- Definition
Defence is when players try to stop the other team from scoring points or goals.
In basketball, playing defence means guarding an opponent to prevent them from getting a clear shot at the hoop.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Defence is like playing keep-away, where your job is to stop the other person from getting the ball.
Ask your child: In a game, what's your best move to stop someone from scoring?
Common mix-up: Kids sometimes think defence just means chasing the ball. Smart defence is about positioning yourself to block an opponent or protect your goal area.
Examples
- In soccer, defenders work together to keep the other team from getting near their net.
- In capture the flag, the players who guard their own flag are playing defence.
defence is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
