Find the Pivot 4-on-4

Three back-court attackers and a pivot, who works between the defenders near the 6-meter line, try to get the ball to the pivot or use the gaps the pivot opens. Students build court vision, learn the pass to the pivot, and practice defending it.

How to play

1. At each goal: four attackers (three at 9 meters and a pivot in a different colored pinnie), four zone defenders, a goalie, and a group of four waiting.
2. Explain the pivot's role in 2 minutes: set up behind or between two defenders, show a target hand, and turn to shoot.
3. Each attack lasts 20 seconds. Pivot goal, 3 points; back-court goal after a pass from the pivot, 2; any other goal, 1.
4. Defenders try to front the pivot and deny the pass; each steal earns the defense 1 point.
5. Rotate every 2 minutes: attack to defense, defense to active rest, and the waiting group attacks. Everyone plays pivot at least once.

Rules

• The pivot may not stay inside the 6-meter goal area.
• One dribble per player per possession.
• Safety: battling the pivot for position is trunk to trunk, with no holding or arm pushing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays back court with a defender who may not steal, or plays goalie.
• Autism: use a whiteboard to show where the pivot stands and what they do before playing.
• Fitness level: students with less stamina start in the back court, which runs less.

Learning goals

• Spot the moment the pivot gets open.
• Feed the pivot with a bounce pass or over the defender.
• Defend by denying the passing lane to the pivot.

Equipment for a class of 25

• team handballs: 4
• pinnies: 12
• cones: 8
• goals: 2

Teacher tip

Attackers tend to forget the pivot, so ask them to look inside before every pass. Watch the contact between pivot and defenders and keep it clean.

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