Version control: Original 1990/ Updated 1999/ Updated 2003/ Updated 2013/ Updated 2015/ Updated Feb 2023/ Updated Mar 2023/ Updated 2025/ Updated Oct 2026
Introduction
Teachers must follow these Specific sport and physical activity guidelines together with the Sport and physical activity procedures and Supporting tools and resources to meet duty of care and manage risks effectively at the local level.
All teachers delivering sport and physical activity should be familiar with the Concussion information and protocols included in the Supporting tools and resources and have completed the School Sport Unit - Recognising and responding to concussion MyPL online course.
The guidelines support safe, inclusive and compliant sport delivery through:
- weekly school sport
- one-off events or gala days
- the Representative School Sport Pathway.
They outline compliance measures to address inherent risks, offer advice on modifying traditional rules and equipment to reduce risk, and provide guidance on adapting activities to support the inclusion of all students.
Key
The following key indicates the level of teacher qualification required to deliver a specific activity as part of a school sport program:
Note: This key does not determine the WHS risk level for an activity. It may inform local risk assessment as one component of the broader WHS risk management process, as outlined in the WHS Risk Management procedure.
Modified basketballLow risk (Green)
Basketball can be modified to promote safe participation, skill development and inclusion by adjusting rules, equipment and playing conditions. Modifications may include, but are not limited to:
- using a smaller or lighter ball, for example, size 5 or high-density foam style
- lowering the ring to suit players’ ability; the recommended height is 2.43 m or 8 ft
- using a ‘no grab’ rule; not allowing the ball to be stolen from a player’s hands
- adjusting the playing area, participant numbers and other rules to match student ability and to increase involvement and safety
- delivering the activity as a non-competitive program that prioritises skill development, confidence, decision-making and full participation.
Teacher qualifications
There is no additional professional learning/accreditation required for modified basketball.
Permission
Parent/carer permission is not required for students to participate in modified basketball activities that are delivered by teachers on school grounds or within walking distance.
See Permission page for more information.
Equipment
Field of play
- Equipment must be checked prior to use and not used if defective.
- Backboard support posts and walls behind the goal posts which may restrict or interfere with players’ movements must be padded. Similarly, any obstruction that protrudes into run-off spaces should be padded.
Personal safety
- No personal safety equipment is required for modified basketball.
Safety
The ground surface and immediate surrounds must be clear of obstructions, loose objects and obstacles, including equipment, seating and school bags.
Activities must be suitable for safe participation in the clothing, footwear and personal items students are wearing. Jewellery, ornaments and other items likely to cause injury must be removed or secured before participating.
Activities should be adjusted to support participation for students with minor pre-existing injuries or temporary limitations, ensuring the activity remains safe.
Resources
- Sport education teaching resource – basketball
- Playing for life - Basketball companion book
- Basketball Australia lesson plans
BasketballModerate risk (Yellow)
Basketball has the following characteristics:
- ring height at 3.05 m (10 ft) above the ground
- typically includes training for, or playing in, structured match conditions, for example, set court, team numbers, standard scoring and timing rules, officiating and competition rules
- may be played competitively
- as part of an interschool event
- as part of the Representative School Sport Pathway.
Teacher/instructor qualifications and experience
Teacher
There are no mandatory qualifications required for a teacher to deliver basketball. The following course(s) are recommended to strengthen teacher knowledge and confidence, depending on experience and competition level:
Instructor
If a non-teacher is engaged to coach a basketball team or deliver a basketball program, they must have a recognised and current basketball coaching qualification.
Permission
Parent/carer permission is not required for students to participate in basketball supervised by teachers on school grounds or within walking distance.
See Permission page for more information.
Supervision
Supervision ratios must not exceed average class size. Where a non-teacher provides instruction, a teacher must be present for each class-sized group to take overall supervision responsibility and to hold duty of care.
Accompanying teachers must have completed the department’s mandatory Emergency Care training. At least one accompanying teacher must hold current department-approved CPR training.
Officiating should be appropriate for the level of play. Where possible, a suitably qualified or experienced referee should officiate competitive matches, particularly for higher level competition.
Equipment
A first aid kit that meets the checklist in the First Aid Plan, as outlined in the department’s First aid procedure, is required.
Field of play
- Check all equipment before use. Do not use any item that is damaged or defective.
- Ensure rings and backboard structures are stable and securely fixed to prevent tipping or collapse.
- Pad backboard support posts and any walls behind the goal that may interfere with player movement.
- Pad any obstruction that protrudes into run-off areas.
- If using nets, secure them properly to the rings. Do not use metal nets.
Personal safety
- No personal safety equipment is mandatory for basketball.
- Appropriate footwear must be worn. Basketball-specific or court-style sports shoes are encouraged.
- Additional personal safety equipment commonly used in basketball, such as correctly fitted mouthguards, ankle guards or strapping tape, may be worn during training and games, provided it does not pose a risk to other players.
Venues
The playing area and immediate surrounds must be free of obstructions, loose objects and obstacles, including equipment, seating and school bags. The playing surface must be of a suitable and safe standard.
- Pre-activity venue checklists, available in Supporting tools and resources, may assist staff to inspect the venue before the activity.
Spectators must be positioned at an appropriate distance from the playing area.
Safety
Students must be adequately prepared for the level of competition they are participating in and be familiar with event rules and relevant safety requirements.
Teams and individual students participating in competitions or programs not aligned to the NSWPSSA or NSWCHSSA handbooks should follow the corresponding age group format and laws guided by Basketball NSW.
Students must cut or tape long fingernails. Players are permitted to wear gloves that fit tightly around the wrist.
Students must remove jewellery and other ornaments likely to cause injury.
Sun exposure must be managed in line with the department’s Sun safety guidance. Strategies should be appropriate to the event, venue, weather conditions and duration of exposure, including adjustments to activity timing, where required.
Students must not participate or continue to participate if injured. If a teacher or coach suspects an injury, the student must be removed and must not return until fully healed or medically cleared.
If an injury involves bleeding, follow the department’s Infection control procedures.
- Appendix B: Procedures for spills of blood and other body substances
- Appendix C: Procedures for contact with blood or body fluids
Where possible, ice should be available for the treatment of injuries.
Resources
Risk assessment support
Representative School Sport Pathway
*Disclaimer: In line with the NSW Government’s full disclaimer regarding links to external sites, links are provided with the intention of increasing the information available to you and do not imply that the department endorses those websites or the people or companies who own them. The NSW Department of Education has no control over linked websites, and is not responsible for the views, opinions, standards or information expressed on them.