Marking and defending
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can track my opponent and select and apply 3 stages of defending in a game context.
Key learning points
- Move: by making your body as tall and big as possible when marking, you will close down your opponents vision and space.
- Move: maintaining quick feet while tracking your opponent is the quickest way to stay with them.
- Think: when marking a player, consider where the ball is and what stage (1 -3) of defence is required.
- Feel: staying with your opponent and going for an interception requires persistence.
- Connect: showing respect for your opponent by maintaining a 3ft distance will avoid giving away a penalty pass.
Keywords
Stage 1 defence - tracking the player to prevent them from receiving the ball
Stage 2 defence - marking the player with the ball, observing the 3ft obstruction rule
Stage 3 defence - restricting and delaying an opponent's movement to get the next pass
Interception - regaining possession of the ball from the opposing team during a pass
Common misconception
Each defender can only mark 1 attacker.
Netball positions are paired, however the competitive situation will determine if players swap, if they double mark and which stage of defence they need at that point.
Teacher tip
The lesson focuses on defence, however the activities are ideal for revisiting the attacking skills in previous lessons and we want pupils to see the connection between than all.
Equipment
netball (1 between 4), ideally 2 court spaces, netball posts (4), 4 sets of team bibs
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the maximum number of seconds a GA/GS has to shoot the ball once received?
Q2.Which method of landing is used by shooters to keep a defender behind them?
Q3.What is it called when you gather the ball after an unsuccessful attempt at goal?
Q4.Which of the following positions will not be permitted in the defending circle?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which stage of netball defence involves restricting and delaying a player's movement?
Q2.Which stage of netball defending involves marking the player with the ball to gain an interception?
Q3.What is it called when you tip or catch the ball to regain possession in netball?
Q4.What are you demonstrating by maintaining a 3ft marking distance in netball?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Marking and defending, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Marking and defending, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Non-examined assessment: netball practical unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.