Bracket Logic Slides Season 1: Episode 1
BRACKET
BREAKDOWNS
Mastering the Game of Algorithms and Sequencing
Fundamentals
The Digital Playbook
"What is an Algorithm?"
In basketball, a Playbook is a set of instructions for players.
Coding Definition
A step-by-step procedure or set of rules to be followed in calculations or problem-solving.
1
Must be clear and specific.
2
Must have a defined start.
3
Must end with a result.
Order of Operations
Sequencing Matters
In coding, Sequencing is the specific order in which instructions are performed.
Logic Check
"Can you shoot the ball before you catch it? If the order is wrong, the play fails!"
Code Block
layup_sequence.py
1. dribble_to_hoop()
2. pick_up_ball()
3. take_two_steps()
4. jump_towards_rim()
5. release_ball()
Logic & Decisions
Selection (If/Then)
Selection tells the program which path to take based on a condition.
Basketball
IF teammate is open:
PASS BALL
ELSE:
DRIBBLE
Python Code
if open_teammate:
pass_ball()
else:
dribble()
Processing Data
Bracket Logic
How a Bracket Works
01
Input: 64 Teams in a list.
02
Process: Match them up.
03
Selection: High score advances.
04
Loop: Repeat until only ONE team remains.
Final Output
THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION
Challenge Time
Code Your Own Play
Grab your worksheet! You are the Head Coach & Lead Developer. Your mission: write a flawless algorithm for the buzzer-beater.
Clear Sequence
Smart Decisions
Clean Result
Court Code Worksheet Level 1: Fundamentals
COURT CODE
WORKSHEET
NAME:
DATE:
1
Pre-Game Warmup: Matching
A
Algorithm
B
Sequence
C
Selection
A decision-making structure (like IF/THEN) that chooses a path based on a condition.
A step-by-step set of instructions to solve a problem or perform a task.
The specific order in which instructions are executed.
2
The Sequence Foul
This Free-Throw Algorithm is "buggy" because the steps are in the wrong order. Number them 1 to 5 to fix the sequence.
Release the ball towards the hoop
Stand behind the free-throw line
Dribble the ball three times to focus
Bend your knees and aim for the back of the rim
Receive the ball from the referee
3
Selection: The Referee's Decision
Help the referee write the IF/THEN logic for these game situations.
Scenario: Double Dribble
IF:
Example: Player stops dribbling and then starts again
THEN:
Example: Blow whistle and award ball to other team
Scenario: Shooting Foul
IF:
THEN:
Scenario: Final Buzzer
IF:
THEN:
4
The Game-Winning Play Algorithm
You have 5 seconds left. Write an algorithm for the final shot. Include at least 4 steps in your Sequence and 1 Selection (IF/THEN).
March Madness Coding Series • Lesson 1 • Season 1
Coach's Playbook Teacher Guide TEACHER'S PLAYBOOK
CODING COURT
BASICS GUIDE
SEASON 1 // LESSON 1
March Madness Series
Target Grade
7th Grade
Duration
50-60 Minutes
Coding Concepts
Algorithms, Sequence, Selection
Lesson Objective
Students will understand that an algorithm is a precise set of instructions. They will learn to identify the importance of sequencing in basketball plays and apply selection (if/then logic) to referee decisions and game-time strategy.
Game Pacing Guide
10m
The Tip-Off (Warm-up)
Ask students to describe how to shoot a layup. Note how different descriptions vary in detail and order.
15m
The Scouting Report (Slides)
Use the "Bracket Logic Slides" to introduce key terms using the March Madness metaphor.
15m
The Scrimmage (Activity)
Unplugged Activity: The "Human Algorithm." (See details below)
10m
Post-Game Analysis (Worksheet)
Students complete the "Court Code Worksheet" individually or in pairs.
Activity: The Human Algorithm
In this activity, one student is the "Computer" and the class is the "Developer."
The Setup
Bring one volunteer to the front. They will only follow EXACT instructions. Give them a physical basketball (or a crumpled piece of paper).
The Goal
The class must provide a Sequence of instructions to get the "Computer" to "Shoot a basket" (into a trash can or designated spot).
The Twist (Selection)
Introduce an IF/THEN condition: "IF the Developer claps their hands, THEN the Computer must dribble three times."
Teaching Tip
"The Computer should follow commands literally. If they say 'Move your feet,' the Computer might move them in circles unless told exactly where to step. This highlights the need for precise algorithms."
