Ayrton Oneill
Teaching basketball in physical education classes is a great way to develop students' fundamental basketball skills and ignite a desire to join a school team. It is a classic sport that most Phys Ed programs teach, and it requires very little setup and preparation. Teachers can start by having students discuss the rules of the game and then move on to teaching specific skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, offensive and defensive strategies, and foul shots. There are also many variations of passing and shooting games that can be played in PE classes, such as PIG or Instant Replay, where students take turns shooting and then try to copy each other's shots. Teachers can also use technology, such as instant replay apps or follow-the-leader videos, to help students self-assess their performance and improve their skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Equipment | 1 basketball per student, 4 cones (1 red, 1 orange, 1 green, 1 blue) |
| Rules | Students discuss and share the rules they know, then play 3-on-3 basketball, calling their own violations |
| Teaching style | Teacher walks around the area, encouraging students to keep their heads up |
| Drills | Dribbling, pivoting, triple-threat, crossovers, shooting, passing |
| Games | "PIG", Smackball, Feed the Frogs, Building Dribblers, Card Sharks Basketball Passing, Dribbling Beanbag Transfer, Bottle Cap Basketball, Basketball Golf, Basketball Chest or Bounce Pass Peer Assessment |
| Student engagement | Use of technology, such as instant replay apps and follow-the-leader videos |
| Timing | Teach during March Madness when students are excited about basketball |
| Skill level | Adapt for different skill levels, from elementary to middle school |
| Preparation | Requires little preparation and setup |
| Benefits | Develops fundamental basketball skills, improves physical activity |
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What You'll Learn
Passing and shooting skills
Passing and shooting are foundational skills in basketball, and there are many ways to teach them in a PE class. Here are some tips and activities to help students develop these skills.
Passing Skills
Passing is a fundamental skill in basketball, and there are several types of passes that students can learn. Start with the basics, such as the chest pass and the bounce pass. Demonstrate and explain the technique for each pass, emphasizing the importance of control and accuracy. You can use visual aids, such as videos or diagrams, to help students understand the mechanics of each pass.
To practice passing, try activities such as:
- Card Sharks Basketball Passing: Use a deck of cards to practice chest and bounce passes.
- Dribbling Beanbag Transfer: This activity helps students learn to keep their eyes up while dribbling and passing.
- Bottle Cap Basketball: Students can practice their bounce passes by trying to knock over bottle caps or pennies with the pass.
- Passing Relay Race: Divide the class into teams and have them pass a basketball down the line, with the last person dribbling and shooting (as seen in the Pass, Dribble, Shoot, Score game).
- Peer Assessment: Have students work in pairs and assess each other on their chest and bounce pass technique using a printed or digital assessment sheet.
Shooting Skills
Shooting is often the skill that students are most excited to learn. Start by teaching them the basics of shooting form, such as the B.E.E.F. shooting cues. Demonstrate and explain the technique, emphasizing the importance of balance, eye contact with the target, and follow-through.
To practice shooting, try activities such as:
- Basketball Golf: Set up a course in the gym with targets (poly spots) for students to shoot at. They can practice their shooting accuracy and technique while navigating the course.
- Free Throw Practice: Have students take turns shooting free throws, with the rest of the group retrieving rebounds. Each student gets two turns to maximize their makes.
- Knockout: After practicing layups and free throws, introduce this game, which combines these skills.
- Four-Point Play: In this strategic and fast-paced game, students work in pairs to dribble and pass the ball towards a goal, attempting to make a shot. If they miss, they rebound and try again. If they make it, the next pair takes their turn. The team with the most points wins.
- Hula Hoop Challenge: If you don't have an adjustable hoop, hang a hula hoop over the rim as a target. Students can aim for the hoop or the basket, with different point values for each.
Modifications and Variations
It's important to modify activities based on the skill level and age group of your students. For younger students, you might need to lower the hoop or use smaller balls, like Gatorskin balls. You can also bring in videos of NBA players practicing basic skills to engage more advanced students and emphasize the importance of fundamentals.
Add fun twists and variations to your drills to keep students engaged and challenged. You can also incorporate assessments to log different types of basketball data, such as free throws made or shots attempted. Finally, consider ending your unit with a tournament, such as a 3v3 or 5v5, to let students apply their passing and shooting skills in gameplay.
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Ball handling and dribbling skills
To begin, students should learn the fundamentals of dribbling with their dominant hand, such as striking the ball with control and moving with it. Teachers can demonstrate and explain the basics of dribbling, emphasising the importance of keeping the head up, dribbling below the waist, and using both hands.
Next, students can practise dribbling in a dynamic environment by playing a game where they must dribble around an area while protecting their ball and knocking away others' basketballs. This game will help them develop control and an understanding of space.
Once students have a grasp of the basics, they can be introduced to more advanced dribbling techniques, such as the reverse dribble, where they pull the ball back and hop or shuffle to create space from a defender. Teachers can line up students on the baseline and give verbal cues for different types of dribbles, such as "crossover," challenging them to switch dribbles immediately without stopping.
Ball handling, on the other hand, involves integrating dribbling with passing and decision-making. It requires knowledge of the game and can be improved through drills and game-like situations. One drill, "Drop and Catch," helps students develop quick hand exchanges. They hold the ball between their legs, drop it, and then catch it with the opposite hand before it hits the ground.
