This collection has been put together to go some way in satisfying the many requests we constantly receive from players and coaches for new drills, exercises and the like to use in their own training sessions. All the material here has been contributed by visitors to the site, for which many thanks are due. In order to make this site more useful, if you use a drill or exercise of your own which does not appear here, please think of contributing it to the collection to help others. It is particularly helpful if you can follow our guidelines for contributing material, although anything is always gratefully accepted!
However because of the cooperative nature of this part of the site it is necessary to add the following disclaimer: the Netball Resources site and its authors make no claim as to the suitability of any material in this part of the site for any form of netball coaching, and will accept no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from its use. Anone using any material contained herein does so at their own risk and should take all appropriate steps to satisfy themselves of its suitablility for their purposes beforehand.
That said, advice from any coaches out there will always be gratefully accepted, and I will do my best to provide useful drills which reflect valid practice. You might also like to check out Sportplan's Netball Drills page, a great site with loads of free material as well as subsctiption stuff, Coaching Solutions excellent tip-of-the week section (with an archive of past tips), the Sportscoach training development site, which whilst not specifically for netball, might certainly be useful if you're looking at training scheme development, as it has sections on everything from coaching and conditioning to nutrition, psychology and plyometrics (whatever that is!), and commercial sources such as Netskills,Coachingnetball.com (through Sportplan) and NCI which you'll find in the services and suppliers section. Gordon Dudman also has a good collection of Netball Training Drills , and there are also some drills listed at the Netball NSW site.
Also, at the moment,
1st stretch:
From Andy Dawson
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I normally run them through this exercise twice at the beginning. You can bring in different skills into the drill such as hopping, skipping, jumping, sidestepping, pivoting, etc.
From Jennifer Robson
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Vary with this if only 1 team training,(my version)
Choose 2 players to be "he" same rules except when tagged they stay on court and become a "team " of "he" continue until one player is the winner(not tagged)
(note from ed - said to be "...the best warmup ever" - !!! )
(note from ed - obvious variant could be to have two teams after each others' bibs)
This is a good warm up to do because the game game involves being on your toes a lot and you also do a little bit of jumping
Progression:
Coaching points:
Coaching points:
Coaching points:
Place cones in a square c. 10 metres on a side. Each player stands at a cone in order (player 1 at cone 1, 2 at 2 etc), except Player 5 who starts midway between cones 4 and 1, with the ball. To commence the exercise, player 1 runs towards cone 2 and player 5 passes ahead of him/her so that the pass will be received at the mid-point between the two cones. Player 5 runs to cone 1 immediately on releasing the ball. As soon as player 1 receives the ball, player 2 runs towards cone 3, and player 1 passes to him/her in a similar fashion, to be received at the midpoint between the cones, then runs on to cone 2. As soon as player 2 receives the ball, player 3 runs towards cone 4 and player 2 passes to the midpoint and runs on to cone 3, etc etc. When player 1 has returned to cone 1 this is one rotation.
Coaching points:
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Place cones in a square. Two girls stand at each cone (more if more than 8 players). P1 and P2 are diagonally opposite each other. P3 and P4 are in front on the other two cones and have the ball. P1 and P2 run towards each other, in the middle, they each receive a pass from their left. P1 throws the ball to the player originally standing behind P2 and P2 to the player now standing in P1's original place. P1 and P2 each then run and stand behind the player they just threw the ball to. P3 and P4 then run. The cycle continues on the same. Players need to keep their eyes on the ball whilst keeping a feel of where other players are so there are no collisions.
Points to remember : Always receive the ball from the left and throw straight ahead. All girls always stay on the same diagonal they started on. If one player falls out of time, the whole drill is out.
Start by walking through it a few times then build up speed.
from Jennifer Robson
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The players stand in a circle. One player starts off in the middle with the ball, passes to one of the people standing around in the circle, and runs and defends the person they threw the ball to. The person next to them runs into the middle of the circle and catches a pass from the person on the outside.
They then throw the ball to the person next to them and run in and defend that person who throws it to their neighbour who runs out to the middle.
Keep on going around until there are no drops, intercepts, bad passes. Ensure full concentration.
Points to remember : Concentrate on good passing technique!
Also useful as a general warmup.
from Natalie Cruise
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Requirements : At least 8 players, 1 ball between 2 players.
Half the players are throwers. Each thrower has a ball and is positioned in a large �cross-ball� formation.
The remaining players are the workers and form a line at the end of the court. Each worker, in turn, drives hard towards the first thrower to receive a pass, then passes it back to that thrower, then push off quickly and changes direction to head straight to the next thrower. Continue through all the throwers. Walk back to the start, repeat.
Variations:
Check for and stress the following key coaching points:
from Gillian at Netskills
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One player (Player 1) stands in the middle of the circle with a ball. Another player (Player 2) which is part of the circle has the second ball. Player 1 is the worker. Player 1 passes the ball to Player 3 whom is next to player 2. Player 2 then passes the ball to Player 1, Player 1 passes to Player 4, receives from Player 3, passes to Player 5, receives from Player 4 and so on.
