Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Primary 4
Ball Games
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Nigeria 2025 app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Ball Games
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Nigeria 2025 app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Physical & Health Education
Class: Primary 4
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 10
Theme: Games And Sports
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
Watch on YouTubeSee Facebook postlist the football skills perform the skills in football Perform the skills in tennis demonstrate the position of players on the court perform the skills in basketball list the skills in volleyball perform the skills in volleyball and count points
This section provides detailed explanations of the key ball games and their fundamental skills, suitable for a teacher to deliver the lesson. A. Football Football is a team sport played with a spherical ball between two teams of 11 players. The game is played on a rectangular field called a pitch, with a goal at each end. The objective is to score by moving the ball beyond the goal line into the opposing goal. Players primarily use their feet, but can also use their head and chest. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to use hands within a designated area.
Basic Football Skills: Dribbling: This is the act of running with the ball at the feet, keeping it under control.
Technique: Use the inside and outside of the foot to gently tap the ball forward, keeping it close to the body. Keep the head up to observe teammates and opponents. Alternate feet to maintain control and change direction.
Passing: Sending the ball from one player to a teammate.
Technique (Inside of Foot Pass): Stand side-on to the target. Place the non-kicking foot beside the ball, pointing towards the target. Swing the kicking leg back and strike the middle of the ball with the inside of the foot. Follow through towards the target. This pass is accurate for short to medium distances.
Shooting: Kicking the ball towards the opponent's goal to score.
Technique (Instep Shot): Approach the ball diagonally. Plant the non-kicking foot beside the ball. Swing the kicking leg back, lock the ankle, and strike the ball with the laces (top of the foot). Lean over the ball to keep the shot low. Aim for the corners of the goal.
Trapping/Controlling: Stopping the ball and bringing it under control.
Technique (Sole Trap): When the ball comes, lift the trapping foot slightly and place the sole (bottom) of the foot gently on top of the ball, pressing it to the ground. This stops the ball dead.
Technique (Inside/Outside of Foot Trap): Cushion the ball by moving the foot slightly backwards upon impact with the inside or outside of the foot, allowing the ball to settle.
Heading: Using the head to play the ball, typically to pass, clear, or score.
Technique: Use the forehead to strike the ball. Keep eyes open, neck firm, and propel the body towards the ball. B. Table Tennis (Ping Pong) Table tennis is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight ball back and forth across a table using small rackets (paddles). The table is divided by a net. The game focuses on agility, hand-eye coordination, and quick reflexes.
Basic Table Tennis Skills: Grip (Shakehand Grip): This is the most common grip.
Technique: Hold the paddle as if shaking hands. The index finger rests on the bottom of the rubber, and the thumb rests on the top. The handle should sit comfortably in the palm. This grip allows for flexibility in both forehand and backhand strokes.
Stance (Ready Position): Technique: Stand slightly away from the table, facing it, with feet shoulder-width apart. Knees slightly bent, body slightly leaning forward. Paddle held in front, ready to move in any direction.
Serve: Starting a point by hitting the ball into the opponent's court.
Technique (Basic Forehand Serve): Toss the ball up vertically at least 16 cm high. Hit the ball with the paddle so it bounces once on your side of the table, clears the net, and bounces once on the opponent's side. For a single's game, the serve can land anywhere on the opponent's half. For doubles, it must land diagonally from the right half court to the opponent's right half court.
Forehand Stroke: Hitting the ball on the dominant side of the body.
Technique: Move the paddle back, then swing forward and slightly upwards, making contact with the ball in front of the body. Follow through in the direction of the shot.
Backhand Stroke: Hitting the ball on the non-dominant side of the body. * Technique: Bring the paddle across the body, swing forward and slightly upwards, land anywhere on the opponent's half. For doubles, it must land diagonally from the right half court to the opponent's right half court.
Forehand Stroke: Hitting the ball on the dominant side of the body.
Technique: Move the paddle back, then swing forward and slightly upwards, making contact with the ball in front of the body. Follow through in the direction of the shot.
Backhand Stroke: Hitting the ball on the non-dominant side of the body.
