Best Netball Drills For Juniors 07-11 Years

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As a junior netball player, it is important to keep in mind that practice makes perfect. To enhance your game, it is crucial to master the fundamental skills of netball through regular and consistent training. There are various netball drills available for every aspect of the game, including shooting and conditioning, which can help in developing these skills.

Below, you will find netball drills suitable for beginner juniors, followed by some drills that are more suitable for advanced juniors.

Key Takeaways

– The B.E.E.F. acronym can be used to teach shooting techniques to beginners.

– Start with small bean bags to teach catching and passing skills.

– The ICE CREAM game helps teach players not to step during a game.

– Running to positions and calling out their names can help players learn different positions on the court.

NETBALL DRILLS FOR JUNIORS – BEGINNERS

For juniors who are just starting in netball, learning to shoot can be quite challenging. However, it can be made easier and more enjoyable by using the popular acronym B.E.E.F. First, let the players become familiar with the actions without the ball. Then, when they feel comfortable with the technique, they can add the ball.

B stands for Balance: Make sure your legs are steady by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your feet should be pointing toward the goal.

E stands for Eyes: Imagine that something is floating just above the ring and aim for that as you shoot.

E stands for Elbow: Extend your arms close to your ear, with your elbows facing the ring. When you bend your arms backward, make sure your elbows maintain the same position before releasing the ball.

F stands for Follow Through: Extend your elbow and flick your wrist as you release the ball and shoot for the net.

CATCHING AND PASSING

Catching and passing drills for junior netball players should begin by teaching them the proper technique for catching and passing the ball. To make it easier, start with small bean bags instead of regular balls.

Have the players form a circle and pass the bean bags to their left and right, as if they were passing balls, aiming for chest height. Repeat this process a few times before introducing the actual ball.

Initially, focus on the accuracy of the passes by keeping the distance between players small. As they progress, they will naturally develop the strength needed for stronger passes.

STEPPING NETBALL DRILLS FOR JUNIOR NETBALLERS

The ICE CREAM game is a popular and fun netball drill that helps teach junior players not to step during a game. The players line up along the baseline and are asked to run until a whistle is blown.

When the whistle is heard, the players must do a low jump (as if jumping over a puddle) and land on one foot with slightly bent knees while shouting ‘I.C.E..’ Then, as the back foot comes down, they yell ‘CREAM’ while pivoting on the grounded foot ‘I.C.E..’

This will help them remember to keep the first foot on the ground.

POSITIONING DRILLS

all players, the first step to improving their game is to understand and practice proper positioning on the court. Positioning drills will help them learn where they should be on the court at different times during a game.

One drill you can try is the ‘Spot Drill.’ Place cones or markers on the court to represent different positions, such as goal shooter, goal attack, center, wing attack, wing defense, goal defense, and goalkeeper. Have the players run to each spot when you call it out, practicing getting to the right position quickly.

Another drill is the ‘Shadow Drill’. Pair players up and have one player act as the shadow, mimicking the movements of the other player. This drill helps players understand how to position themselves in relation to their opponent.

MOVEMENT

To teach basic movement, you can form two teams by having the players line up in two parallel lines at the baseline. Then, call out different movements and have a member from each team perform that movement up and down the court before returning to their place in line. This game is not only fun, but it also serves as a great warm-up and refresher drill.

NETBALL DRILLS FOR JUNIORS – ADVANCED

HAND WARM-UP DRILLS

Start by having the players pair up and stand about 3-4 meters apart. One player will have the ball while the other player keeps their hands down by their side.

The player with the ball will chest pass it to the player with their hands at their side. The player without the ball can only move their hands once the ball is in the air and the pass is in progress.

This drill not only warms up the hands but also helps improve reaction times. It’s a great way to get ready for a game of netball!

LEG WARM-UP DRILLS

Your legs will bear the brunt of the impact and strain during a game of netball, so it is crucial to warm them up before playing. Instruct the players to create two parallel lines, approximately 5 meters apart, at the end of the court.

The player at the front of the line selects a leg warm-up exercise and performs it up the court. They then jog back to the starting point, and the entire group repeats the exercise. Afterward, it’s the next person’s turn in line to choose a warm-up, and this continues until everyone has had a chance.

SHOOTING NETBALL DRILLS FOR JUNIORS

Shooting netball drills for juniors who have more advanced skills should focus on shooting while facing a defender. Divide the players into pairs, with one person acting as the shooter and the other as the defender.

Each pair will need a netball ball and a netball post. The shooter’s goal is to make a shot despite the defender’s arms successfully. Once the shooter has made 10 successful shots, the players can switch positions and start again.

DEFENCE

Get at least seven players to form a circle, with two additional teammates in the middle. The players in the circle must pass the ball to each other, calling out the name of the person they are passing to.

The teammates in the middle need to try and intercept the ball while it is being passed. If the ball is intercepted, the player who passed it must switch places with the person who intercepted it.

FOOTWORK

This drill is excellent for improving footwork. To set it up, have the players form two circles – one inside the other – with a radius of 9 meters. Instruct the players in the inner circle to run clockwise while the players in the outer circle run counterclockwise.

During the game, when the coach or another person not participating yells ‘JAILBREAK,’ the members of the inner circle must try to escape. Each time a member of the inner circle successfully escapes, they earn points. This drill is a great way to promote fast footwork and agility.

Best Netball Drills For Juniors – 07 – 11 Years