Unit Plan 8 (Grade 7 PE): Basketball — Offensive Concepts & Defense

Focus: Develop dribbling with tactical intent, stronger passing-and-cutting habits, and connected team play through screens, give-and-go actions, man-to-man defense, and help-and-recover concepts.

Grade Level: 7

Subject Area: Physical Education

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–55 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this Grade 7 Physical Education unit, students build beyond basic dribbling and shooting by learning how basketball works as a game of spacing, timing, and team decision-making. Instead of relying on one player to dribble for too long or forcing crowded shots, students learn to use the ball to create movement—through passing-and-cutting, give-and-go actions, and a simple screen-and-roll or screen-and-slip concept. On defense, students practice staying connected in man-to-man coverage, helping when a teammate is beaten, and recovering back to their own player quickly. The unit emphasizes that strong basketball is not just about skill execution, but also about reading defenders, moving to open space, and making smart choices with and without the ball. By the end of the week, students should be able to explain how offensive structure creates better chances and how help defense improves team success.

Essential Questions

• How does spacing help an offense move the ball and create better shots?
• When should a player dribble, pass, cut, or use a screen?
• What does effective help defense and recovery look like in 3v3 or 4v4 basketball?
• How can players stay active and useful even when they do not have the ball?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Throw, catch, and receive passes with appropriate accuracy, force, and timing during basketball play.
2. Dribble with control and purpose to attack space, protect the ball, or improve passing and shooting angles.
3. Combine dribbling, passing, cutting, catching, screening, and finishing smoothly during extended small-sided play.
4. Use spatial awareness to maintain offensive spacing, move to open areas, and defend effectively.
5. Adjust the force, angle, and timing of passes, dribbles, and shots based on defensive pressure and court position.
6. Apply simple offensive strategies such as give-and-go, screen-and-roll, and cutting to open spaces.
7. Apply defensive principles such as man-to-man positioning, help defense, recovery, and transition awareness.
8. Stay actively engaged for significant portions of class through warm-ups, drills, and small-sided games.

Standards Alignment — Grade 7 PE (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.7c – Throwing & Catching with Accuracy in Competitive Play Throw and catch various objects with accuracy, appropriate force, and timing in competitive settings, including while defended, moving quickly, or under time constraints.
  • Example: In basketball, a student delivers a chest or bounce pass to a cutting teammate and secures catches while moving under defensive pressure.
• PE:S1.7d – Kicking, Dribbling & Ball Control with Tactical Intent Dribble, pass, and shoot with the feet using both stronger and weaker sides, choosing the type and force of touch based on tactical needs in the game.
  • Example: In basketball, a student uses controlled dribbles to protect the ball under pressure, then changes speed or direction to attack open space.
• PE:S1.7f – Integrating Multiple Skills Fluidly During Extended Play Combine locomotor, manipulative, and stability skills in extended game play, maintaining control and appropriate technique even when fatigued or under pressure.
  • Example: In a full game, a student dribbles, passes, cuts to space, receives, and shoots with appropriate technique while reading defenders and maintaining balance.
• PE:S2.7a – Spatial Awareness & Tactical Positioning in Team Play Demonstrate consistent understanding of space and positioning by adjusting to teammates, opponents, and scoring areas in both offense and defense.
  • Example: In 3v3 or 4v4 basketball, students recognize when to spread the court, cut into open lanes, and recover defensively to protect the basket.
• PE:S2.7c – Adjusting Effort, Force, Angle & Timing to Game Conditions Adapt effort level, force, angle, and timing of passes, shots, serves, and runs in response to defensive pressure, distance, and scoring/placement goals.
  • Example: In basketball, a student uses a softer bounce pass into traffic, a quicker chest pass to the perimeter, or a controlled finish depending on defender position.
• PE:S2.7d – Offensive Strategies: Creating & Exploiting Opportunities Select and apply offensive strategies such as using screens, give-and-go, overlaps, switching fields, and recognizing mismatches to create scoring chances.
  • Example: In basketball, students run a simple screen-and-roll or give-and-go, read the defense, and choose whether to drive, pass, or shoot.
• PE:S2.7e – Defensive Strategies: Marking, Help Defense & Transition Implement defensive principles including marking, staying between opponent and goal, providing help defense, recovering in transition, and adjusting to changes in possession.
  • Example: When the ball drives toward the basket, a nearby defender helps stop penetration, then recovers to their player as the ball moves.
• PE:S3.7a – Consistent Engagement in Moderate-to-Vigorous Activity Participate actively and consistently in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for significant portions of class and show effort to reduce non-active time.
  • Example: During small-sided games and circuits, students stay engaged by moving between plays, participating in all reps, and keeping transitions quick.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can dribble with control and use it to improve my next decision.
• I can pass and catch accurately while moving or under pressure.
• I can use spacing, cutting, and simple screens to help my team create better shots.
• I can play man-to-man defense, help when needed, and recover quickly.
• I can stay active and involved whether I have the ball or not.