Additionally, teachers can incorporate the Follow the Leader style of warm-up to reinforce footwork and dribbling skills. This involves students dribbling and following the teacher's or leader's movements, reinforcing the fundamentals of basketball.
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Rules of the game
Basketball is a team sport played between two teams, each with five players. In PE classes, however, there will be a maximum of four players per team. The game is played on a rectangular court with a hoop at each end, elevated 10 feet above the ground. The aim is to score points by throwing the basketball through the opponent's hoop. Each basket is worth two points, with free throws worth one point.
Before starting the game, students can be divided into groups and given two minutes to discuss as many rules as they know. They can then share these rules with the class.
When teaching basketball, it is important to consider the grade of the students, the size of the ball, the height of the hoop, and the size of the teams. For younger students, the goals can be lowered, and smaller balls, such as GatorSkin balls, can be used.
To start the game, students can play rock, paper, scissors to decide which team gets the ball first. Each team then stands on one side of the free-throw line to match each player to their opponent. The team that starts with the ball checks it to the other team by bounce passing, and the game begins once the ball is returned.
During the game, players must dribble the ball by bouncing it with one hand while moving both feet. If they stop dribbling, they can only move one foot, which is called 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, as this is an "illegal dribble" or "double dribble". Players must also keep the ball in bounds, and if the ball goes out, the last person to touch it passes it to the other team from outside the court.
Offensive players cannot go back into the backcourt once they have crossed the halfway line, and defensive players must not foul. A foul is defined as gaining an unfair advantage through physical contact, such as touching the offensive player to cause them to lose the ball or miss a shot.
To end the game, a tournament can be held, with students playing 3-on-3 basketball and demonstrating their understanding of the rules.
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Offensive and defensive strategies
Offensive Strategies
A well-designed offensive system provides structure and direction for a team. It helps players make quick decisions, create scoring chances, and keep the defence guessing.
The Motion Offense emphasises constant player movement, passing, and screens to create open shots. This flexible strategy keeps the defence off-balance and creates scoring opportunities.
The Pick and Roll is a versatile play that can create mismatches and open shots. It involves a player setting a screen (the "pick") for the ball handler, who then moves past the screen (the "roll").
The Triangle Offense, made famous by Phil Jackson and Tex Winter, is built around post play, isolations, ball screens, and post splits. It gets its name from the triangles formed with the post and perimeter players and can be very successful if players have a high basketball IQ.
The Fast Break capitalises on quick transitions, turning defensive stops into scoring opportunities. It requires speed, good decision-making, and teamwork.
The Princeton Offense is different from the classical setup. The center is located at the top of the key, with the remaining players outside the three-point line. This creates space for a lay-up and confuses the defence with constant passes.
Defensive Strategies
The saying "defence wins championships" highlights the importance of a good defensive strategy.
The Man-to-Man Defense is a fundamental concept where each defender guards one opponent. It teaches great on-ball defence, including moving your feet, staying on your toes, and anticipating the right position.
Zone Defence Strategies, such as 2-3 or 1-3-1, add versatility to the defensive playbook. They can disrupt opponents' offensive schemes and create challenges for them to overcome.
Coaches should emphasise the habit of active hands and arms to deny opponents easy opportunities. This enhances individual defensive capabilities and contributes to a cohesive team defence, making it harder for the opposing team to execute their plays.
Additionally, understanding opponents through scouting reports is crucial. Coaches should encourage players to memorise these reports, which outline opponents' strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. This knowledge helps defenders anticipate and react effectively, disrupting the opposition's offensive strategies.
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Footwork and pivoting
Footwork Fundamentals
To begin, students should understand the importance of footwork in basketball. Footwork is not just about speed, but also about starting and stopping, changing direction, and maintaining a good stance. Students should be instructed to place their weight on the balls of their feet, with their feet shoulder-width apart and their knees flexed. Their head should be centered above the lower body, with hands at chest height, elbows bent, and arms close to the sides.
Pivoting Basics
Next, students can learn about pivoting, which is a key aspect of footwork. The ball handler can move one foot, known as the "pivot foot," as long as the other foot remains in contact with the ground. The pivot foot should only touch the floor with the heel and the area across the toe, allowing players to maintain a low, balanced, and powerful position. It is important to keep the head up and eyes forward, bending the knees for stability.
Drills for Practice
To help students get used to the motion of pivoting, try the following drills:
- Place a piece of tape on the court for each player. Ask them to stand on the tape with both feet in the triple-threat position. Then, have them pivot in different directions, keeping one foot planted on the tape. This drill helps build balance and coordination.
- Practice the jump-stop, where both feet land simultaneously, and the weight leans backward to slow momentum. After the jump-stop, students can pivot and choose either foot as their pivot foot.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to teach basketball in PE a few weeks before school team tryouts, so students can develop their skills and decide whether they want to try out for the team. Another good time is during March Madness when students are already excited about basketball.
Students should be taught basketball-specific skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, offensive and defensive strategies, and foul shots.
Basic equipment includes basketballs, cones, and an adjustable basketball hoop. For younger students, smaller balls such as 6” gatorskin balls or 7” mini basketballs are more suitable.
Teachers can use skill cards, videos, and demonstrations to teach skills. Activities can include modified games such as "PIG" or "Knockout," and drills such as partner passing or lay-up practice.
Teachers can assess students by observing their performance during games and asking them to call their own violations. Verbal quizzes and custom metrics, such as free throws made, can also be used to evaluate students' understanding and progress.
