Footwork and Movement

Overview

This lesson is the second in a six-lesson unit on Netball Skills and Strategy, designed for Year 7 students (ages 11–12). It focuses on developing footwork and movement skills essential for effective netball play. The lessons are designed to align with the National Curriculum for Physical Education (England, KS3 programmes of study), emphasising physical competence, tactical understanding, and personal and social skills through active participation and game-based learning.

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National Curriculum Links

• Key Stage 3
  Pupils should be taught to:
  • Develop and perform skills and techniques with control and consistency.
  • Use their skills in different physical activities and as part of a team.
  • Understand and develop tactics and strategies.
  • Evaluate their own and others’ performance to improve.
• Programme of Study – Physical Education (PE)
  Pupils should be taught to:
  • “Use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination”
  • “Play competitive games and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending.”
  • “Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance.”

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this 50-minute lesson, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate correct footwork techniques used in netball, including pivoting, landing, and changing direction legally.
2. Apply effective movement strategies to improve positioning and support teammates without the ball during game play.
3. Understand and follow the rules about footwork in netball to avoid stepping or foot fouls.

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Success Criteria

Students will be successful if they can:

• Perform pivot moves and foot placement with control and according to netball rules.
• Move into space effectively during mini games to support ball possession.
• Recognise and avoid common footwork infringements during practice games.

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Resources

• Netballs (one per pair ideally, minimum 4-5)
• Cones (at least 20) to mark zones and movement paths.
• Whistle
• Bibs to distinguish teams (5 per team)
• PE hall or outdoor netball court

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Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation
5 mins	Starter: Footwork Rules Recap + Dynamic Warm-Up	Teacher leads a brief discussion on netball footwork rules (pivot, landing, and stepping). Followed by dynamic warm-up focusing on foot and ankle mobility (high knees, side shuffles, quick pivots).	Lower ability: Follow simple dynamic movements only. Higher ability: Add quick pivot changes on command.
10 mins	Skill Introduction and Demonstration	Teacher models basic footwork skills: pivot on one foot, landing safely after a jump, moving into space without the ball. Students practice individually with a ball or on spots marked with cones.	Lower ability: Use cones to guide pivot points and foot placement. Higher ability: Practice with a defender applying passive pressure.
15 mins	Small-Sided Game 1: Footwork Focus	Divide class into 3 teams of 8-9 students. Set up three small netball grids with cones where teams play 3v3 or 4v4 mini games. Emphasis is on footwork and movement rules; teacher stops play to correct foot faults.	Lower ability: Movement paths clearly marked with cones to simplify decision-making. Higher ability: Introduce a “no double pivot” rule to increase challenge and strategic thinking.
10 mins	Small-Sided Game 2: Movement & Positioning	Shift to a 5v5 game on a smaller court focusing on moving into space without the ball. Students must use pivots and movement skills learned to support teammates. Teacher gives live feedback.	Lower ability: Use cones to create lanes for movement. Higher ability: Challenge students to create intercept opportunities using movement patterns.
7 mins	Extension Task for Advanced Learners	Students or pairs design their own movement patterns or footwork drills using cones, then teach or challenge a peer to complete them.	N/A
3 mins	Cool-Down and Reflection	Gentle stretching and short reflection discussion: What did you find tricky about footwork? How will you improve next time?	Support lower ability with guided questions.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Lower Ability: Clear visual aids (cones) to mark movement pivots and paths; simplified rules and slower pace; additional teacher or peer support.
• Middle Ability: Practice with standard drills and games; encouragement to self-correct footwork faults.
• Higher Ability: Add rule variations (e.g., restricted pivot usage), pressure from defenders, and creative movement pattern design for peer challenge.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative: Ongoing teacher observation during partner and small-sided games focusing on pivot technique, foot placement, and movement without the ball. Immediate verbal corrective feedback to develop kinaesthetic awareness.
• Peer Assessment: Students in pairs can observe and provide positive feedback and one area for improvement related to footwork.
• Self-Assessment: At the end of the lesson, students rate their confidence performing pivots and moving without the ball on a simple 1-5 scale and suggest ways to improve.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• Maths: Spatial awareness and measurement (distances between cones, positioning).
• English: Use of precise movement vocabulary (pivot, landing, foot placement) and reflection skills.
• PSHE: Teamwork, communication, and respect when providing peer feedback.

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Teacher Tips

• Use a stopwatch or timer to keep activities tightly timed and maintain high engagement.
• Emphasise safe landings to prevent injury and incorporate short reminders before game play.
• Encourage students to verbalise footwork rules as they practice to embed understanding.
• Use whistles to stop play immediately when a footwork fault is noticed to reinforce rules.

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This lesson offers a fun, game-based approach to learning netball footwork and movement that caters to diverse learners while strictly adhering to the National Curriculum expectations for Key Stage 3 Physical Education.