Defending to stop the opposition's attack | Physical education

Starter quiz

Where is it best to stand when shooting in basketball?
- by the hoop ✓
- by the defender
- on a line
Which player is mainly responsible for scoring points in basketball?
- the umpire
- a defender
- an attacker ✓
What skills can help outwit an opponent?
- dribbling ✓
- defending
- talking
Which shows self-motivation when shooting?
- powerful shooting
- giving up easily
- striving to improve ✓

When marking a player, what do you need to remember to do?
- chase the ball
- follow your opponent ✓
- move into space
What should you try and do when the ball is passed to the player you are marking?
- dodge it
- tag your opponent
- intercept the ball ✓
What word describes a person who is on the other team in a game?
- 'opponent' ✓
By playing by the rules, what skill are you demonstrating?
- defending
- self-discipline ✓
- shooting

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.

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.

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