Basketball Activity Guide

Activity Overview

An illustration of a boy playing basketball

Basketball in Key Stage 2 Primary PE introduces pupils to essential ball-handling, movement and shooting skills, gradually building towards confident small-sided gameplay. Early lessons often focus on controlling the ball while stationary and on the move, using a range of passes, and developing accuracy with simple shooting drills. As pupils progress through Year 3 through 6 they learn to combine skills such as dribbling under pressure, passing while moving, creating space and shooting. Typical KS2 activities include paired passing routines, dribbling challenges, small shooting stations, and 3v3 or 4v4 games that allow pupils to apply skills in realistic but manageable situations.

Below you’ll find key information on Basketball, a free Key Stage 2 lesson plan, and a range of resources suitable for teaching basketball confidently throughout Key Stage 2.

Key Basketball Information

Age Range

Basketball is taught to children in Key Stage 1 through our Attack Defend Shoot units and at Key Stage 2 through our Basketball units.

❌ Foundation/Reception

✅ Key Stage 1

✅ Key Stage 2

Basketball Rules

Simplified basketball rules provide a gentle introduction to full gameplay. Our simplified rules document has everything you need to know, and is available as a downloadable PDF file.

View Basketball Rules

Basketball Glossary

Our basketball glossary provides a comprehensive guide to the naming conventions and terms used in Primary PE / KS2 Basketball. This glossary is available as a downloadable PDF file.

View Basketball Glossary

Free Basketball Lesson Plan & Unit of Work

Year 3 Basketball

Perform some basic basketball skills, throwing, catching and dribbling. Build attacking/offensive play. Implement some basic rules of basketball.

View

Year 3 Basketball Lesson 4

Create space and opportunities to take a shot in basketball
Use a two-handed technique to perform a basketball shot
Assist teammates in a game to shoot

We are learning: to perform a two-handed shot to score baskets. Activity: Half-court game, turns over when team score.

View

Paid Subscriber Content

At the The PE Hub, we offer 24 basketball lesson plans, covering the whole of Key Stage 2. Lesson Plans are grouped into manageable units of work and designed to make it straightforward to teach basketball to KS2 pupils.

All our lesson plans come with detailed downloadable resources as standard. We have more than 50 resources for basketball, covering all the key teaching points and skills used in the versions of the game that are appropriate to teach to KS2 students.

Start Free Trial

Basketball FAQs

Is basketball suitable for Key Stage 2 PE?

Basketball is well-suited to Key Stage 2 because it develops coordination, agility, teamwork and decision-making through accessible, easy-to-adapt activities. Key skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting can be learned with minimal equipment, making basketball a practical option for both indoor and outdoor PE.

What skills can pupils learn in KS2 basketball?

KS2 pupils typically learn to dribble with control, use chest, bounce and overhead passes, shoot with basic technique - e.g. the two-handed shot, and move effectively into space. As they progress, they begin combining these skills, supporting teammates and making simple choices about when to pass, drive or shoot.

What equipment do I need to teach basketball in primary school?

A basic basketball setup includes size 5 basketballs, cones or markers for drills, bibs for team activities and at least one adjustable or lowered hoop. Many drills can be taught without a full-sized court, and portable goals or wall-mounted targets are often enough for KS2 lessons.

How high should basketball hoops be for Key Stage 2 Pupils?

For primary-aged pupils, a hoop height between 2.45m and 2.75m is typically recommended, with 2.6m being the most common. Lowering the hoop helps pupils experience success with shooting, supports correct technique and keeps activities age-appropriate while skills are still developing.