Positional awareness to defend
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can mark players and deny space in different positions.
Key learning points
- Move: tracking alongside your opponent, staying close to them, makes it difficult for them to get free.
- Think: using open vision to look at where the opponent is and where the ball is equires focus.
- Think: the fibula and tibia form the lower bones of the leg.
- Feel: concentration is needed to track as a defender.
- Connect: observing how an attacking opponent moves, can inform a defender's response.
Keywords
Goal line - the boundary line at both ends of the court running parallel to the net
Goal defence (GD) - the player allowed in centre and their own defensive goal third and their goal circle to defend shots
Goal keeper (GK) - the player allowed in their own shooting circle and their defensive goal third to defend the GS
Common misconception
Defending in netball is mainly a role when your opponent has the ball.
Defending occurs in all positions and each player needs to track their opponent to try to deny them the opportunity to receive a pass.
Teacher tip
The lesson focusses on defence, however the activities are suitable to revisit previously learnt attacking skills and positional understanding.
Equipment
1 netball between 4, position bibs
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which area can GA and GS be in to shoot?
Q2.Where should the non shooting hand be when shooting?
Q3.What skill can be used if a shot is unsuccessful?
Q4.What body part bends during shooting to add power?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a bone in the lower leg?
Q2.What is the aim of a defence in all positions?
Q3.Where should the arms be when marking the ball?
Q4.What is the name of the skill to stay with your opponent in a game?
To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Positional awareness to defend, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Positional awareness to defend, 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: basic tactics to overcome opponents through netball unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.