Basketball with a Partner

Skill: Catch, Dodge, Dribble, Jump, Run, Throw
Time Required: 10
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Pair, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space)
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the activity area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Equipment: 1 basketball per pair
Objective:
Participants are in pairs and have to follow the instructions and do the set activity when they hear the whistle.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Set up:
Participants will get into partners and each pair will get a basketball.
Use the whole gym for this activity, or as much space as possible.
Step by Step:
1. Have pairs spread out around the activity space.
2. Partners want to be close to each other, but not too close. Explain to participants that in a game it's important to spread out and get open for a pass and to not stand too close to your teammate.
3. Also, remind participants to always be aware of their surroundings and to keep their heads up and be aware of other participants.
4. The activity will begin with the participants dribbling the basketball around the activity area, and their partner running and staying close to them, but not too close.
5. When the leader blows the whistle, the participants will stop and listen to the instruction.
6. If the leader says, "Bounce pass", then participants will bounce pass the ball to their partner. When the partner receives the ball, they will continue dribbling around the activity space with their partner staying close to them.
7. Other options are:
- Chest pass to their partner
- Bounce pass to their partner
- Pivot in one full circle and pass to partner (remember when pivoting, to keep one foot on the ground at all times)
- Dribble using their non-dominant hand
- Switch hands after every dribble
- Shoot (they will stop, jump and shoot the ball to their partner, or have them shoot on a net)
- Defense! (their partner will run and try to steal the ball from them)
Variations:
Each participant has their own basketball, and the instructions will not involve passing or defense, but will involve pivots, dribbling in different ways, turning, and so on.
Have leaders or other participants around the activity space who will try to intercept passes. Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment): For the participant who is blind or visually impaired, try to provide as much space as possible so that they can move freely without fear of colliding with others and so that they may more easily track the sound of their ball. Adaptations (Cognitive/Learning Impairment): Explain instructions and the set activities clearly. Try to remain patient with participants who may not initially comprehend the set activities. Provide extra instructions and allow for additional time and / or modifications if needed. Adaptations (Deafness/Hearing Impairment): Use hand signals to indicate to participants who are deaf or hard of hearing the set skill (e.g., chest pass, bounce pass, pivot).
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.