Answer Key: Court Code Worksheet
1. Vocabulary Matching
A (Algorithm): Step-by-step set of instructions.B (Sequence): Specific order of execution.C (Selection): Decision-making structure (IF/THEN).
2. The Sequence Foul
The correct order for the Free-Throw:
1. Stand behind the line
2. Receive ball from referee
3. Dribble three times
Variable Victories Slides Season 1: Episode 2
VARIABLE
VICTORIES
Tracking Tournament Stats with Loops and Logic
Memory Storage
The Digital Scoreboard
"What is a Variable?"
A variable is like a container that stores a value.
Think of it as a label for a specific piece of information.
Live Stats
team_name = "Wildcats"
score = 74
game_over = True
Automation
Loops: Doing It Again
A Loop repeats a set of instructions until a specific condition is met.
Game Rhythm
"Instead of writing 'Dribble' 100 times, we just tell the computer to Loop it until the whistle blows!"
Code Loop
for round in tournament:
play_game(round)
update_bracket()
eliminate_losers()
# repeats until champion is found
Dynamic Data
Updating Variables
Start of Game
0
Score initialized to zero
During Game
score += 3
Variable updates in real-time
Wait! What if we use a Loop to update the Variable?
SMART CODING!
Final Round
Variable Victories
It's time to build your own Stat Tracker. Use your worksheet to manage variables and write loops for a tournament season.
Manage Storage
Loop the Season
Stat Tracker Worksheet Level 2: Data & Automation
STAT TRACKER
WORKSHEET
TEAM:
DATE:
1
Memory Slots: Defining Variables
In coding, we store data in variables. For each tournament statistic below, create a Variable Name and an Initial Value .
Stat Description
The name of your team
Variable Name
Example: team_name
Initial Value
Example: "Lions"
Stat Description
Number of points scored
Variable Name
Initial Value
Stat Description
Is the game currently active?
Variable Name
Initial Value
2
Loop de Loop: Repetition
A tournament has 6 rounds of games. Instead of writing 6 separate code blocks, we use a LOOP . Fill in the missing logic for this tournament loop.
rounds_needed = 6
current_round = 1
# Write the loop starting condition below:
WHILE
play_game(current_round)
announce_winners()
# Update the current_round variable below:
current_round =
3
The Tournament Data Analyst
You are coding a system to track a player's free throws. They take 10 shots. Use a Variable called makes to store the count. Write a Loop that simulates the practice session.
Workspace: Pseudocode or Real Code
March Madness Coding Series • Lesson 2 • Season 1
Variable Victories Teacher Guide TEACHER'S ANALYST DESK
VARIABLE
VICTORIES GUIDE
SEASON 1 // LESSON 2
March Madness Series
Target Grade
7th Grade
Duration
50-60 Minutes
Coding Concepts
Variables, Data Types, Loops
Lesson Objective
Students will define variables as data containers and understand how they update during program execution. They will also apply loops to repetitive tournament structures, automating the advancement of teams across brackets.
Game Pacing Guide
08m
The Stat Check (Warm-up)
Ask students: "What information does a scoreboard keep track of?" Write their answers on the board as potential variables.
12m
Analyst Briefing (Slides)
Present "Variable Victories Slides" to explain variables as containers and loops as automation tools.
20m
Loop Practice (Activity)
Unplugged: "Bracket Loop" physical simulation. (See below)
20m
Post-Game Stats (Worksheet)
Students work through the "Stat Tracker Worksheet" to practice defining variables and writing loop logic.
Activity: The Bracket Loop
Visualizing how a tournament repeats the same logic for every round.
The Setup
Give 8 students a "Team Name" card. Draw a simple 3-round bracket on the board.
The Algorithm
Explain the loop logic: "While (teams > 1): Match teams, Flip coin, Advance winner, Reduce team count."
The Concept
Show how the Team Count Variable updates after every round of the loop until the condition (teams == 1) is reached.
Answer Key: Stat Tracker Worksheet
1. Variable Definitions
Points Scored: Name: points | Value: 0Game Active: Name: is_active | Value: True
2. The Tournament Loop
Missing logic solution:
WHILE: current_round <= rounds_neededUpdate: current_round + 1
Common Pitfall
Watch for Infinite Loops! Remind students that if they don't update their variable inside the loop (like current_round = current_round + 1), the game will never end. A basketball game with no clock is an infinite loop!