Additional Options:
When the worker has grasped the concept speed up the incoming throws.
Add a third ball.
Main Objective:
Peripheral vision.
Other Objectives:
Maintain accurate and skillful passing;
Footwork, in particular pivoting;
Reflexes;
Communication;
Teamwork.
From Amanda Read
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Players form a diamond, 1 thrower at each of 3 corners, two rows of workers at 4th corner.
Hope that makes sense!
Main Objective:
Emphasis on passing in front of players to ensure they run onto ball
From "Shazfly"
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Drill Description:
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Objective:
One team tries to link together six consecutive catches.
Description of drill:
The defending team (Team A) is trying to gain possession through intercepts. Once team A has possession the roles reverse and team B is now trying to win possession back. Possession also changes with dropped ball and infractions such as out of bounds, stepping and short passes.
Coaching Points:
This drill is about the use of space. Look for and encourage short sharp movements in an attempt to free oneself from the defending player. Passing should be into a space a player is moving into, not where one is standing.
Progression
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Place 3 players in a triangle 3-4m apart, one with the ball (thrower). 4th player (defender) stands opposite thrower, between and a little in front of the other two players (receivers). Thrower then makes chest pass to either receiver, defender must try to intercept. After five clean interceptions, players rotate.Coaching points:
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After a player has intercepted 5 passes, a new player enters the circle.
Coaching points: A good drill for learning to pull in the �fingertip grazers�, and, if the ball is moving fast enough to pick up reaction time to the calls.
From Michelle Evans - Friends Netball Club, Tasmania
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PROGRESSIONS: Nine defenders, in groups of three, each in one third of the court. Several groups of three attackers stand outside a goal line with a ball. Each group of attackers moves the ball through the whole court Defenders look to intercept passes. When any group of attackers has completed their court run or the ball has been intercepted, they become the next group of defenders.
COACHING POINTS:
This session is an example of those contained in the publication WINNING SPACE by Pamela Barham and Christine Maylor. For more information see www.netballcoaching.com
From Pam Barham - NCI
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Two cones are placed approximately 2 metres apart and two people, and attacker and a defender, are to stand in between. On the blow of a whistle, the attacker is to try and dodge forward to receive the ball from the third player about 5 metres away. The defender of course is trying to stop them. They only have 3 seconds.
From the Watherstones
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The 1st person is the feeder, the 2nd person is the attacker,and the 3rd person is the defender.
The attacker has to dodge the defender and signal for the ball. When the attacker has signalled for the ball the feeder will pass it to them, without the defender intercepting the ball. The attacker can use a variety of dodges, e.g. drive ( just a simple sprint away from the defender), Fake (by making your top half of your body go one way then quickly moving the other) ect. the feeder can also vary the passes that will be received, chest, overhead, shoulder, bullet.
This is a good way to get infront of your defender when they don't expect you to.
from Col Evans
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All participants space out in one goal third (c.2m from each other in all directions) and stand facing the coach, who stands in the centre circle with a ball. On command, all participants start "fast feet" on the spot and watch the ball. Coach then moves the ball and all players must react, moving body and stretching arms in the same direction as the ball.
Progression:
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Pass quickly and accurately in turn to each player not passing back to the player which you received the pass from.
Coaching points: watch for speed agility and accuracy and footwork.
When the ball gets intercepted by the defenders they then become the attackers and vice versa. Progression: Introduce another ball, then nominate one player with a ball to throw first, this player then throws to the player without the ball and the one who has just released the ball then gets free to catch the ball from the second thrower, who then gets free to catch the ball off the other player with the ball. When it�s intercepted or thrown out of the third it goes to the defending players.
This tends to improve awareness and agility to release the ball then have it straight back again, keeping their minds active at all times.
from Dave Hulme
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Variations: Vary what you do, include jumps, hops, more sprints, weaving etc.
from the Watherstones
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Drill description:
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Drill Description:
[ Drills contents page ] - [ General information ] - [ Warmups ] - [ Passing drills ] - [ Defense drills ] - [ Attack drills ] - [ Fitness & agility drills ] - [ Submit a new drill ]
[ Back to main contents page ]
However because of the cooperative nature of this part of the site it is necessary to add the following disclaimer: the Netball Resources site and its authors make no claim as to the suitability of any material in this part of the site for any form of netball coaching, and will accept no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from its use. Anone using any material contained herein does so at their own risk and should take all appropriate steps to satisfy themselves of its suitablility for their purposes beforehand.
