Unit Plan 10 (Grade 5 PE): Basketball — Offense & Defense

Focus: Develop dribbling under pressure, smarter passing decisions, simple give-and-go offense, and strong man-to-man defense by teaching students to keep spacing on offense and stay between their player and the basket on defense.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Physical Education (Invasion Games • Ball Handling & Team Play • Offense & Defense)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students build basketball understanding through small-sided games and skill tasks that connect dribbling, passing, movement, and defense. The unit begins with dribbling under pressure through 1v1 shadow work and quick change-direction-on-cue drills so students learn to protect the ball while keeping their eyes up. Students then apply those skills in 3v3 or 4v4 basketball with simple offensive spacing rules and man-to-man defense. Throughout the unit, students practice making better choices about when to dribble, when to pass, how to use a simple give-and-go, and how to defend by staying between their player and the basket while remaining active for most of class.

Essential Questions

• How can I keep control of the ball when a defender is close and putting pressure on me?
• How do spacing and give-and-go help a team create better scoring chances?
• What does good man-to-man defense look like in basketball?
• How can I make smart choices about when to dribble, pass, cut, or shoot?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Throw and catch accurately in game-like situations, including passing to moving teammates under defensive pressure.
2. Dribble with improved control, changing speed and direction to protect the ball and create space.
3. Combine basketball skills in sequence, such as dribble → pass → cut → receive → shoot or defend → recover → help → rebound.
4. Move to open space on offense and adjust position on defense to support safe and effective team play.
5. Apply basic offensive strategies such as spacing, give-and-go, and passing to open teammates instead of forcing crowded plays.
6. Apply basic defensive strategies such as man-to-man defense, containment, and staying between a player and the basket.
7. Stay engaged in moderate-to-vigorous activity for most of class through active participation in warm-ups, skill tasks, and small-sided games.

Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.5c – Throwing & Catching with Accuracy under Pressure Throw (overhand and underhand) and catch different objects accurately over a variety of distances while both the thrower and receiver may be moving or defended.
  • Example: In small-sided handball or basketball-style games, students lead teammates with accurate passes and catch under defensive pressure.
• PE:S1.5d – Kicking, Dribbling & Ball Control in Game Play Dribble, pass, and shoot a ball with the feet using both dominant and non-dominant sides, adjusting speed, direction, and force in game contexts.
  • Example: Students maintain control while dribbling through defenders in a soccer game, then pass or shoot accurately at appropriate times.
• PE:S1.5f – Combining Multiple Skills in Game Sequences Combine multiple skills (dribble, pass, catch, strike, run, dodge, jump, shoot) fluently and appropriately during game-like sequences.
  • Example: In a modified invasion game, a student dribbles to space, passes to a teammate, cuts toward the goal, receives a return pass, and shoots.
• PE:S2.5a – Space Awareness & Positioning in Team Games Consistently move to open space on offense and adjust positioning on defense to support team play and maintain safety.
  • Example: In 4v4 games, students spread out on offense to create passing lanes and reposition on defense to protect key areas of the court or field.
• PE:S2.5d – Offensive Strategies: Creating & Using Advantages Apply basic offensive strategies such as creating numerical advantages, give-and-go, using screens, and selecting high-percentage scoring opportunities.
  • Example: In 3v3 basketball or handball, students set simple screens, drive to draw a defender, then pass to an open teammate for a better shot.
• PE:S2.5e – Defensive Strategies: Marking, Containment, & Help Defense Apply defensive strategies including marking a player, maintaining proper body position, containing attackers, and providing help defense.
  • Example: Students stay between their assigned player and the goal, communicate switches, and step in to help when a teammate is beaten on defense.
• PE:S3.5a – Sustained Participation in Moderate-to-Vigorous Activity Participate actively and continuously in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for significant portions of class without frequent off-task behavior.
  • Example: During fitness circuits or small-sided games, students remain engaged and moving, minimizing standing time between turns.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can dribble with control when a defender is near me and change direction to protect the ball.
• I can make better passing choices by finding open teammates instead of forcing the ball into traffic.
• I can use give-and-go and spacing to help my team create better shots.
• I can stay between my player and the basket and defend without reaching or fouling.
• I can stay active and involved for most of class by moving on offense, hustling back on defense, and rejoining play quickly.