New
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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 9

Advanced defensive strategies and positional play

I can adapt defensive strategies depending on the situation.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 9

Advanced defensive strategies and positional play

I can adapt defensive strategies depending on the situation.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: defenders stand tall and reach in towards the ball with one hand, whilst blocking a bounce pass with the other.
  2. Move: moving as a defensive unit helps to block the ball carrier's path to goal.
  3. Think: physical contact is part of the game, however you are not allowed to deliberately run into another player.
  4. Feel: when marking stronger players, or the right hand side where more attacks come, requires increased persistence.
  5. Connect: good communication from teammates helps with the decision making process when marking a player.

Keywords

  • Close marking - defending very close to assigned attackers to limit movement and options

  • Block - when a defending player uses their body/arms to stop or deflect a shot, or a pass made by an attacker, usually to prevent a goal

  • Shifting - move as a unit to cover spaces and close gaps as the ball moves

Common misconception

Pupils think the only way to defend is to mark 1 player on the opposite team.

Sometimes moving as a unit, where you shift together, can prevent any of the attackers from making a break and getting the ball up the court.


To help you plan your year 9 physical education lesson on: Advanced defensive strategies and positional play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

In the conditioned practices, pupils may focus more on the opportunity to attack and shoot, so you may wish to take that opportunity out and play 'endball' rules instead to focus on the defensive learning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 ball per 2 pupils, 30+ cones, 8 sets of 4 bibs and optional chalk/ 4 x posts.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Where aren't you allowed to shoot from?

Correct answer: inside the D
in attacking side
outside the D

Q2.
What is a break?

when goalkeeper saves
when defender intercepts
Correct answer: attacker runs free

Q3.
Why is it useful to catch a rebound?

free pass
Correct answer: to maintain possession
to waste time

Q4.
How should the goalkeeper position their arms?

narrow
Correct answer: outstretched
low

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How should you stand to block an attacker shooting the ball?

low
Correct answer: tall
narrow

Q2.
Where would you stand when marking an opposing player?

at least 1m
behind them
Correct answer: close to them

Q3.
Which side of the pitch do attackers usually prefer to shoot from?

Correct answer: their dominant side
non-dominant side
left side

Q4.
What would be useful to do when your team shifts as a unit?

Correct Answer: communicate, communicate effectively