Small Games
No.1 - 6 Passing
The Set Up: 6 players working with 1 ball in a 3rd of the court. Players number themselves 1 to 6.
The Game: Practicing movement, spacing and accurate feeding. Players pass the ball in number order. Players to move around within the 3rd so driving forward when it’s their turn to receive the pass and clear out of the space when not needed. This helps provide space in the area. All players should be moving at all times.
Progression 1: Players add a change of direction before they catch the ball.
Progression 2: Players to signal for the ball so clear where the ball is to the be fed.
Progression 3: Making the game competitive.
The Set Up: Teams of 6 players working with 1 ball per team in next door 3rds.
The Game: Players number themselves 1 to 6 in each of the teams. Players pass the ball in that order (See Small Game No.2). Once the ball gets to Team A’s No.6, she then passes it to Team B’s No.1 and they continue passing. Team B’s No.6 passes to Team A’s no. 1 and they continue to pass. The aim is to try and make the other team work with 2 balls in their 3rd at one.
Scoring: A point is scored when a team has not ball to work with
Progression 4: If 3 teams working in each 3rd of the court, teacher to stand in middle of sideline so can pass ball between team 3 No.6 and Team 1 No.1.
Progression 5: Player 6 from each team to become a defender in another teams 3rd. Attackers are now working between 1 – 5. The defenders aim is to disrupt play.
Teaching Points
- Start the players off with the basic elements of just passing and catching and then slowly add the different elements into the practice
- The practice can be used as a modified game to practice any of the skills included in your session i.e moving towards the ball or footwork
- Other ways to use this practice can be:-
- Teaching spacing – the ball passes down the court in an order i.e 1 to 7 so by knowing who you should receive from and pass to will help with court linkage
- To practice moving on to the ball; changing direction; dodging; signalling for the ball
- Allow players to practice attacking moves with defenders (less defenders than attackers to start with)
- Practicing all netball skills in a competitive situation
- To have fun
Common Errors:-
- Trying to add too much into the practice too quickly – every time you add a new element to the practice, allow players to have time to work with this element before adding a new one
No.2 - 3 v 3
The Set Up: 2 teams of 3 – 4 players working with 1 ball each in 1/3 of the court. The sidelines become goal lines.
The Game: The aim is for teams to pass the ball over the goal line and touch the ball on to the floor without it being intercepted. At first the only rule given is:-
- If player with the ball is touched, they must release the ball, ideally to your own team
Rules are then added slowly depending on your group:-
- Must obey the footwork rule (the touch rule does therefore not apply
- Add boundaries to the court and introduce the ‘throw in’ rule
- 3 seconds to make a pass
- Man to Man marking
This is a great way to introduce the game of netball to players, to re introduce the game and also a way of having a fun but still concentrating on specific rules. If you can get 2 pupils to umpire the new rules as they are added this also benefits their knowledge of the game.
No.3 - Basic Courtline
The Set Up: 7 players wearing court bibs. Players to set up down the court in the correct order from a back line pass.
The Game: Concentrating on bringing the ball down the court to the shooter. Players take on the central line of the court and one by one they run forward to receive a straight, flat pass. They turn in the air or land and pivot to face the next player. The shooter receives the pass and takes the shot and goes for the rebound.
Players to concentrate on their timing, direct feeding and footwork.
Common Errors:-
- Feed is too loopy
- Players go too early so not receiving the ball on the run
- Players not balanced before they make the next pass
No.4 - Courtline Run in’s
The Set Up: 7 players wearing court bibs. Players to set up down the court in the correct order from a back line pass.
The Game: Concentrating on bringing the ball down the court to the shooter. Players line up nearer one side line of the court. They run into the middle of the court to receive the pass, turn in the air OR land and pivot to face down the court ready to step in to the pass. The shooter receives the pass and takes the shot and goes for the rebound.
Players to concentrate on their timing and direct feeding in-front of the moving player
Progression 1: Courtline Alternate Run in’s - Players to run in from alternative sides of the court.
Progression 2: Courtline Change of Direction - Players run in to the middle of the court, push off from their inside leg and change direction to receive the pass.
Progression 3: Add defenders to the players so they have to decide whether to sprint or sprint and change direction – make sure defenders passive at first as confidence builds.
Common Errors:-
- Players move too early
- Feed is not far enough in-front of the moving player
- Feeder passes the ball before gaining balance
No.5 - 6 Passes to Score
The Set Up: 2 teams of 4 players and 1 umpire. Players working in half a 3rd each OR use a badminton court if available. 3 attackers in each team and 1 defender who starts in the opponents half of the court.
The Game: The attackers must pass the ball a minimum 6 times within their boundaries as the defender attempts to intercept. To score, attackers must pass the ball to their defender who is in the opponents half. If they successfully receive the ball, they gain a point. The ball is then passed to team B. If the ball is intercepted by the defender, they pass the ball to their attackers who start the 6 passes.
Progression 1: add more defenders to put greater pressure on the attackers.
Progression 2: the umpire ensures all rules are adhered to ie footwork, boundaries and 0.9m.
Teaching Points
- Set out clear boundaries for players to work in – a badminton court is a good size, depending on the numbers of players you have working
- The younger the player, the larger the space they will need to work and be successful
- Always start with only 1 defender so the attacking play is successful
- Only add additional defenders when attackers have been successful 5 times
- A great game to help quick passing, decision making, team work, passing under pressure, moving for the square ball and all round netball skills
- Add an additional player to umpire the game concentrating on staying within the boundaries as well as other netball rules depending on what aspects you, as the coach/teacher, are concentrating on. This will also help players learn the rules themselves and therefore becoming better players
Common Errors:-
- Trying to add too much into the practice too quickly – every time you add a new element to the practice, allow players to have time to work with this element before adding a new one
No.6 - 1st to Score
The Set Up: 2 teams of between 4 and 7 players. Each team to work on half the court each and are not allowed into the other half. Both teams start behind the base line at opposite ends of the court.
The Game: Each team is to be the first team to get the ball to the other end of the court and score a goal. Rules are added so players need to concentrate on more than just the end result.
Rule 1: the same pass must be used for each pass otherwise the ball must be taken back to the beginning
Rule 2: everyone must catch the ball before a shot is attempted.
Rule 3: adhere to the footwork rule.
Rule 4: players must be running towards the pass when receiving.
The aim is for players to work out team tactics to ensure they succeed in the above tasks. This is a fun practice and great for building team work and understanding of how to work the ball efficiently down the court.
Teaching Points
- Once everyone is offay with the practice, start adding more technical elements to the practice so allowing players to perfect each one individually
- Ensure footwork is adhered too throughout the practice
- Add an 8th player to each side to umpire the different rules as they are added, this will help umpiring as well as ensuring rules are adhered to
Common Errors:-
- Players are not allowed to have fun with the practice before the rules are set
