Adapted version of traditional Basketball Cian Kiely Wicket-basketball Adapted version of traditional Basketball Cian Kiely

NOTE: To change images on this slide, select a picture and delete it. Then click the Insert Picture icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. Wicket-basketball is an adapted version of basketball with the emphasis placed on inclusion of more students than a traditional game of basketball.

Description of Wicket-basketball Wicket-basketball takes on the traditional rules of basketball for the most part, but there is an added dimension to the game. A normal game of basketball is played with an added dimension of an extra ball and extra targets to score points off. There are four sets of wickets placed in the four corners of the basketball court. Along with trying to score baskets in the regular basketball hoops, both teams must also try knock down the opposing teams wickets using the wicket-ball. Both teams will have two sets of wickets that they must try to protect. Both the basketball and the wicket-ball are in play at the same time as each other.

Wickets The picture displays the wickets that are placed in the four corners of the court. These are standard wickets that you would use when playing cricket. These are self-standing wickets so they can be placed upon any basketball court - indoors or outdoors. The aim is to throw the wicket-ball at these wickets and to knock the bails(piece on top of the wickets) off the wickets. Wickets were chosen as they are a low target so the wicket-ball should not be launched at speed at head height which could be a health and safety issue.

Wicket-ball The picture displays a wicket-ball. A wicket-ball is a standard dodgeball. A dodgeball was chosen as the wicket-ball as it can be easily distinguished from the basketball during the game due to its colour, weight, size and texture. A dodgeball was also chosen as the wicket-ball as it is the appropriate weight for throwing at speed and also it should not hurt an individual if the ball comes in contact with them.

Court Layout The court for wicket-basketball is the same as a standard basketball court but with the exception of a set of wickets in all four corners of the court. = the position of a set of wickets on the basketball. = cones placed on the ground creating a 1 meter perimeter around the wickets which cannot be entered by any player on the court. Each team must protect their two sets of wickets.

Rules Regular basketball rules apply with the addition of certain new rules in regards to the number of players playing, and the wickets and wicket-ball. There are eight players on the court per team at a time ( three more players per team than the traditional 5 in basketball). The increase in players on the court at once allows for the teams to have two defenders back to protect their wickets. Any player on the court can interact with either the basketball or the wicket- ball at any time during the game, the two are played simultaneously. When in possession of the wicket-ball, the player cannot move, they can only pivot to create space to throw the ball. They can pass possession of the ball to another teammate by throwing the ball to a teammate.

Rules continued There is no kicking of the wicket-ball allowed during the game, only throwing. The wicket-ball can be retrieved by either interception or if it spills on the ground then either team can gain possession of it- there is no contact allowed. Any fouls to a player in possession of the wicket-ball and that player will be rewarded with possession from the sideline. They can restart the play by throwing the wicket-ball to a teammate. A score is received when one team throws the ball off the opposing teams wickets and knocks the bails off the wickets. This is a score and the team is rewarded 3 points for hitting the wicket. If a player hits the wicket with the wicket-ball but the bail doesn’t fall off then it is not counted as a valid score and play continues.

Rules continued Once a team scores three points for knocking the bail off the wicket, the player who scored the points must reset the wickets and then the team who's wicket was just knocked, gets possession of the wicket-ball from the end line. This is how the wicket-ball is brought back into play. The team who gets first possession of the wicket-ball is determined by whichever team scores the first points with the basketball. Then that team gets to take possession of the wicket-ball from their own end line while the opposing team takes possession of the basketball in from their own end line. One player cannot be in possession of the basketball and the wicket-ball at the same time. If this occurs then possession of both balls must be handed over the opposing team. If the wicket-ball goes out of play, the possession goes to the team that didn’t knock the ball out of play. They take it in from the sideline.

Rational The aim for Wicket-basketball is to include more students than a traditional game of basketball. The traditional game of basketball only has 5 players per team on the court at once. Many schools in Ireland have only one basketball court in their school and this results in many students sitting and waiting on the side of the court for a chance to play. Through playing Wicket-basketball, it gives more students a chance to play at once. The added element of the wickets on the court and the second ball allows for more students to be placed on the court and not idle standing there waiting for a pass. The rule of players not being allowed to move while in possession of the wicket-ball ensures that the ball is passed around and all players get involved.

Rational It involves the added challenge for the players to have to distinguish between the two different balls and the two different rules associated with the different balls and make decisions on the spot.

Rational NCCA (2012) outlines the 8 key skills that students must learn during the junior cycle curriculum. Through playing wicket-basketball, students will work on : Managing Myself- They can set goals and targets to achieve while playing the game. Staying well- Through playing wicket-basketball, the students are engaging in physical activity and staying healthy. Communication- Students must communicate with other members on their team during the game to tell them when to pass and when they are being marked. Working with others- Wicket-basketball is a team sport so the students will learn how to work as part of a team and how to function as part of a team.

Rational NCCA (2016) Outlines how games is one of the strands in the junior cert P.E short course. NCCA(2016) states that for invasion games, students must use a wide range of movement skills and strategies effectively to enhance their performance. I believe that through playing wicket-basketball, students can display a range of different fundamental movement skills and implement different strategies to enhance their performance.

Fundamental Movement Skills Some of the FMS that the students will develop through playing wicket- basketball are: Running Throwing Pivoting Catching Jumping Dodge Evade

Progressions for game To progress the game and make it more challenging, students could be given two opposite corners as their wickets to protect. In the picture, this is displayed by the two black “X”’s. This creates a situation where students aren’t only scoring in one side of the court and only defending in the other side.

References NCCA ( 2012). Key skills of Junior Cycle. Dublin, NCCA. NCCA (2016). Short course physical education, specification for junior cycle. Dublin, NCCA