Passing

1
Passing
Passing Tool Box

• Objective  To develop a tool box of passes
• No. of Players  In groups pairsArea  Goal
  1/3 of the netball courtEquipment 1 ball per
  pair
• Pairs stand facing each other in a line. Do 10
  each way of the following passes
• Chest (arms by side, hands make a W with thumb
  tips touching, ball in front of chest. Step
  forward with one foot as passing)
• Side (ball is held up by the side of the head,
  normally the side that the person writes with.
  The opposite foot is forward. As the ball is
  drawn back the weight is shifted to the back foot
  and moved onto the front foot and the ball is
  thrown)
• Overhead (ball is held overhead, feet one in
  front of the other. As ball is drawn back the
  weight is shifted to the back foot and moved onto
  the front foot and the ball is thrown).
• Lob (movement like a chest past but ball is
  thrown up to come down to the other player)
• Bounce (movement like a chest pass. Ball is
  bounced 2/3 of the way between the pair so that
  it is coming up into the other player.
• Once the players have their tool box of passes
  get them to pass to their partner, the partner
  holds the ball where it is caught. Ask them what
  a good pass would be from this catching position.
  The idea is that they can save time by for
  example doing a side pass if they catch the ball
  by their head rather than bringing it down to the
  chest in some situations.

2
Attack
The Loose Caboose
Objective  To develop quickness and
agility.No. of Players  In groups of
4Area  Goal 1/3 of the netball
courtEquipment NilIn teams of 3 players
link like a train with hands on the hips of the
player in front. The other player is the loose
caboose (C) and stands out the front of the train
and using dodges tries to attach to the back of
the train by touching the back player with their
hands.The players making up the train are also
dodging to keep the loose caboose from
attaching to the backWhen C makes a touch, C
goes to the back and the front of the line is the
new C.
C
3
Attack
Treasure Chest
Objective  To develop the quickness and agility
required to beat the defenders.No. of Players 
In groups of 5Area  Goal 1/3 of the netball
courtEquipment 5 cones and add a ball once
players understand the activityS Sailor, P
Pirates, Cone TreasurePlace cones around line
of goal circle. Sailors using a variety of
attacking movements are trying to collect as much
treasure as possible without being tagged by the
defenders. If a Pirate tags a sailor 1 point
if a sailor collects a treasure 1
pointExtension  Add a ball.  The sailors pass
the ball and if placed on a treasure 5 points.
If pirates intercept a pass 5 points
4
Green Grass
Attack
T
Trolls and Billy Goats
Swamp
T
T
T
BG
BG
BG
BG
Objective For the Billy Goats (Attackers) to
make their way to the 'Green Grass' without being
tagged by the Trolls (Defenders) while also
avoiding the 'swamp' No. of players 8 - 12
players divided into 2 equal teams Area 1/3 of
a netball court Equipment Chalk or tape and
dots or cones. 2 sets of bibs Divide players into
2 even teams (Billy Goats V Trolls) and the
netball third in half, width-wise Create a 5m
wide Green Grass area with cones, dots or chalk,
just over the transverse line on one side of your
total playing area (e.g. if you are using an
attacking third, your 'Green Grass' area will be
just inside the centre third) Create a swamp by
marking an area with chalk or dots anywhere in
the half nearest the Green Grass area Billy
Goats (BG) start in one half of the third. The
aim is for all of them to get to the Green Grass
area on the other side of the Trolls (T) without
being tagged If Billy Goats step in the swamp by
mistake, they are out 1 point is scored for each
Billy Goat that gets to the Green Grass Swap
roles and allow each team 4 turns in each role
before adding up their total scores. The team
with the most points wins Ext Give the Billy
Goats a ball which they must get through to the
Green Grass area by passing between themselves.
The Trolls will then attempt to intercept/create
a turnover (i.e. no 'touch' rule exists in this
instance but all netball rules apply)
5
Body Balance
Here there and everywhere
Objective  To develop good body balance.No.
of Players  Whole groupArea  Goal 1/3 of
the netball courtEquipment NilPlayers
spread out in the third. On the instructions of
the Coach the players move as follows Here -
players run towards the coach There - players
run where the coach indicates Everywhere -
players run anywhere they like, dodging other
players Nowhere - players jog on the spot Stop
- players must stop in a stable balanced position
6
Body Balance
Tiger Tiger
Objective  To develop an awareness of a stable
balanced position.No. of Players  6 - 12
players  ( 2-3 players to be W tigers and
remaining players are monkeys P)Area  One
1/3 of the netball courtEquipment Nil Hold
a roaring competition to see who is going to be
Tiger(s) W. The Tigers stand facing away from the
players at the edge of the area. The remaining
players become noisy monkeys who will leap about
plucking "fruit" from the trees and landing
balanced.The Tigers roar and quickly turn
around.  The Monkeys must remain still in a
stabled balanced position. The Tigers assess all
the Monkeys and any Monkey that they see moving
or isn't balanced e.g. feet too close they say
the reason and then get to "eat" the Monkey, the
monkey then joins the Tigers.The activity then
restarts
7
Body Balance
Objective  To practise catching and landing
balanced.No. of Players  In Pairs Area 
One 1/3 of the netball courtEquipment Nil
In pairs player A holds ball in outstretched
hands. Player B runs, collects ball and lands
balanced. When go that sorted player B
runs to catch a pass thrown by player A and lands
balanced.
A
B
A
B
8
Body Balance
Steady as you go
Objective  To develop the ability to move and
land while maintaining balance.No. of Players 
Whole group Area  A 1/2 of the netball
courtEquipment 1 ballDivide the group in
half and set up as per diagram. W1 starts with
the ball and passes to W2 as they run forward. W1
then runs forward to work with W2. W2 can choose
to pass to W1 or back to W3 or W4. If W3 or W4
receive the pass they assess who is the best
passing option and pass them the ball. Once W1 or
W2 is close enough to pass the ball to either of
W5 or W6 they can and then run to the back of
that line. W5 and W6 pass the ball between
themselves and W7 and W8 and continue as
above.When players catch the ball they focus on
landing balanced and making a good passing
choice.Extension  Add a defending player in
the middle who looks to intercept passes or fill
space
9
Body Balance
Swerving
Objective  To develop the ability to move
around court without contacting other
players.No. of Players  Whole group Area 
A 1/2 of the netball courtEquipment
NilPlayers spread out in a line. Back player
moves forward in and out of players using forward
steps and sidesteps without contacting until they
reach the front of the line. Continue until all
have had a turn.
10
Defending

