Balance Ball 

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

1. Create boundaries for a large activity area with cones.
2. Scatter spot markers throughout the area.
3. Each student to a spot marker with a ball and a bean bag.

Activity Description

1. 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.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. Prompt students to dribble continuously in self-space while balancing the bean bag.
3. 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

Wall Passing

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

1. Tape target cards to the wall at the same height as the students’ shoulders.
2. Each student with a ball, standing approximately 5 feet away from a target.

Activity Description

1. 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.
2. Let the ball bounce 1 time on the floor and then catch it with your hands.
3. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Driver’s Test

by Neetu | Jun 10, 2020 | Sports

Aim

 Ball dribble with one hand while walking in general space.

Equipment Required

4 large cones, 1 basketball per 2 students, 1 spot marker per 2 students

 Play Area Set-Up

1. Create boundaries for a large activity area with cones.
2. Scatter spot markers throughout the area.
3. Pair students, scattered throughout the area.
4. One student on a spot and the other with a ball.

Activity Description

1. The partner with the ball is the driver. The partner on the spot is the driving instructor. When I say, “GO!” the drivers are going to dribble throughout the activity area, working hard not to cause a crash.
2. Driving instructors will watch their drivers. On the stop signal, give the driver’s thumbs upgrade if the driver follows the cues we’ve learned in class. (See grade level progressions for specific criterion.)
3. After all, drivers have received their grades, switch roles and begin on the start signal

 KEY TEACHING POINTS – Dribble with Finger Pads, Waist High, Eyes Alert, Make Quick Looks

 Grade Level Progression

1. Drivers dribble in self-space (at their spots) with 1 hand and make more than 1 consecutive dribble.
2. Drivers dribble continuously in self-space using finger pads.
3. Drivers dribble continuously while walking in general space, using finger pads with each dribble waist-high.

Challenges & Modifications

• Prompt students to take a driver’s test dribbling with the non-dominant hand Use foam balls to decrease anxiety and increase student confidence.
• Continue to work on a bounce and catch with students having difficulty dribbling

Bounce & Catch

by Neetu | Jun 10, 2020 | Sports

Aim

 Demonstrate & develop accuracy while catching (eyes on the ball, fingers apart, catch with hands)

Equipment Required

4 large cones, 1 basketball per student

 Play Area Set-Up

1. Create boundaries for a large activity area with cones.
2. Students scattered throughout the area in self-space with a ball.

Activity Description

1. It’s time to Bounce and Catch with an added challenge!
2. When I say, “GO!” everyone will begin bouncing and catching their basketballs. While you’re practicing, I’ll be going around to each student and challenging you to catch a ball that I bounce to you.
3. Keep practicing until you hear the stop signal.

 KEY TEACHING POINTS – Eyes on the Ball, Fingers Apart, Catch with Hands, Show Hands, Eye Contact

 Grade Level Progression

1. The prompt student to get their hands ready for the ball in order to catch a soft bounce pass.
2. Prompt students to “show hands,” working to catch the ball with hands, rather than trapping it against their body.
3. Choose a skilled and responsible student to help you make well-thrown bounce passes to fellow students. Prompt those students practicing Bounce and Catch on their own to try and add a clap (or several claps) before each catch.

Challenges & Modifications

• Pair students so they can pass back and forth, working toward a mature bounce pass.
• Use foam balls to decrease anxiety and increase student confidence.

7 Dribbles

by Neetu | Jun 10, 2020 | Sports

Aim

 Understand differences between self-space and general space while moving safely through general space

Equipment Required

4 large cones, 1 basketball per student, 1 bean bag per student

 Play Area Set-Up

1. Create boundaries for a large activity area with cones.
2. Scatter bean bags throughout the activity area.
3. Balance a basketball on top of each bean bag.
4. Each student standing next to a bean bag and ball.

Activity Description

1. It’s time to play 7 Dribbles. Each basketball is perfectly balanced on a bean bag. When I say, “GO!” pick up the ball next to you and dribble it 7 times.
2. After 7 dribbles, balance the ball back on the bean bag and then move to a new ball to make 7 more dribbles. Continue until you hear the stop signal

 KEY TEACHING POINTS – Dribble with Finger Pads, Waist High, Eyes Alert, Make Quick Looks

 Grade Level Progression

1.  Dribbles do not have to be consecutive. Students can bounce and catch if dribbling is too difficult.
2. Dribbles consecutively with the dominant hand.
3. Alternate dominant and non-dominant hands with each new basketball

Challenges & Modifications

• Add 7 jumping jacks (or other exercises) after each set of dribbles.
• Decrease the number of dribbles/bounces to 1-6.