by Neetu | Jun 10, 2020 | Sports
Aim
- Maintain control on body and basketball while dribbling
Equipment Required
14 large cones, 1 basketball per 2 students, 1 spot marker per 2 students
Play Area Set-Up
- Create boundaries for a large activity area with cones.
- Scatter spot markers throughout the area.
- Pair students, scattered throughout the area.
- One student on a spot and the other with a ball.
Activity Description
- Now that you’ve taken your driver’s test, it’s time for a speed challenge.
- When I say, “GO!” players with a ball will dribble from spot to spot, collecting knuckle-bumps from the other players who are standing on spots. You must continue your dribble while you collect knuckles. Freeze when you hear the stop signal.
- You’ll have 2 minutes to collect as many knuckles as you can and then we’ll switch. How many total knuckles can you and your partner collect before the stop signal?
KEY TEACHING POINTS – Soft Knees, Finger Pads, Top of the Ball, Eye Over the Ball and Alert
Grade Level Progression
- Play the activity as it is written above.
- Introduce a signal for changing dribbling hands and/or speed.
- Choose 1 or 2 students to act as defenders, working to force dribbling errors by adding defensive pressure.
Challenges & Modifications
- Add a pass. Students make a bounce pass to classmates standing on spots before collecting a knuckle bump.
- Allow students to pick up their dribble while collecting knuckle bumps.
by Neetu | Jun 10, 2020 | Sports
Aim
- Demonstrate dribble with both right and left hands, using the skill cues learned
- Discover challenges faced when dribbling with my non-dominant hand
Equipment Required
4 large cones, 1 basketball per student
Play Area Set-Up
- Create boundaries for a large activity area with cones.
- Students scattered throughout the area in self-space with a ball.
Activity Description
- We’re going to work on our ball-handling skills with a series of dribbling exercises. I’ll demonstrate the exercise and then you’ll practice it. When you hear the stop signal, place the basketball between your feet, and watch me for the next demonstration.
- Dribbling Exercises:
- 3-high dribbles, 3-low dribbles, switch hands and repeat
- Continuous crossovers
- Dribble right hand – travel and touch 2 walls, dribble left hand – travel and touch 2 walls
- Sit and dribble right hand, sit and dribble left hand
KEY TEACHING POINTS – Soft Knees, Finger Pads, Top of the Ball, Eye Over the Ball and Alert
Grade Level Progression
- Students complete each challenge with both right and left hands.
- Students complete each challenge with a signal for changing speeds.
- Students create skill drills and challenge classmates to match their performances.
Challenges & Modifications
- Prompt students to learn new challenges at home by watching dribbling instructional videos on YouTube. Each student will then come in and teach the class what they’ve learned.
- Focus on controlling the ball with the dominant hand only.
by Neetu | Jun 10, 2020 | Sports
Aim
Dribble the basketball using the skills cues/skill cards
Equipment Required
4 large cones, 1 basketball per student
Play Area Set-Up
- Create boundaries for a large activity area with cones.
- Students scattered throughout the area in self-space with a ball.
Activity Description
- We’re going to start working on our dribbling skills with an instant activity called Dribble Triathlon.
- As soon as you come into the activity area, get a basketball and complete the following events: 33 right-hand dribbles, 33 left-hand dribbles, 33 crossover dribbles.
- If you make an error while you’re dribbling, start from where you left off.
- When you’re finished, do arm curls using your basketball as a weight
KEY TEACHING POINTS – Soft Knees, Finger Pads, Top of the Ball, Eye Over the Ball and Alert
Grade Level Progression
- The instructional focus is on deliberate practice, reciting skill cues when appropriate.
- Focus on skill refinement and control. Students demonstrate cues with a few reminders.
- Add a walk or jog to the routine with students dribbling in general space
Challenges & Modifications
- Students with mature dribbling skills can now work on speed with accuracy. How fast can they dribble while keeping complete control of the ball?
- Students complete all 3 sets with the preferred hand
by Neetu | Jun 10, 2020 | Sports
Aim
Continuously dribble basketball through different challenges
Equipment Required
4 large cones, 1 basketball per student, 1 bean bag per student, 1 sport marker per student
Play Area Set-Up
- Create boundaries for a large activity area with cones.
- Scatter spot markers throughout the area.
- Each student to a spot marker with a ball and a bean bag.
Activity Description
- Are you up for a Balance Ball challenge? We’re going to practice dribbling with one hand while we balance a bean bag on top of the other hand.
- Put the bean bag on your hand. When I say, “GO!” begin dribbling and continue until you hear the stop signal.
KEY TEACHING POINTS – Body is Steady, Dribble with a Push from Arm and Fingers
Grade Level Progression
- Scaffold this activity by introducing the bean bag task without any attempt at dribbling. Prompt students to move in different ways while balancing the bean bag. With advanced K students, you may be able to introduce a dribble.
- Prompt students to dribble continuously in self-space while balancing the bean bag.
- Prompt students to alternate dominant/non-dominant hands. Challenge students to dribble continuously while walking in general space.
Challenges & Modifications
- Change the body part used to balance the bean bag and/or experiment with multiple bean bags.
- Allow students to simply hold on to a beanbag in one hand while dribbling with the other
by Neetu | Jun 10, 2020 | Sports
Aim
- Passing the ball to the wall target using a force that is safe for everyone.
- Ability to differentiate a strong pass and a light pass
Equipment Required
1 basketball per student, 1 target card per student
Play Area Set-Up
- Tape target cards to the wall at the same height as the students’ shoulders.
- Each student with a ball, standing approximately 5 feet away from a target.
Activity Description
- It’s time to work on our passing and catching with a Wall Passing game. When I say, “GO!” you’re going to pass the ball and hit the target. The ball is going to bounce back quickly, so be ready.
- Let the ball bounce 1 time on the floor and then catch it with your hands.
- In order to stay safe, make sure you’re far enough away from the wall so that the ball can bounce in between you and the target. Keep practicing until you hear the stop signal.
KEY TEACHING POINTS – Thumbs Behind Ball, Fingers Spread, Step to Target, Push with 2 Hands, Eyes on the Ball, Fingers Apart, Catch with Hands
Grade Level Progression
- Keep passes soft by having students use a two-handed underhand toss. Focus on controlling the force of each toss and catching after 1 or 2 bounces.
- Introduce chest-passing cues, keeping the focus on controlling force, and maintaining a safe distance from the wall. Every ball should bounce on the floor before it’s caught.
- Reinforce chest-passing cues and catch with the hands.
Challenges & Modifications
- Play a game of Target Practice. Students will pass to a target, catch after a bounce, and then dribble to a new target.
- Use low-bounce foam balls or deflated basketballs to limit the speed of return bounces