That said, advice from any coaches out there will always be gratefully accepted, and I will do my best to provide useful drills which reflect valid practice. You might also like to check out Sportplan's Netball Drills page, a great site with loads of free material as well as subsctiption stuff, Coaching Solutions excellent tip-of-the week section (with an archive of past tips), the Sportscoach training development site, which whilst not specifically for netball, might certainly be useful if you're looking at training scheme development, as it has sections on everything from coaching and conditioning to nutrition, psychology and plyometrics (whatever that is!), and commercial sources such as Netskills,Coachingnetball.com (through Sportplan) and NCI which you'll find in the services and suppliers section. Gordon Dudman also has a good collection of Netball Training Drills , and there are also some drills listed at the Netball NSW site.
Also, at the moment,
General tips
Suggestions and observations for coaches:- Tell players HOW they should do something not that they SHOULD do it!
- Tell your players what the aims of the drill are before having them do it!
- Players use a roll to deceive an opponent, always turn away from them
- Don�t just pit-a-pat on one position, allow the movement to change your position
Basic warmup
A good warmup and stretch is always important - and especially for the more "veteran" players! This is the routine I use:Jog 3 laps of the netball court.1st stretch:
- Wide stance, bend forward hands flat to floor, hold for 10 count, recover
- Turn to left, lean forwards, right heel on floor to stretch right calf, hold for 10 count, recover
- Turn to right, lean forwards, left heel on floor to stretch left calf, hold for 10 count, recover
- Turn to left, step out, lean forwards bending left leg, right leg extended on toes, push back right heel on floor to stretch right groin, hold for 10 count, recover
- Turn to right, step out, lean forwards bending right leg, left leg extended on toes, push back left heel on floor to stretch left groin, hold for 10 count, recover
- Wide stance, hands flat to floor, hold for 10 count, recover
- Balance on right leg, pull up left foot behind body, hold for 10 count, recover
- Balance on left leg, pull up right foot behind body, hold for 10 count, recover
- Right foot behind left at 90 degrees right leg flexed, left leg straight, bend forward to left foot, hold for 10 count (good time to tighten laces!), recover
- left foot behind left at 90 degrees left leg flexed, right leg straight, bend forward to right foot, hold for 10 count, recover
- Hands on hips, 5 hip rotations to left, 5 to right
- Hands above head, bend trunk left, hold for 10 count, recover, bend trunk right, hold for 10 count, recover
- Arms bent in front at shoulder height, 10 trunk rotations alternatively l-r, extend arms, 10 trunk rotations alternatively l-r
- Clasp hands, right arm over head bent behind neck, lean left, hold for 10 count, recover
- Clasp hands, left arm over head bent behind neck, lean right, hold for 10 count, recover
- Circle arms 10 times forward, 10 times backward
- Neck rolls 5 to right, 5 to left
- Ankle rolls 5 to right, 5 to left, each foot
From Andy Dawson
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Suicide
Where I coach, there are four courts together in a square (two netball, two basketball). In general, I start my coaching sessions by sending the girls for a jog around all four courts (once in the first couple of weeks of the season, twice later on). They then come in and do some stretches. Then they get into Suicide.The players line up along the baseline of a netball court and jog to the end of the first goal third, touch the line with their foot, turn around and run back to the baseline again. The players then jog to the end of the centre third and jog back to the baseline again, then on again to the end of the court and sprint back the length of the court to the baseline.I normally run them through this exercise twice at the beginning. You can bring in different skills into the drill such as hopping, skipping, jumping, sidestepping, pivoting, etc.
From Jennifer Robson
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NETBALL TAG
Third of a court1 team passes ball b/w members,using netball rules , to be close to an opposition player to tag her with the ball(not throw at her) When tagged player leaves court area. Continue till all opponents are out.Vary with this if only 1 team training,(my version)
Choose 2 players to be "he" same rules except when tagged they stay on court and become a "team " of "he" continue until one player is the winner(not tagged)
(note from ed - said to be "...the best warmup ever" - !!! )
TAG
Half the team tuck bibs into the backs of their skirts/trousers. Then the other half of the team have to try and grab as many bibs as they can.This involves dodging and awareness of other people on your team and the defence.(note from ed - obvious variant could be to have two teams after each others' bibs)
Line drill
requirements: 1 netball court.steps: start at the top of the court run to the blue line run on the spot then jump up and down 5 times with your arms in the air then run to the next line and repeat the procedure when you get to the last line turn around and go back. Do this as many times as you like.This is a good warm up to do because the game game involves being on your toes a lot and you also do a little bit of jumping
TH warmup
requirements: 1 netball court.steps: a.. It can involve no littler than 4 people, and can involve as many people as you like above that number. b.. You start at each corner on one of the base lines, So that you have two lines. c.. You alternate your start and sprint to the opposite corner on the half way line, so that you are only using one half of the court, d.. You then turn so that each line is facing one another..still running, and then jog across the half way line, dodging from side to side thorugh one another. u can repeat this as many times as u like, its tricky to get it 100% correct without anyone crashing in to one another, but when you do, you could go on for hours, its a lot of fun to do.Quick feet
requirements: Players (any number)Players line up in a straight line Running on the spot until coach calls out either quarter, half, full, down or up.- Quarter- players turn 90degres to the right and back really quickly to continue running until next command
- Half- players jump to the back and back again really quickly to continue running until next command
- full- players turn 360 degrees around quickly to continue running until next command
- up- players jump up and come back down to continue running until next command
- down- players squat down to touch the ground then back up to continue running until next command
Contents:
- Types of passes
- Brief list of basic pass types and techniques
- Roll drill
- Basic 2-person roll and pass drill
- Reaction drill
- 2-person face-to-face retrieve & return
- Left, right, up and over
- Thrower and line multi-pass drill
- Figure 8
- 2-person running pass drill
- Box drill
- 4-person pass and move drill
- Diamonds
- 8-person square-crossing 2-ball drill
- Cut the cake
- Group circle passing drill
- Lots of passing
- Group (8+) cross-ball passing drill
- Two balls in the circle
- Working one player inside a circle
- Star drill
- Group passing drill - bit complicated!