• Defence skills
• Weight on balls of feet ready to move in any
  direction
• Use quick short stops
• Feet no wider than should width apart
• Head up and use wide vision
• Arms relaxed but ready to reach for the ball
• Activities
• Shadow marking. Pairs stand side by side. Player
  A moves with sudden movements 4-6 steps in any
  direction. Player B tries to keep as close as
  possible. On whistle, Player B should be close
  enough to tag player A.
• Groups of 4. Player A passes to player B who
  passes to player C. Player D tries to intercept
  the pass within 5 attempts.

11
Defending
A
C
B
Objective To learn defending the player with the
ball and defending space No. of players in
3s Area 1/3 of court Equipment ball per
3   Players A and B pass the ball between them
without moving. Player C defends the player with
the ball. Must be .9 of a metre back. Players A
and B work out a pass according to the defence
(i.e. lob, bounce etc). Player C then tries to
defend the space standing in between A and B as
they pass.
12
Defending
Figure 8
Objective To practice intercepting or tipping
the ball without contacting No. of players in
3s Area 1/3 of court Equipment ball per
3 Players A and B pass the ball between them.
Player C runs in a figure 8 around them timing
her run from behind a player to try to intercept
or tip the ball with her outside arm. If she does
she passes whoever passed the ball that she
intercepted and continues running in the figure
8.
C
A
B
13
Defending
Active Octopus
A
Objective To mark more than one player and to
look for intercepts No. of players As many as
available Area Centre Third Equipment
Dots/Markers/Chalk and 1 ball    Use the centre
circle as a starting point Set up dots/markers
about 3m away (use as many as required) Choose a
player to be the 'feeder' - they start in the
centre circle Split the rest of the group into 2
un-even groups One group stand on a dot
each The other group (with one less player)
stand in between the feeder in the centre circle
and the players on the dots - they are the
defenders Coach calls play and the feeder needs
to pass in and out to the players on the dots as
many times as possible Defenders float between
players on the dots looking for intercepts and
tips Players on the dots must keen one foot on
the dot at all times Play until there have been
5 tips or intercepts then swap over roles,
including the feeder
Defender
14
Defending
Interceptor
Use the arm farthest away from catcher
Objective  To develop the ability to tip the
ball without contacting No. of Players  Groups
of 3 Area  A 1/3 of the netball
courtEquipment 1 ball for each group In each
group of 3 there is a passer, a catcher and an
interceptor. The interceptor stands behind to the
side of the catcher. The passer passes to the
catcher and the interceptor comes around to tip
the ball using the arm farthest away from the
catcher so as not to contact.
15
Movement
Movement Tool Box

