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Basketball: Skills, Teamwork and the Game

A complete B1 classroom lesson designed in the EnglishDrills teacher-lesson format.

B150–60 minutesSport & communicationPrintable

Teacher lesson: Look at the title and picture. What do you already know about this topic? Write two ideas, then compare with a partner. Work through the nine panels in order, or choose the sections that suit your class. Teacher answers and the listening script are stored separately.

Teacher Answers Back to Teacher Lessons

1 Lesson Goals

By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:

understand the main ideas and key details in Basketball: Skills, Teamwork and the Game.
learn and use important vocabulary from the lesson.
use the lesson language in speaking or writing.

Start here: What do you already know about this topic? Tell a partner one idea.

2 Reading

Before you read:

Look at the title and picture. What do you already know about this topic? Write two ideas, then compare with a partner.

Basketball is played and watched around the world. A team has five players on the court at one time, and each player has a role. Some players organise attacks, some defend strongly, and others specialise in shooting. During a game, players dribble, pass and move quickly to create space.

Teamwork is essential. A player may be very talented, but a team usually performs better when players communicate and understand each other's strengths. Coaches help teams practise strategies, improve skills and make decisions during timeouts. Referees make sure the rules are followed.

Basketball is also fast-changing. A team can be behind by several points and still recover quickly. If the scores are equal at the end of normal time, the teams play overtime. This combination of speed, skill and cooperation helps explain why basketball is so popular.

3 Vocabulary

Key words: dribble · referee · timeout · rebound · strategy

Write a short meaning or synonym for each word.

dribble –

referee –

timeout –

rebound –

strategy –

4 Check Your Understanding

1. How many players from one team are on the court at one time?

2. Why is teamwork important?

3. What do coaches help players do?

4. What is the referee’s role?

5. What happens if the score is equal at the end of normal time?

5 Language Focus

Complete the sentences with the correct present simple or present continuous form.

1. Right now, the player (shoot) the ball.

2. My brother usually (play) basketball on Saturdays.

3. The referee (blow) the whistle now.

4. Our coach always (help) us practise.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

Listen to your teacher. You will hear the text twice. Answer the questions.

1. Why does the coach call a timeout?

2. What do the players listen to?

3. What happens after the pass?

4. Does the team score?

Speak

Discuss with a partner or small group.

• Would you rather play basketball or watch it? Why?
• Which skills make a strong basketball player?
• Why do team sports require communication?

Basketball: Skills, Teamwork and the Game — Continued

7 Use Your English

Something New

In groups, design a short basketball drill that practises one skill. Explain the drill as if you are the coach and let the class vote on the clearest one.

Write

Write 100–130 words about a sport you enjoy or would like to try. Explain the rules, skills and why people enjoy it.

8 Puzzle or Game

Draw, Mime or Describe

Choose a useful word from this lesson. Do not say the word. Draw it, mime it, or describe it. Your partner has three guesses.

Swap roles and play again with a different word.

9 Success Criteria ✓

Tick each statement when you can do it.

I can explain the main idea of the lesson.
I can use at least three new words correctly.
I can complete the language task.
I can share an idea in spoken or written English.

One thing I am proud of today:

10 Show What You Can Do

Final challenge: Basketball: Skills, Teamwork and the Game

Plan: Note your strongest idea, 3 useful words or phrases, and one supporting detail from the lesson.

Respond: Write a short paragraph of 6–8 sentences, or prepare a 45-second spoken response, showing what you learned.

Reflect: Underline the part of your response that best shows your progress.