Strategy and Decision-Making Games

Strategy and decision-making games where students analyze tactical situations on a whiteboard and then test them on the court. They develop tactical understanding, group communication and the ability to choose the best option in a game.

How to play

1. Setup (4 min): the teacher draws a tactical situation on the whiteboard, for example a 3v2 on offense or breaking a full-court press.
2. Group analysis (6 min): in groups of 5, each group sketches two possible solutions on its whiteboard and picks the best one, explaining why.
3. Court test (10 min): each group runs its solution in a marked area against defenders from another group; repeat 3–4 times and track successes.
4. Second situation (5 min): present a new situation and groups solve and test it faster.
5. Class share (5 min): each group explains what worked, what didn't and what they would change.

Rules

• Respect every idea and debate with reasons.
• Everyone in the group weighs in before deciding.
• On the court, play with no contact and at moderate intensity.
• Switch offense and defense roles on every rep.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: analyst role, directing the play from the sideline and recording results.
• Shyness or autism: whiteboard sketcher role and written ideas before speaking in the group.
• Mixed ability: mixed groups and situations with a numbers advantage for beginners.

Learning goals

• Develop decision-making in game situations.
• Understand basic offensive and defensive tactical principles.
• Communicate and justify ideas within a group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• worksheets: 25
• whiteboards: 5
• dry-erase markers: 5
• balls: 5
• cones: 20

Teacher tip

Pick situations from the sport you're teaching in the current unit so they feel relevant. If there's no court next to the classroom, do the analysis in the gym with portable whiteboards.

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