- Receiving on the Run
- Pairs, working on leading the receiver.
- Six Catches
- Team drill, use of space and passing into space.
- Three Posts
- Group passing drill (Word document)
Types of passes
- Shoulder pass
- Flat, hard pass. Step forward with left foot (if ball is held in right hand)with ball held high and push the ball straight ahead from the shoulder. Hand behind the ball and follow through with fingers pointing in the direction of the pass, eye on the receiver and head up.
- Chest pass
- Flat pass. Using both hands, fingers behind the ball, thumbs touching and with elbows in push through while stepping forward with either foot.
- Overhead
- High pass. Release ball from above head, while stepping forward (footwork rule). Power from wrist to the elbow.
- Push pass
- Associated with bounce pass. Starts at waist, hand behind the ball pushing from the waist and stepping forward, follow through with fingers pointing in the direction fo the pass.
- Bounce pass
- Low pass used over a short distance to feed the circle. Release is low, push towards receiver, fingers pointing to the ground. This pass should note raise above the ground.
- Lob
- Power and speed. Ball held high, step forward and push form the waist, angling the ball up.
Roll drill
Two players, worker and thrower. Worker stands 3-4 metres in front of and facing away from the thrower. Worker rolls to the left to receive a pass, as worker rolls (s)he must quickly pick up the eyes of the thrower, only then can the pass be pushed off. Repeat on right side.Progression:
- Vary passes, lob, chest, shoulder and bounce
- Vary side and length of pass (short left or long right), worker must run onto or up to attack the ball
- Ensure worker pushes off with correct foot
- Arms out to attack the ball and pulls ball into the chest
- Move out to meet the ball at 45 degrees
Reaction drill
Worker and thrower face each other approx. 2 metres apart. Worker need only move 2 steps to either side to retrieve a variety of passes in quick succession. Worker must pit-a-pat to ready to go in either direction.Coaching points:
- Worker must attack the ball and pull it into the chest
- Eye to ball contact
- Stance is balanced, not too broad and ready to move
- Thrower has two balls, one in either hand, passes are pushed back and forward with one hand (thrower�s right hand to worker�s left etc)
Left, right, up and over
Thrower and worker standing about two metres apart and facing each other. Thrower delivers a pass to the left then right then up and up again and finally over the head and and behind. Worker must return the passes via a chest pass as quickly as possible and drive through to receive the final pass before it hits the ground.Coaching points:
- Worker must drive onto the ball, not just a couple of steps toward it
- Worker must maintain eye contact with the ball and drives should be at 45 degrees
Figure 8
Worker has to run around two cones, set approx 3 to 4 metres apart, in a figure of 8. Thrower stands between the cones but 3-4 metres to one side of them. Worker receives a pass every time (s)he runs towards the thrower, must return the pass left or right depending on which direction (s)he must run.Coaching points:
- Worker must maintain eye contact with the thrower at all times
- Ensure correct foot is used for push off
Box drill
Requirements: five players, four cones, one ballPlace cones in a square c. 10 metres on a side. Each player stands at a cone in order (player 1 at cone 1, 2 at 2 etc), except Player 5 who starts midway between cones 4 and 1, with the ball. To commence the exercise, player 1 runs towards cone 2 and player 5 passes ahead of him/her so that the pass will be received at the mid-point between the two cones. Player 5 runs to cone 1 immediately on releasing the ball. As soon as player 1 receives the ball, player 2 runs towards cone 3, and player 1 passes to him/her in a similar fashion, to be received at the midpoint between the cones, then runs on to cone 2. As soon as player 2 receives the ball, player 3 runs towards cone 4 and player 2 passes to the midpoint and runs on to cone 3, etc etc. When player 1 has returned to cone 1 this is one rotation.
Coaching points:
- Ensure players sprint out for each pass
- Pass should be to space into which receiver must run
- Watch for balance and proper use of feet on landing/push off
- Ensure good pass technique used
- Walk through exercise at first, then gradually build up pace to full speed.
