The defensive role
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use defensive strategies to limit space and shooting opportunities in and around the key.
Key learning points
- Move: quick movements and reactions deny time and space when the attacking team come within range.
- Think: being basket side with one hand up and one hand out improves marking on and off the ball.
- Feel: reflecting on your performance enables you to understand the importance of the defensive strategies.
- Connect: working as a team e.g. zone defence, will make the attacking then basket more challenging for opponents.
Keywords
Player to player defence - a defensive strategy where each player is assigned to track and guard an opposing player
Zone defence - players guard areas of the key instead of individual players
Half/full court press - defense is player to player when the offense enter their attacking half of the court/from the baseline
Common misconception
Pupils think that for GCSE assessment. their defence is looked at individually.
In the fully competitive game, part of the assessment is showing an understanding of the different types of defence and which would is best to use depending on the situation of the game.
Teacher tip
Provide pupils time to practice a zone and plan their defensive strategies and the role they will need to do in each one.
Equipment
1 basketball, 5 bibs.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What can be set by a non-handling player to create space?
Q2.How many attackers can stand around the key when a teammate is taking a free throw?
Q3.How many seconds does a player have to take a free throw?
Q4.Which rule is observed by attacking players moving in and out of the key?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.2-3 is an example of which type of defence?
Q2.What could a player shout when they are the nearest defender to the ball handler?
Q3.Which is the correct positioning of the arms and hands when in a defensive stance?
Q4.Which defensive strategy is player to player when the attacking team starts at the baseline?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: The defensive role, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: The defensive role, 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: basketball practical unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.