Shooting Skills Practice

Overview

In this 45-minute session for Year 9 students, learners will develop fundamental basketball shooting techniques focusing on balance, hand positioning, and follow-through. Through individual practice and structured peer feedback, the session will reinforce a whānau (family) environment that supports wellbeing and learning, linking to te whare tapa whā—emphasising physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.

Curriculum Links

Health and Physical Education Learning Area (NZC):

• Achievement Objectives:

  • Movement Concepts and Motor Skills: Demonstrate and transfer movement skills and concepts in a variety of physical activities and contexts.
  • Relationships with Other People: Work collaboratively with others, contributing to group goals and supporting others’ learning.
  • Personal Health and Physical Development: Understand how physical activity contributes to wellbeing.

• Key Competencies:

  • Managing Self: Students take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour.
  • Relating to Others: Communicating and interacting sensitively, supporting and respecting peers.
  • Participating and Contributing: Collaborating productively in groups and teams.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand and perform effective basketball shooting form.
• Demonstrate improved shooting technique through practice.
• Give and receive constructive peer feedback in a respectful, supportive manner.
• Appreciate the role of collective support (whānau) in physical and social wellbeing.

Resources and Equipment

• Basketballs (ideally one per student or shared in pairs)
• Basketball hoops at varying heights for differentiation
• Cones or markers for shooting positions
• Whānau values poster or banner to display
• Feedback checklists for peer review (simple prompts)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Warm-up (7 minutes)

• Gather Students: Briefly remind them of last lessons' learning emphasis on teamwork and the connection to wellbeing.
• Explain Lesson Focus: Shooting techniques and practising in pairs with supportive peer feedback.
• Dynamic Warm-up: Jog around the court, plus arm circles and wrist stretches to prepare for shooting.

2. Demonstration: Proper Shooting Technique (8 minutes)

• Teacher demonstrates key points:
  • Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
  • Grip: Guide hand and shooting hand positions.
  • Shooting Motion: Smooth upward motion, eyes on the target.
  • Follow-through: Wrist flick and fingers pointed towards the hoop.
• Invite 2-3 volunteers to demonstrate to explore different skill levels.
• Emphasise ‘whānau’ concept: supporting each other’s progress and wellbeing.

3. Individual Practice with Peer Feedback (20 minutes)

• Students work in pairs.
• One shoots from marked spots, the partner observes.
• Use simple feedback prompts:
  • “What did they do well?”
  • “What could they improve?”
• Swap roles after 10 minutes.
• Teacher circulates, giving affirmations and guiding feedback.

4. Group Reflection and Connection (7 minutes)

• Regroup for whole-class circle.
• Students share one positive thing they noticed in their partner’s shooting.
• Link this to te whare tapa whā:
  • Physical (taha tinana): improving movement skills.
  • Social (taha whānau): supporting peers.
  • Mental and Emotional (taha hinengaro): being encouraging and learning from feedback.
  • Spiritual (taha wairua): feeling connected and valued in the group.

5. Cool-down and Lesson Close (3 minutes)

• Gentle stretching focusing on arms and legs.
• Remind students where this skill fits in the unit and what next lesson will explore.
• Brief motivational words reinforcing teamwork and wellbeing.

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Cultural Responsiveness

• Bicultural Foundation: Acknowledge the significance of whānau and community wellbeing (te whare tapa whā) in Māori perspectives. Ensure that the learning environment reflects respect for these values by fostering inclusiveness, manaakitanga, and collective responsibility.
• Multicultural Inclusivity: Recognise and value all students’ backgrounds, encouraging varied communication styles during peer feedback and respecting all contributions.
• Safe Learning Environment: Explicitly foster manaakitanga — hospitality and care — making sure every student feels a sense of belonging and engagement.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Monitor student engagement with the peer feedback process; scaffold feedback for sensitive and constructive dialogue.
• Adjust shooting distances to cater for varying skill levels ensuring challenge and success.
• Encourage students to connect physical skills practice with holistic wellbeing, reinforcing how physical activity supports all four dimensions of health in te whare tapa whā.
• Use observation and discussion to inform next steps in skill development and confidence building.

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This lesson builds on existing knowledge while actively connecting physical skills with holistic wellbeing frameworks unique to New Zealand education, creating an inclusive and supportive learning experience for Year 9 students.

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If you would like, I can help develop the other lessons in this unit or provide printable peer feedback sheets and warm-up activities specific to basketball skills.