- Require varying types of pass (suggest start with chest pass, then overhead, then shoulder pass)
- Give target number of successful complete rotations at full speed, then reverse direction of players.
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Diamonds
Requirements : 8 or more players, two balls, four cones.Place cones in a square. Two girls stand at each cone (more if more than 8 players). P1 and P2 are diagonally opposite each other. P3 and P4 are in front on the other two cones and have the ball. P1 and P2 run towards each other, in the middle, they each receive a pass from their left. P1 throws the ball to the player originally standing behind P2 and P2 to the player now standing in P1's original place. P1 and P2 each then run and stand behind the player they just threw the ball to. P3 and P4 then run. The cycle continues on the same. Players need to keep their eyes on the ball whilst keeping a feel of where other players are so there are no collisions.
Points to remember : Always receive the ball from the left and throw straight ahead. All girls always stay on the same diagonal they started on. If one player falls out of time, the whole drill is out.
Start by walking through it a few times then build up speed.
from Jennifer Robson
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Cut the cake
Requirements : 3 or more players (8-10 is a good number), 1 ballThe players stand in a circle. One player starts off in the middle with the ball, passes to one of the people standing around in the circle, and runs and defends the person they threw the ball to. The person next to them runs into the middle of the circle and catches a pass from the person on the outside.
They then throw the ball to the person next to them and run in and defend that person who throws it to their neighbour who runs out to the middle.
Keep on going around until there are no drops, intercepts, bad passes. Ensure full concentration.
Points to remember : Concentrate on good passing technique!
Also useful as a general warmup.
from Natalie Cruise
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Lots of passing
If your players are:- timid catching the ball or
- just have trouble catching a hard pass or
- you want to incorporate some ball work with fitness
Requirements : At least 8 players, 1 ball between 2 players.
Half the players are throwers. Each thrower has a ball and is positioned in a large �cross-ball� formation.
The remaining players are the workers and form a line at the end of the court. Each worker, in turn, drives hard towards the first thrower to receive a pass, then passes it back to that thrower, then push off quickly and changes direction to head straight to the next thrower. Continue through all the throwers. Walk back to the start, repeat.
Variations:
- Bring the throwers in closer, so players have to change direction much quicker.
- Each pass to the workers could be varied.
- For juniors - have the throwers closer together.
- For seniors - really stress the coaching points below.
Check for and stress the following key coaching points:
- Work with intensity and make sure you keep driving towards each ball strongly until you have caught it.
- Be balanced when passing back to the throwers.
- Accurate passes back to the throwers are important.
- Strong hard passes by the throwers make the drill very good for practicing catching.
from Gillian at Netskills
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2 balls in the circle
Requirements: 7 or players recommended; 2 balls or more required;One player (Player 1) stands in the middle of the circle with a ball. Another player (Player 2) which is part of the circle has the second ball. Player 1 is the worker. Player 1 passes the ball to Player 3 whom is next to player 2. Player 2 then passes the ball to Player 1, Player 1 passes to Player 4, receives from Player 3, passes to Player 5, receives from Player 4 and so on.
Additional Options:
When the worker has grasped the concept speed up the incoming throws.
Add a third ball.
Main Objective:
Peripheral vision.
Other Objectives:
Maintain accurate and skillful passing;
Footwork, in particular pivoting;
Reflexes;
Communication;
Teamwork.
From Amanda Read
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Star drill
Requirements: One ball, at least 7 players - 3 throwers (T), 4 (or more) workers (W).Players form a diamond, 1 thrower at each of 3 corners, two rows of workers at 4th corner.
T(1)
T(2) T(3)
W(a) W(b)
W(a) W(b)
Both rows of workers start at the same time. W(a) throws ball to T(2) and runs towards T(2). At the same time W(b) runs straight towards T(1), receives pass from T(2) and passes onto T(1). W(a)runs around T(2) and towards T(3)receives pass from T(1) and passes onto T(3).W(b) runs around T(1) receives pass from T(3) and passes onto W(a) and returns to opposite row to where they started. W(a) runs around T(3) takes pass from W(b) and passes onto next W(b). Each worker returns to opposite row. The drill continues but in reverse - W(b) starts with ball.Hope that makes sense!
Main Objective:
Emphasis on passing in front of players to ensure they run onto ball
From "Shazfly"
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Receiving on the Run
Resources: Enough balls for 1 ball between 2 participantsDrill Description:
- Players pair off and stand facing each other approximately 2 meters apart.
- One player runs to the side and the other player throws the ball in front of the running player.
- The running player catches the ball, pivots and throws the ball back.
- The player runs to the other side and the steps are repeated.
- After 5 passes each side, swap over. The thrower becomes the runner.
- Repeat so each persons runs and throws twice.
- Passes must be in front of the running player to ensure they run onto the ball and don't have to reach backwards or stop to catch the pass.
- Speed can be picked up for more advanced players.
- Lob passes can be introduced.