• Objective  To learn different movements to get
  away from defender.No. of Players  In
  3sArea  A 1/3 of the netball court or
  smallerEquipment 1 ball per 3Teach and then
  try each of these movement techniques. Within the
  groups of 3 there is a passer A, an attack player
  B and a defender C. When B has tried each of the
  techniques switch around.
• Straight run. The ball is faster than the player
  so generally if the attacking player sets off on
  a straight run and the passer passes in front A
  will get the ball.
• Dodge. Player B faces forward evenly balanced on
  the balls of their feet. Dip the right knee (not
  the torso) and spring back strongly the other
  way.
• Roll. Player B takes a step to the right and
  immediately pivots 180 degrees away from the
  defender to face the other way and move to take
  the pass. If they whip their head around once
  they have landed the first foot it will help
  bring the body around.

A
C
B
16
Movement
Scatter Cones
Objective  To encourage quick changes of
direction.No. of Players  Two teams of 4-6
playersArea  A 1/3 of the netball court or
smallerEquipment ConesCones are scattered
randomly, half lying down and half standing up.
The teams have 30 seconds in which one team is
responsible for tipping the cones over while the
other team will stand them up.After 30 secs
count how many cones are down and up.Swap roles
17
Ball Control
Objective  Fun activities to assist ball
control, co-ordination and confidence.No. of
Players  Players working individuallyArea 
Goal 1/3 of the netball courtEquipment 1
ball per player if possibleThe following
activities will allow your players to become more
familiar and confident with the ball Hot Potato
- the ball is quickly passed from hand to hand
Hot Potato Challenge - as above but now the
coach will call out an number eg 1 hot potato
at eye level, 2 hot potato at hip level, 3 hot
potato at knee level. Body Circle - the ball is
circled around the waist - change direction Body
Circle Challenge - coach calls out the body part
to be circled eg head, ankles, hips, knees, waist
Figure 8's - the players stand with legs wide
and create a figure 8 by taking the ball around a
leg, through the middle and around the other
leg.  Change direction Figure 8 Challenge -
players all line up on a line and then while
walking continue to make figure 8's around their
legs.  Increase the tempo to jogging. Turn and
Catch - ball is thrown into the air and the
player turns 180, and then catches the ball. 
Then try turning 360. Stand Up - player sits on
the ground and tosses the ball into the air. 
Without using hands the player must stand up to
catch the ball. Pretty Clever - the ball is held
behind the head, dropped and then caught behind
their back.  Once they have mastered this add in
that they have toss the ball up behind their head
and then catch it behind their back The Ultimate
- The ball is thrown over the players head, then
they bend to put their hands between the legs at
knee / ankle height to catch the ball behind
them. Timing is critical
18
Ball Control
Order Ball
Objective  To pick the right pass for the
situation.No. of Players  In groups of
4-5Area  Goal 1/3 of the netball court or
smallerEquipment 1 ballPlayers are divided
into groups of 4-5. The players are numbered off.
P1 starts with the ball, passes to the space for
P2.  P2 to P3 etc and P5 to P1.Players move
around the area, running into the space to
receive a pass.  The ball must be passed
consecutively.Players use a pass that is
appropriate based on where the player is and if
there is anything in their way.Extensions 
See which group can get the most passes in 1
minute. Use the other group as the defenders
19
Shooting
Shooting Technique

• Teaching shooting technique
• Feet should be shoulder width apart and pointed
  towards the goad. Feet must be even i.e. dont
  have 1 foot in front of the other
• The ball is held high above the head controlled
  by one had with the other hand resting on the
  side of the ball for support. The shooting arms
  elbow must point toward the goal. The arm bends
  so the ball is to the head as the knees bend. The
  ball is then lifted as the arm and legs
  straighten and the ball is released in a high arc
  above the goal. End up on toes with heels off the
  ground. The fingers finish with a downward flick
  towards the goal.
• If everything is straight the ball will go
  straight.
• Power comes from the core and the bent arm and
  knees.

