
Fouls and Violations
A foul is any illegal physical contact, such as blocking or an illegal pick/screen. It is a violation if the ball goes out of bounds, and it is then passed to the opposing player. If there is no clear possession, the referee may decide through a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Goaltending is also a violation, where a player touches the ball while it is travelling downward towards the basket or if it is on the rim.
Scoring and Winning
The winner of a basketball game is the team with the most points at the end of playing time. Points are scored by throwing the ball through the opponent's basket. A basket made within the three-point line is worth two points, and a basket made from outside the three-point line is worth three points. Free throws, which occur when a player is fouled, are worth one point.
Game Duration
A standard basketball game is broken into periods, with each period lasting a certain amount of time. For example, in the NBA, each quarter is 12 minutes, while in other regulations, the game is divided into four 10-minute periods with 2-minute intervals between them. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, overtime periods are played until a winner emerges.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some activities to teach basketball fundamentals:
- Ball Handling and Dribbling: Use a video demonstration, then have students practice dribbling with their own ball, weaving through cones.
- Passing and Shooting: Use a video of NBA players to teach passing, then review shooting cues and play a game like Hot Spots.
- Dribbling Beanbag Transfer: Students learn to keep their eyes up while dribbling by transferring a beanbag.
- Bottle Cap Basketball: Students practice bounce passes using bottle caps or pennies.
- Bump/Knockout: Students work on shooting under pressure in this classic schoolyard game.
- Basketball Golf: Set up a course in the gym to help students practice shooting.
- Follow the Leader: Students copy the teacher's ball-handling moves without looking at the ball.
You will need at least one basketball per student. Other equipment includes cones, hula hoops, and apps or videos for demonstrations and scoring.
Start with the basics and build up skills gradually. Use a variety of activities and games to keep students engaged and improve their competence and motor skills. End with a tournament to apply what they've learned.
