Advanced defensive strategies and positional play
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can adapt defensive strategies depending on the situation.
Key learning points
- Move: defenders stand tall and reach in towards the ball with one hand, whilst blocking a bounce pass with the other.
- Move: moving as a defensive unit helps to block the ball carrier's path to goal.
- Think: physical contact is part of the game, however you are not allowed to deliberately run into another player.
- Feel: when marking stronger players, or the right hand side where more attacks come, requires increased persistence.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where aren't you allowed to shoot from?
Q2.What is a break?
Q3.Why is it useful to catch a rebound?
Q4.How should the goalkeeper position their arms?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How should you stand to block an attacker shooting the ball?
Q2.Where would you stand when marking an opposing player?
Q3.Which side of the pitch do attackers usually prefer to shoot from?
Q4.What would be useful to do when your team shifts as a unit?
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Advanced defensive strategies and positional play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Advanced defensive strategies and positional play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 3 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: adapt tactics and strategies through handball unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.