- The thrower can call Left, Right, Front or Back and the runner must respond by running in that direction.
- The main object is to get the throwers aim better at putting the ball in front of the running player.
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Six catches
Resources: 1 ball, players divided into 2 teams, bibs for team identification (positions of no consequences)Objective:
One team tries to link together six consecutive catches.
Description of drill:
The defending team (Team A) is trying to gain possession through intercepts. Once team A has possession the roles reverse and team B is now trying to win possession back. Possession also changes with dropped ball and infractions such as out of bounds, stepping and short passes.
Coaching Points:
This drill is about the use of space. Look for and encourage short sharp movements in an attempt to free oneself from the defending player. Passing should be into a space a player is moving into, not where one is standing.
Progression
- I also like to include that one player can not pass back to the player which they received the ball from.
- Decrease the amount of space.
- Include direction in the play by having the team in possession get the ball to one side of the court. Once the ball is pressed on the sideline the same team retains possession and tries to get the ball back to the opposite side of the court.
- Limit the type of pass that can be used.
Defence drills
Contents:
- General tips - Col Evans
- Triangle drill - Andy Dawson
- 4 person - Pass reaction/inteception
- Piggies in the middle - Michelle Evans
- Group pass reaction/interception
- Balance of defence - Pam Barham
- Introductory drill for zone/area defence
- Zone out - Kate Chandler
- Introductory drill for basic zone defence skills
- Red Rover variation - Kate Chandler
- Zone marking/blocking exercise
General tips
Suggestions and observations for coaches:- Defenders should
- ask themselves "where�s my player" and "where�s the ball" aim to intercept the ball
- restrict their opponent�s movement
- keep the ball away from their oponent
- restrict the options available to throwers
- watch the wrist action of shooter for direction of pass
- When changing your defence from the left to the right side (or vice versa) of an opponent do it in front of that player
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Triangle drill
Requirements: 4 players, one ballPlace 3 players in a triangle 3-4m apart, one with the ball (thrower). 4th player (defender) stands opposite thrower, between and a little in front of the other two players (receivers). Thrower then makes chest pass to either receiver, defender must try to intercept. After five clean interceptions, players rotate.Coaching points:
- Adjust distances according to skill/size of defender to ensure defender has a realistic chance to intercept the ball.
- Ensure good fast chest passes only, no overheads.
- Defender should react to ball, not thrower's eyes
- Defender should use correct technique to come around defender (outside arm)
- Ensure defender does not "creep up" on thrower.
- Make defender stand back on or behind the line between the receivers.
- Widen gap between receivers
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Piggies in the middle
Requirements: 7+ players, one ballThe team gathers in a circle with two players in the middle. The ball is moved across the circle at varying speeds, heights and using various types of passes. Each time the ball is passed the �passer� calls the name of the �passee�. The players in the middle of the circle must try and intercept the ball as it passes through or over.After a player has intercepted 5 passes, a new player enters the circle.
Coaching points: A good drill for learning to pull in the �fingertip grazers�, and, if the ball is moving fast enough to pick up reaction time to the calls.
From Michelle Evans - Friends Netball Club, Tasmania
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Balance of defence
PURPOSE: To introduce players to the concept and skills required for area (zone) defence.ORGANISATION: Group of nine: five attackers, four defenders as shown in the diagram. Defenders each have their own area. Attackers move through from one area to the next in a given direction, retaining balanced spacing. On a signal change direction and positions. Attacker (BT) in the middle passes to any attacker and receives a return pass. Defenders move to intercept.PROGRESSIONS: Nine defenders, in groups of three, each in one third of the court. Several groups of three attackers stand outside a goal line with a ball. Each group of attackers moves the ball through the whole court Defenders look to intercept passes. When any group of attackers has completed their court run or the ball has been intercepted, they become the next group of defenders.
COACHING POINTS:
- Defenders constantly mobile, reducing view of clear spaces.
- Head up, eyes alert, concentrating on the ball.
- Stay off attacker until the ball is about to be released. Tempt the pass, then go for the interception.
- Work together to close down angles and vision.
- Watch each other and shift across to cover angles as the ball changes position.
| COMMON ERRORS | CORRECTIONS |
| Space related | |
| Closing in on attacker so that the ball not released to them and there is no opportunity to intercept | Defender must position on an angle which gives vision of both the attacker, other defenders and the ball. |
| Failing to move as a unit in response to the ball | Focus on ball. Increase space awareness of defenders by drawing their attention to the need to work as defending pair. |
| Timing | |
| Slow reaction on movement to intercept. | Keep a balanced position working on the balls of the feet, ready to spring out. |
| Players standing still rather than moving | Practice movements without pressure. |
From Pam Barham - NCI
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Zone Out
Resources: 2 thirds of a netball courtDrill description:- � Split your players into groups of two. One to attack - one to defend.
- � Defenders will line up along the middle transverse line between the 2 thirds.
- � Attackers will line up along the base line, matched up as a pair with 1 defender.