Technique: Bring the paddle across the body, swing forward and slightly upwards, making contact with the ball.
Player Positions on the Court (Table): In singles, each player stands behind their half of the table. In doubles, players rotate after each serve, but essentially cover their respective halves. The ready stance is key for quick movement. C. Basketball Basketball is a team sport played with a ball on a rectangular court. The objective is to shoot the ball through the opponent's hoop, which is an elevated net-backed cylinder. Players mainly use their hands to dribble (bounce), pass, and shoot the ball.
Basic Basketball Skills: Dribbling: Bouncing the ball continuously with one hand while moving.
Technique: Use fingertips, not the palm, to push the ball down. Keep the ball low for control (protective dribble) or higher for speed (speed dribble). Keep eyes up, not on the ball, to survey the court. Bend knees and use the body to shield the ball from defenders.
Passing: Sending the ball from one player to a teammate.
Technique (Chest Pass): Hold the ball with both hands at chest level. Step forward towards the target, extend arms, and push the ball directly to the teammate's chest. Palms face outwards, thumbs point down.
Technique (Bounce Pass): Similar to a chest pass, but aim for the ball to bounce once on the floor about two-thirds of the way to the receiver, reaching them at waist level.
Shooting: Throwing the ball towards the hoop to score. Technique (B.E.E.
F. Method): Balance: Feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, body balanced.
Eyes: Focus on the rim of the basket.
Elbow: Elbow directly under the ball, forming an 'L' shape with the arm.
Follow-through: Extend the arm fully towards the basket, wrist snaps down, fingers pointing at the rim (like reaching into a cookie jar).
Lay-up: A close-range shot, typically taken while moving towards the basket.
Technique: Dribble towards the basket. Take two steps (right-left for right-handed, left-right for left-handed), jump off the inside foot, and gently push the ball off the backboard into the hoop with the outside hand. D. Volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the opposing team's side of the court. Players use their hands and arms to strike the ball over the net. The ball must not hit the floor on a team's side, and each team can touch the ball a maximum of three times before sending it over the net (block does not count as a touch).
Basic Volleyball Skills: Serving: Putting the ball into play from behind the end line.
Technique (Underhand Serve): Hold the ball in one hand in front of the body, waist-high. Take a step forward with the opposite foot. Swing the hitting arm back like a pendulum, then forward, striking the ball with the heel of the open hand or a closed fist. Aim to hit the bottom of the ball to send it over the net.
Passing / Bumping (Forearm Pass): Receiving an opponent's serve or attack using the forearms.
Technique: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, arms extended and locked together in front of the body (hands clasped or one hand fisted into the other palm, thumbs together). Position the body under the ball and let the ball make contact with the flat part of the forearms. Use the legs to drive up and direct the ball upwards.
Setting (Overhead Pass): Using fingertips to direct the ball precisely for a teammate to spike.
Passing / Bumping (Forearm Pass): Receiving an opponent's serve or attack using the forearms.
Technique: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, arms extended and locked together in front of the body (hands clasped or one hand fisted into the other palm, thumbs together). Position the body under the ball and let the ball make contact with the flat part of the forearms. Use the legs to drive up and direct the ball upwards.
Setting (Overhead Pass): Using fingertips to direct the ball precisely for a teammate to spike.
Technique: Position body under the ball. Form a 'triangle' or 'diamond' shape with the thumbs and index fingers above the forehead. Push the ball upwards with all ten fingertips, extending arms and legs.
Spiking / Attacking: Hitting the ball forcefully over the net to the opponent's court.
Technique: A jump, arm swing, and powerful contact with the ball at its highest point, aiming down into the opponent's court.
Blocking: Deflecting an opponent's spike at the net.
Technique: Jump at the net with hands up, fingers spread, to create a barrier against the ball.