20
Shooting
Numbers Netball
Objective  To practice shooting.No. of
Players  2 teams of 4-6 playersArea  Goal
1/3 of the netball courtEquipment 1 ball,
bibsPlayers in each team numbered 1 - 6. Passer
calls a number eg "3" and throws a loose ball
into the middle of the area.Those two players
run to collect the ball. The player who gets the
ball is on attack and must pass twice to own team
who remain on their line before receiving a pass
in the goal circle where a shot is taken.  The
other player becomes the defence.The defending
player tries to intercept the ball. If successful
then passes twice to team mates, receives ball in
goal circle and shoots. 1 pt for a successful
shot. Once this shot at goal has been made
whether successful or unsuccessful the ball is
returned to the passer.ExtensionPasser calls
out two numbers and the players in each team work
together to pass to team mates and shoot
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
21
Shooting
Drive and shoot
Objective  To practice shooting.No. of
Players  any numberArea  Goal 1/3 of the
netball courtEquipment 1 ballPlayers A and
B run into the goad circle. X passes to either A
or B. Whoever takes the pass shoots. The other
player defends the shot and rebounds. A and B
return to the back of the line and the next
players have turn. Important that once player
receives that ball they regain good body balance
before taking the shot. 3 seconds to shoot.
X
22
Shooting
Shooting Bingo
2
3
1
4
Objective  To practice shooting.No. of
Players  any numberArea  Goal 1/3 of the
netball courtEquipment 1 Ball per player,
chalk or dots Various dots or numbers are marked
in the goal circle. The players must score a goal
from each marked spot to complete their bingo.
As a variation other players can defend the shot.
23
Shooting
Shooting relay
Objective  To practice shooting.No. of
Players  any number in pairsArea  Goal 1/2
of the netball courtEquipment 1 Ball The
ball is placed in the centre circle. On go the
pair runs to collect the ball passing between
them (noting correct footwork) into the circle
before taking 1 shot. They then pass back to the
centre circle and the next pair go. The pair with
the most goals in wins.
24
Turning
Bumper Cars
Objective  To pivot / turn to avoid bumping
into other players.No. of Players  Whole
group in pairsArea  A 1/3 of the netball
courtEquipment NilPlayers in pairs,
standing side by side join hands in front. The
players move freely around and try to avoid
bumping into each other. The players must pivot
together quickly to avoid bumping into other
'cars'.Extensions  Change the tempo and
decrease the space
25
Turning
Sargent Jumping
Objective  To develop turning in the air and
landing balanced.No. of Players  Whole
groupArea  One 1/3 of the netball court or
smaller Equipment NilSet up in lines all
facing the same way, bounce (jump) twice on the
spot then turn 1/4 turn landing balanced, bounce
twice then turn back to the front. Two bounces
then 1/2 turn to the left, two bounces then turn
back to face the front. Two bounces then 3/4 turn
to the left, two bounces then turn back to the
front. Two bounces then full turn, two bounces
then back to face the front.Then practice to
the right.
Face same way
26
Turning
Follow on from Sargent Jumping
Objective  To develop turning in the air and
landing balanced.No. of Players  Whole
groupArea  One 1/3 of the netball court or
smaller Equipment BallPlayers stand in a
line down the court. Pass the ball down the left
side, as the player catches the ball the turn in
the air and land facing the next player in the
line. Next time pass down the other side. (Could
practice in pairs first throwing to the side
catching and turning in the air before doing it
down a line.
27
Turning
Pivot
A
Objective  To develop catching, pivoting and
passing.No. of Players  In groups of
3Area  One 1/3 of the netball court or
smaller Equipment 1 ball per 3 Player A
passes to the right of player B who catches,
pivots on her right foot (the outside one) to
face player C. Player C passes to the right of
player B who catches, pivots on her right foot to
face player A. Repeat passing to the other side.
Switch running player to one of the passing
positions and repeat. (Teach head up, body
balanced, knees bed, weight over foot pivoting
on)
B
C
28
Centre Pass
WA
C
GS
GA
X
OBJECTIVE  TO PROVIDE OPTIONS ON ATTACK AT THE
CENTRE PASS.NO. OF PLAYERS  6 PLAYERSAREA 
ONE 1/2 OF THE NETBALL COURT EQUIPMENT 1
BALL, BIBS FOR DEFENDERS6 PLAYERS SET UP AT
EACH END OF THE COURT AND PRACTICE THIS CENTRE
PASS SEQUENCE. ONCE A SHOT IS TAKEN THE GS RUNS
THE BALL BACK TO THE CENTRE CIRCLE, BECOMES THE
NEW CENTRE AND EVERYONE ROTATES AROUND ONE
POSITION.THE GA RECEIVES THE CENTRE PASS AND
THEN PIVOTS TO PASS TO THE WA WHO IS DRIVING
TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE GOAL CIRCLE. THE GS WORKS
TO GET FREE TO RECEIVE THE PASS FROM THE WA IN A
GOOD SHOOTING POSITION
29
Centre Pass
WA
X
C
GS
GA
OBJECTIVE  TO PROVIDE OPTIONS ON ATTACK AT THE
CENTRE PASS.NO. OF PLAYERS  6 PLAYERSAREA 
ONE 1/2 OF THE NETBALL COURT EQUIPMENT 1
BALL, BIBS FOR DEFENDERS6 PLAYERS SET UP AT
EACH END OF THE COURT AND PRACTICE THIS CENTRE
PASS SEQUENCE. ONCE A SHOT IS TAKEN THE GS RUNS
THE BALL BACK TO THE CENTRE CIRCLE, BECOMES THE
NEW CENTRE AND EVERYONE ROTATES AROUND ONE
POSITION.THE WA RECEIVES THE CENTRE PASS AND
THEN PIVOTS TO PASS TO THE GS WHO IS DRIVING OUT
OF THE GOAL CIRCLE. THE GA DRIVES INTO THE CIRCLE
TO GET THE PASS IN A GOOD POSITION TO SHOOT.
30
Court Balance
Corner Ball
Objective  To develop spatial awareness.No.
of Players  2 teams of 4 - 6 playersArea  A
netball court Equipment 1 ball, bibs, 4 hoops
or chalkDivide the players into two teams. 
Players are allocated a third of the court that
they will play in. The game is started with a
toss up in the centre circle of the court between
two opposing players. The team that wins the toss
is on attack.The attacking team pass the ball
around attempting to get the ball to either of
their players in the hoops in opposite corners.
The defending team attempt to win loose ball,
take an intercept or create errors and if
successful they then pass the ball to either of
their players in the hoops. When a ball is
successfully caught by a player in the hoop the
ball is returned to the centre circle and a toss
up starts the game again.
31
Court Balance
Find the space
OBJECTIVE  HOW TO HELP YOUR PLAYERS AVOID THE
CLUTTER AND USE SPACE.NO. OF PLAYERS  6
PLAYERSAREA  ONE 1/3 OF THE NETBALL COURT
DIVIDED INTO 3EQUIPMENT 1 BALL, BIBS FOR
DEFENDERS, CONES OR CHALKONE DEFENDER STANDS IN
EACH AREA AS INDICATED. THE THREE ATTACKERS START
ON ONE SIDELINE AND MUST MAKE THREE(3) PASSES IN
EACH AREA WHILE MAINTAINING POSSESION OF THE
BALL.THE DEFENDER ONLY PLAYS IN THEIR AREA. 
THE ATTACKERS ARE TRYING TO GET TO THE OPPOSITE
SIDELINE WITHOUT A TURNOVER. THE ATTACKERS SCORE
ONE POINT FOR GETTING THE BALL THROUGH EACH AREA
WITHOUT A TURNOVER.  MAXIMUM 3 POINTS. THE
DEFENDERS SCORE 2 POINTS FOR A TURNOVER.
32
Brain Gym
Players line up evenly on 3 points of the
triangle Red passes to her right (yellow) and
runs to the back of the team on her left
(blue) The yellow player then passes to her right
(blue) and runs to the back of the team on her
left (red) etc When theyve got the hang of it
switch directions. Pass to the left, run to the
right
33
Brain Gym
Players are divided into 4 groups and stand on
the points of a square. The red players at the
front of the line start with the ball. The blue
players at the front of the line move to the
centre and take a pass from the red player on
their right hand side. They pass to the blue
player in front of them then keep running
forward and join the back that line. The front
red players then move to the middle, take a pass
from the blue player on their right, pass to the
red player in front of them and run to the back
of that line. It pays to walk this through first.
34
Brain Gym
X
X

