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Lesson 4 of 6
  • Year 7

Positional awareness to defend

I can mark players and deny space in different positions.

Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
  • Year 7

Positional awareness to defend

I can mark players and deny space in different positions.

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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: tracking alongside your opponent, staying close to them, makes it difficult for them to get free.
  2. Think: using open vision to look at where the opponent is and where the ball is equires focus.
  3. Think: the fibula and tibia form the lower bones of the leg.
  4. Feel: concentration is needed to track as a defender.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 7 physical education lesson on: Positional awareness to defend, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The lesson focusses on defence, however the activities are suitable to revisit previously learnt attacking skills and positional understanding.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 netball between 4, position bibs

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

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4 Questions

Q1.
Which area can GA and GS be in to shoot?

centre third
goal third
Correct answer: goal circle

Q2.
Where should the non shooting hand be when shooting?

Correct answer: side of ball
under the ball
side of torso

Q3.
What skill can be used if a shot is unsuccessful?

Correct answer: rebound
pivot
interception

Q4.
What body part bends during shooting to add power?

wrists
Correct answer: knees
elbows

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is a bone in the lower leg?

femur
radius
Correct answer: tibia

Q2.
What is the aim of a defence in all positions?

Correct answer: deny
develop
drag

Q3.
Where should the arms be when marking the ball?

by the side
Correct answer: over the ball
to the side

Q4.
What is the name of the skill to stay with your opponent in a game?

Correct Answer: tracking

Additional material

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