Defending to stop the opposition's attack
I can defend (mark) effectively in a game situation to prevent the opposition from creating attacking opportunities.
Defending to stop the opposition's attack
I can defend (mark) effectively in a game situation to prevent the opposition from creating attacking opportunities.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Move: marking involves being close to the attacker and staying positioned between the player and the ball.
- Move: defending well requires us to mark opponents by standing tall with arms ready to move up or out to stop a pass.
- Think: it’s important to evaluate and improve our marking technique to reduce scoring opportunities for our opponents.
- Feel: when trying to defend and win the ball back, it is important to play within the rules and show self-discipline.
- Connect: taking responsibility to ensure all our teammates are marking an opponent demonstrates excellent leadership.
Keywords
Defender - the player or person responsible for preventing the opposition (attackers) from scoring
Opponent - a person who is on an opposing side in a game
Marking - closely guarding our opponent to prevent them from receiving the ball or from passing the ball to others
Common misconception
When defending in a game situation, pupils tend to follow the ball which closes up the space and leaves other players unmarked.
Remind pupils that they need to stay close to the player they are marking and be prepared to intercept the ball when it is passed to their opponent.
To help you plan your year 4 physical education lesson on: Defending to stop the opposition's attack, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 physical education lesson on: Defending to stop the opposition's attack, 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 2 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: maintaining possession and stopping an attack through basketball unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
1 basketball between 2 pupils, 30+ floor markers, 30+ cones
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