Scoring in Volleyball: Volleyball uses Rally Scoring, meaning a point is scored on every rally, regardless of which team served. The team that wins the rally gets a point and the right to serve for the next rally. If the serving team wins the rally, they continue to serve. If the receiving team wins the rally, they get a point and the right to serve (this is called a "side-out"). * A set is typically won by the first team to reach 25 points, with a minimum lead of two points. If the score is 24-24, play continues until one team has a two-point advantage (e.g., 26-24, 27-25).
Phase 1: Introduction and Warm-up (10 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Reviews previous lesson (if any) or introduces the topic "Ball Games" by asking students to name ball games they know.
Leads a general warm-up session: light jogging, arm circles, leg swings, torso twists, stretching (neck, shoulders, hamstrings, quadriceps, calves). Emphasizes the importance of warm-up to prevent injuries.
Student Activity: Responds to questions, participates in naming ball games. Actively engages in warm-up exercises, following the teacher's instructions.
Phase 2: Explaining and Demonstrating Skills (30 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Begins with Football: Explains and demonstrates dribbling, passing (inside of foot), and simple shooting. Uses a football to show the correct technique step-by-step.
Moves to Table Tennis: Explains and demonstrates the shakehand grip, ready stance, and basic serve. If no table tennis table, uses a classroom table or clear desk and uses flat objects (e.g., exercise book, hard cardboard) as paddles and a soft ball or crumpled paper as a ball.
Proceeds to Basketball: Explains and demonstrates dribbling (using fingertips, eyes up), and passing (chest pass, bounce pass). Uses a basketball.
Concludes with Volleyball: Explains and demonstrates the underhand serve and forearm pass (bump). Uses a volleyball (or substitute). Explains the rally scoring system. Throughout, highlights safety precautions and proper posture.
Student Activity: Observes teacher's demonstrations carefully. Listens to explanations and asks clarifying questions. Imitates the demonstrated movements without equipment initially.
Phase 3: Guided Practice and Drills (40 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Organizes students into small groups (e.g., 4-6 students per group) or pairs. Distributes available equipment (footballs, basketballs, table tennis paddles/substitutes, volleyballs). If equipment is limited, sets up rotating stations.
Supervises practice for each skill: Football: Dribbling in a straight line, passing to a partner, soft kicks towards a designated target.
Table Tennis: Practicing grip and stance. Practicing serve against a wall or to a partner across a makeshift table. Shadow practice forehand/backhand strokes.
Basketball: Dribbling in place, walking dribble. Chest pass and bounce pass with a partner.
Volleyball: Underhand serve practice (against a wall or over a low rope/net). Forearm pass drills with a partner, trying to keep the ball in the air. Provides immediate feedback, corrects posture and technique, and encourages good sportsmanship. Reinforces the concept of player positions for Table Tennis.
Student Activity: Practices each skill individually, in pairs, or in small groups as directed. Helps peers with technique where appropriate. Asks for clarification when unsure. Actively participates in all drills.
Phase 4: Wrap-up and Cool-down (5 minutes)
Teacher Activity: Facilitates a brief review by asking students to recall one skill from each game or to demonstrate a skill learned.
Leads a cool-down session: gentle stretches for major muscle groups, deep breathing exercises. Collects equipment.
Student Activity: Recalls and articulates learned skills. Participates in cool-down exercises.
Health and Wellness Promotion: Regular participation in ball games is a fantastic way to stay physically active. This helps combat childhood obesity, improve cardiovascular health, build strong muscles and bones, and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases later in life. In Nigeria, where many children have access to open spaces, encouraging these games can significantly boost public health.
Social Development and Teamwork: Ball games are inherently team-based activities. They teach children invaluable social skills such as cooperation, communication, problem-solving under pressure, respecting rules, and developing sportsmanship. These skills are transferable to classroom group projects, community initiatives, and future workplaces, fostering harmonious relationships within Nigerian communities.
Career Opportunities and National Pride: Exposure to ball games at an early age can spark interest in pursuing sports professionally. Nigeria has a rich history of producing world-class athletes in football, basketball, and track and field. Students learning these skills could aspire to represent their schools, states, or even the nation (like the Super Eagles in football or D'Tigress in basketball), creating pathways to lucrative careers as athletes, coaches, referees, or sports administrators.