Basketball - Lesson 3

In the third lesson of a Year 4 basketball series, students aim to grasp the basics of passing a basketball effectively. The learning objectives set out clear goals for the pupils, which include mastering the chest and bounce pass, catching the ball confidently, calling for a pass, and presenting a clear target for the passer by opening their hands. The key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms such as 'bounce pass', 'chest pass', 'receive', and 'accuracy', which are essential for understanding the techniques being taught. To facilitate the lesson, the necessary equipment comprises a class set of basketballs, cones, and five large bins or boxes for a cool-down activity.

The session begins with a warm-up where pupils explore different ways to manoeuvre the ball around their bodies, such as over the head, around the waist, and through the legs, in synchronization with a partner. The main part of the lesson focuses on passing, starting with the chest pass, where the teacher demonstrates how to generate power from the legs while stepping into the pass. Pupils then practice this with a partner, aiming for accuracy over distance. They also work on the bounce pass, which is useful for both close-range and distant passing, avoiding interception by bouncing off the ground. Pupils discuss when to use each type of pass and practice in small circles, incorporating sprints and pass variations, with an extension activity introducing an element of interception. The lesson concludes with a cool-down activity named 'In The Bin', where pupils aim to throw the ball into a bin, fostering teamwork and reinforcing the skills learned during the lesson.