- � Attackers will run at defenders 2 at a time, from varied positions along the base line. It is up to the coach to select and call on 2 attackers.
- � The other players will wait to the side of the court until they are called upon.
- � The Defenders are to Zone the Attackers from getting into the area.
- � Repeat the steps until all persons have had a turn, and change roles.
- � Ensure contact is monitored from both Attackers and Defenders.
- � If there are more courts, more players can go at once.
- � Be careful of too many people working this drill in a small place.
- � Players can all be Attackers and one person is the Defender.
- � After zoning several people, they join the end of the line of Attackers and someone else becomes the Defender.
- � So on until everyone has had a substantial try at Zoning, perhaps giving the Defenders longer.
- � This can be utilised around the goal ring between Goal Attacking players and Goal Defending players.
- � As apposed to a one-on-one scenario, players can adopt a complete zone along the line and take on the Attacking player whom ever is closer at the time.
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Red Rover Variation
Resources: 2 thirds of a netball courtDrill Description:- 3 players are selected as defenders
- The transverse line is the middle marker and defenders must not cross this line.
- When called by the coach, all other players are to try and cross from the base line over the middle marker, to the transverse line behind the defenders.
- The defenders are to zone as many people as possible.
- Persons are allowed to pass who can not be zoned.
- The game is stopped when all but 1 person has reached the line.
- The last person becomes a defender
- The game continues until only one person remains, or the defenders hold everyone out for a significant amount of time.
- Ensure correct zoning technique is being used.
- This is a no tagging game.
- The size of the game court can be varied depending upon the number of participants.
- Game can be stopped after a certain time rather than "last man standing".
- Develops Zone defence skills.
- Duration of games should get longer as zoning abilities get better.
Contents:
- The attacking circle - tactics for shooters
- A complete sample session kindly contributed by Pam Barham of Network Coaching International!
- Cone trap!
- Dodge the defender...
- Figure of 8 - Make Your Move
- Attack signalling drill
- Cloverleaf Drill
- Courtesy of Barbara Morgan, S.A. United Church Netball Assoc. Inc. (Word file)
Cone trap!
Requirements: 3 players, 1 ball, 2 conesTwo cones are placed approximately 2 metres apart and two people, and attacker and a defender, are to stand in between. On the blow of a whistle, the attacker is to try and dodge forward to receive the ball from the third player about 5 metres away. The defender of course is trying to stop them. They only have 3 seconds.
From the Watherstones
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Figure of 8 - Make Your Move
Requirements: 3 players, 1 ballThe 1st person is the feeder, the 2nd person is the attacker,and the 3rd person is the defender.
The attacker has to dodge the defender and signal for the ball. When the attacker has signalled for the ball the feeder will pass it to them, without the defender intercepting the ball. The attacker can use a variety of dodges, e.g. drive ( just a simple sprint away from the defender), Fake (by making your top half of your body go one way then quickly moving the other) ect. the feeder can also vary the passes that will be received, chest, overhead, shoulder, bullet.
This is a good way to get infront of your defender when they don't expect you to.
Contents:
- Footwork" Know How" for Netball
- A complete sample session kindly contributed by Pam Barham of Network Coaching International!
- Star runs
- Speed/agility drill
- Reaction drill
- Group/individual reaction drill
- Awareness drill
- 6 player agility/awareness drill
- Court zig zag!
- Multi-movement drill
- Reflex Testing
- Warmup/Reaction drill - with penalties!
- Shuttle Run
- More like mini-circuit training!
Star runs
Set out four cones on the perimiter of a 3-4 metre diameter circle and call them 1,2,3,4 (or North, South, East, West, or left, right, back front). A player stands in the middle and on command runs around each of the destinations but must face forwards. The player must have "fast feet" to start (pit-a-pat) and work as fast as they can. On GO the player uses fast feet and rounds the cone head up and eyes forward (open, closed defence) then return to centre to begin again.from Col Evans
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Reaction drill
This drill is intended as a large group drill, but can also be used with small groups or individuals.All participants space out in one goal third (c.2m from each other in all directions) and stand facing the coach, who stands in the centre circle with a ball. On command, all participants start "fast feet" on the spot and watch the ball. Coach then moves the ball and all players must react, moving body and stretching arms in the same direction as the ball.
Progression:
- Start with simply moving the ball left, right, away (ball held out in front), towards (ball held over head to rear).
- Then add tosses of the ball to which players must react by jumping (up, left, right) or dropping the ball to which players must react by dropping hands to the floor (straight down, left, right).
- Coach can also drop ball behind, over head, at which point all players must sprint to the opposite goal third.
- As a variation, place players in centre with multiple coaches around them and include passes between coaches (players must turn to face the ball).
- Ensure all participants keep feet moving and react promptly
- Ensure full extension in leaps and drops
- Ensure sprints are full speed
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Awareness drill
Six players 3 attacking, 3 defending in 1 third of the court with 1 ball.Pass quickly and accurately in turn to each player not passing back to the player which you received the pass from.
