Skip to main content

Lesson A: Indoor Orienteering

"Today we will be finding our way on a basketball court"

Time30-60 minutes
SpaceGym with basketball court
MaterialsCheckpoints, Basketball court maps (half-court and full-court versions), Cones (optional, for marking boundaries)
SetupPlace checkpoints according to the all-checkpoints map
VocabularyOrient the map, Landmark, Route choice

Activities

readiness

Find the Cone

Stand next to the cone shown on your map; orient your map.

Goals

Orienteering Goals
  • Orient a map using the court's line markings as landmarks
  • Use the map to plan a route between checkpoints
  • Navigate in a confined, structured space
PE Standards (SHAPE America)

Standard 2: Movement & Fitness Concepts

  • Applies movement concepts and strategies for safe movement within dynamic environments (2.5.1). Students orient maps using court line markings and navigate between checkpoints in a confined gym space.
  • Demonstrates problem-solving strategies in a variety of games/activities (2.5.5). Students plan routes between checkpoints and figure out their location when they visit the wrong checkpoint.

Standard 3: Social Skills

  • Uses communication skills to negotiate roles and responsibilities in a physical activity setting (3.5.2). Partners agree on routes and take turns navigating during Basketball-O.
  • Demonstrates respectful behaviors that contribute to positive social interaction in group activities (3.5.3). Students help fellow students by giving hints and teaching them how to read the map.
  • Demonstrates safe behaviors independently with limited reminders (3.5.4). Students navigate independently in a busy gym, avoiding collisions with other pairs on the court.

See PE Standards alignment for the full framework.

Delivery

  1. Boundary Run: run the boundary of the court and warm up
  2. Find the Cone: pair up, orient the map using the court lines, stand next to the cone shown on the map
  3. Basketball-O: agree on the route, visit each checkpoint in order; compare the code to confirm the correct checkpoint
  4. Do the course individually several times to increase speed
  5. Do the course in reverse order and without a map
  6. Help fellow students by giving hints and teaching them how to read the map

Reflection

  • How could you tell the difference between checkpoints?
  • What shortcuts between checkpoints did you find?
  • If you were at a wrong checkpoint, how did you figure out where you needed to go?

Extensions

  • Students may only travel along the lines of the basketball court
  • Add obstacles: students may not pass any place marked with a red "X"
  • Pacman-O: play line tag while completing courses