Basketball Lesson 1

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Learning Outcomes

LO1: Engage as session assistants by organizing and explaining station exercises, demonstrating leadership and responsibility.
Key Skills: Communicating, Working with Others, Managing Myself

LO2: Perform a structured warm-up sequence (mobility drills and activation exercises) accurately and safely.
Key Skills: Staying Well, Being Creative

LO3: Execute shooting drills at Station 1, including pass reception, shooting technique, and footwork for rebound.
Key Skills: Managing Myself, Staying Well

LO4: Demonstrate pivoting skills in 1 vs 1 drills (Station 2), maintaining balance, orientation to the basket, and adherence to pivot-foot rules.
Key Skills: Managing Myself, Managing Information and Thinking

LO5: Apply offensive and defensive 1 vs 1 techniques (Station 3), controlling space, maintaining possession, or executing steals within defined boundaries.
Key Skills: Staying Well, Being Creative, Managing Information and Thinking

LO6: Participate in small-sided games (2 vs 1 progression and 3 vs 3 matches), applying learned skills, self-officiating, and displaying sportsmanship.
Key Skills: Working with Others, Communicating, Staying Well

Curriculum 🇮🇪

Junior Cycle Physical Education
Strand: Games
Key Skills: Staying Well; Working with Others; Managing Myself; Communicating; Being Creative

Target Group

Junior Cycle students (ages 12–15)

Duration

1 hour

Success Criteria / Quick Assessment

Correct technique: Students perform core skills (shooting, pivoting, ball‐control) with correct technique and consistency during drills.
Application in Play: Learners effectively transfer those skills into small‐sided games, making accurate passes, scoring attempts, and maintaining defensive positioning.
Teamwork & Sportsmanship: All participants communicate respectfully, self‐officiate fairly, and assistants lead their stations confidently, ensuring a positive, safe environment.

Differentiation Strategies

EAL/SEN Learners: Additional Pivot Steps
Allow up to 4 or 5 pivot steps instead of the standard 3. By relaxing the footwork rule, students can focus on catching and throwing technique first, then tighten it back to 3 steps as their confidence grows.

Assistants

During the warm-up, three volunteers will be asked to help. They will serve as your assistants throughout the lesson. Each assistant will be assigned to one of the circuit stations and will be responsible for organizing and explaining the exercises.

You can reward these students with a positive note to their parents using your school’s communication system. In my case, I usually record a positive comment through the VSware platform.

Warm up

Se reúne a los alumnos en círculo.

Se contará hasta 5 de 1 en 1 en alto. Cuando todos hayan contado 5 se cambia de ejercicio (si la clase es muy numerosa 1 o 2). Ejercicios:

Jumping Jacks.
Split Jacks.
Predator Jacks.
Zancada hacia delante.
Zancada haca atrás.

Circuit

Station 1: Arrows

Setup: Form a single file line. Place two cones at either side of the basket. One player begins at the first cone, the rest in line facing the basket.
Action: The first player in line passes the ball to the player at the cone, then moves to the opposite cone. The receiver shoots, retrieves the rebound, and returns to the end of the line.
Focus: Shooting technique, footwork, rebound control

Station 2: Pivoting Drill

Setup: Form a line; place a cone near the basket with one attacker and one defender at the cone.
Action: The attacker receives the ball at the cone, pivots to face the basket, then chooses to drive or shoot. After the play, roles rotate: passer → attacker → defender → line.
Focus: 1 vs 1 play, pivot foot usage

Station 3: 1 vs 1 Control

Setup: A marked square; two players each with a ball inside the square.
Action: Players attempt to steal the opponent’s ball without leaving the square. A player loses if they step out or lose control of their ball.
Focus: Ball control, defensive pressure

Station 4: Weave 2 vs 1

Setup: Gather all teams; form three lines at one baseline.
Action: Perform a weave (“trenza”) drill up to mid-court. The middle runner at mid-court becomes the defender in a 2 vs 1 attack back to the baseline. Teacher signals start and keeps the pace brisk.
Focus: Passing on the move, transition defense in 2 vs 1

Game Situation

Setup: Four courts (or two courts plus one rest area), with either four teams playing simultaneously (one team per court) or three teams rotating (two on court, one resting). Assign teams and designate resting order.
Action: Teams play timed scrimmages (e.g. 5-minute games). When time’s up, the resting team swaps in for the next match. Continue rotations so every team experiences both play and rest. Encourage self-officiating, with captains calling fouls and turnovers.
Focus:
- Applying circuit-drilled skills (shooting, pivoting, passing under pressure) in real-game scenarios
- Team communication and on-court decision-making
- Maintaining Spirit of the Game: self-officiating, respect, and fair play

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Download the lesson in PDF

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