• 2 players start as the catchers (red) the rest of
  the players are divided into to lines facing the
  catchers. Green players start with 1 ball each.
• Green passes to red
• Green moves forward to X
• Red passes to green and they pass back to red
• Green players then switch to the other X (facing
  the other red catcher)
• Red passes to Green and they pass back to Red
• Red player then does a little pop pass, Green
  moves forward to catch it and takes Reds spot.
  Red runs to the back of the line and Greens
  become the catchers.
• Start again
• Walking through is a good idea. It is important
  that the players time their passes and switching.

35
Brain Gym

• In and Out. An oldie but a goodie!
• Blue starts with the ball passes to yellow and
  moves into the centre of the circle as yellow
  passes to green and moves to take blues spot. The
  player in the middle then passes to the next
  player in the circle and it continues.
• Extension
• Change direction
• Have to players in the centre of the circle back
  to back both passing and moving

36
Brain Gym
1
2
3
4

• Moving on to the ball into space to take a pass.
• Players are dived into 4 teams and line up behind
  a point on a square. Player 1 starts ½ way along
  the top edge of the square.
• She passes to ½ way along the next side of the
  square and follows her pass to join the back of
  the line that player 2 came from. Player 2 runs
  into the space to take the catch and passes it to
  the next line on the square (passes follow the
  thin arrows).