Coaching points: watch for speed agility and accuracy and footwork.
When the ball gets intercepted by the defenders they then become the attackers and vice versa. Progression: Introduce another ball, then nominate one player with a ball to throw first, this player then throws to the player without the ball and the one who has just released the ball then gets free to catch the ball from the second thrower, who then gets free to catch the ball off the other player with the ball. When it�s intercepted or thrown out of the third it goes to the defending players.
This tends to improve awareness and agility to release the ball then have it straight back again, keeping their minds active at all times.
from Dave Hulme
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Court Zig Zag!
Players start in a line on thebottom corner of the court. They follow one person round, approximately 1-2m apar. You sprint along the baseline, run concentrating with knee up diagonally to the first third line, kick your ankles back along that line, sidestep diagonally to the second third corner, jog backwards along this line, jog diagonally to the back corner, dodge along the baseline and sprint at three quarter pace diagonally across court to the sarting position. Repeat again (optional).Variations: Vary what you do, include jumps, hops, more sprints, weaving etc.
from the Watherstones
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Reflex Testing
Resources: Enough balls for each pair of players.Drill description:
- Players stand facing each other approximately 1.5 - 2 m apart.
- Player without the ball runs quickly with small steps on the spot.
- Player with the ball will pass the ball or drop the ball in any direction within arm reach of the running player.
- Passes are quick and are meant to catch the running player off guard.
- The running player catches the ball and passes back.
- Repeat above steps.
- After approximately 20 passes, swap roles.
- Running players may get sloppy with return passes. Passes should be direct upon return.
- Running players may stop or slow down. Idea is to keep them going at a steady rate rather than flat out first and faltering at the end.
- Penalties can be included for wayward passes from either person or if the running player stops running. Penalties can include sit ups, push ups, etc.
- This is a good drill for after the warm up but before the game.
- Focus is on reflex skills and abilities of the players to do more than one thing at a time.
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Shuttle Run
Resources: 1 Netball CourtDrill Description:
- All Players line up at one corner of the base line.
- Kicking feet up to their behind, players run diagonally to the corner of the first centre third transverse line.
- Players are spaced by approximately 30 seconds.
- At the corner, players bend from the knees and jump up in the air and raise arms above their head in a full stretch as they jump. This is done 5 times.
- Players then side step across the transverse line to the other side of the court, facing the base line they started from.
- At the corner 10 star jumps.
- Players then run with knees up in front at 90 degrees (no higher) to the diagonal corner.
- Repeat jumping 5 times.
- Players then side step across the transverse line to the other side of the court, facing the opposite side to before.
- At the corner players will stand feet shoulder width apart, arms out to side and turn upper body from side to side, twisting from the hips and waist. This is done 10 times slowly on each side.
- Players then slowly shuffle run to last diagonal corner using little and light feet.
- At the corner a sprint begins along the base line and down the side line, back to the beginning.
- This is completed at least twice to raise the heart rate.
- Ensure knees are not raised above 90 degrees, due to possibility of injury.
- Try to keep some distance between players for easy movements at the corners.
- Side stepping should see the players not crossing their feet over and bending in the knees and keeping body upright - not bending in the hips or waist.
- When jumping watch for those who may have back injuries. They may need to adopt a softer stretch rather than an actual jump.
- When twisting, ensure arms are at shoulder level and kept square to the body and ground.
- Other activities can be substituted at the corner
- Keeping a record of all players and timing the runs can help motivate and show how fitness is developing.
hank you very much for considering making a contribution to the Netball Resources drills collection! We would be very glad to receive anything you wish to share with the netballing comunity through our pages. We will accept pretty much anything in any form, but it would be extremely helpful if you could send material which conforms as nearly as possible to the following guidelines.
Submissions should be either stand-alone HTML files (for substantial pieces, e.g. Pam Barham's The attacking circle - tactics for shooters), Word files (for shorter contributions, e.g. Andy Dawson's Box drill) or plain ascii text files.
Graphics should be plain black and white line drawings in .GIF format (1 bitplane) wherever possible.
Short drills should include the following information (where appropriate):
Submissions should be either stand-alone HTML files (for substantial pieces, e.g. Pam Barham's The attacking circle - tactics for shooters), Word files (for shorter contributions, e.g. Andy Dawson's Box drill) or plain ascii text files.
Graphics should be plain black and white line drawings in .GIF format (1 bitplane) wherever possible.
Short drills should include the following information (where appropriate):
- Name (e.g. "Box drill")
- Category (from: general coaching, warmups, passing, attack, defense, fitness/agility)
- Resources required (e.g. number of persons, balls, other equipment)
- Description of drill (as full as possible)
- Coaching points (i.e. particular things for the coach to emphasise in the drill, e.g. proper footwork)
- Progression (i.e. variations/developments on the basic drill to be used for further benefit)
- Your name!
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