LSC: Basic Skills in Netball Senior One

Basic Skills in Netball

Introduction

Netball is one of the ball games that involves catching and passing. It is played by both boys and girls throughout the world. Although there are still no men’s team, the game is played by two teams; each team has 7 players on court.

This chapter empowers you to make improvised netball balls from locally available materials and perform basic techniques of the game of netball with consideration of safety.

Netball equipment

You will need balls to practise the techniques used in the game of netball in addition to a well demarcated court and goal posts. The standard ball is made of rubber, leather or similar material. It weighs 400 – 450 g, and measures 690 – 710 mm in circumference.

Fig. 9.1 below shows the variety of balls that can be used to practice netball skills. Fig. 9.1 b and c are examples of improvised balls which can be used in an event that you have no access to ball in Fig. 9.1 a., especially back home during community activities. It is therefore important that you learn how to make an improvised ball.

Safety precaution to be considered

For safety, the following measures should be considered:

• Put on appropriate and comfortable sportswear.
• Keep your finger nails short.
• Avoid wearing jewellery.
• Keep field of play free from sharp objects.
• Follow the netball rules of fair play.
• Do proper warm-up and cool-down.
• Ensure enough rest and re-hydration.

Basic Skills Used in Netball

In order to play netball, you will need to be able to perform the following basic skills or techniques:

i) Catching

ii) Passing: chest pass, underarm pass, overhead pass, single-handed shoulder pass, bounce pass.

iii) Foot work:

• Single foot landing leading to: pivot and throw, jump and throw, step and throw.
• Two feet landing leading to: pivot and throw, deciding the landing foot, stop and throw, jump and throw.

iv) Shooting: single-handed shooting, two-handed shooting.

v) Basic offensive and defensive skills in a game situation.

Catching and passing techniques

Catching and throwing is the art of passing and moving the ball from one player to another. It includes the following:

i) Catching high or low balls

ii) Overhead pass

iii) chest pass

iv) under arm pass

v) shoulder pass

vi) bounce pass

Catching: This is the way you receive a ball either from a teammate or an opponent

How to Perform the Skill

Eyes on the ball.

• Judge flight and speed of the ball.
• Arms fully stretched, reach out towards the ball.
• Hands and fingers spread out, thumbs at the back to prevent the ball from slipping through.
• Fully stretch arms to take either a high or low ball.
• Let hands be in line of flight of the throw.
• Give cushioning effect through your body and arms to cope with power and pace of throw.
• Follow through to ensure strong balance.
• Drop one foot backwards to cope with pace of throw.

If you are catching the ball, move towards and not away from it.

Catching a Ball at Chest Level

• Look at the direction from which the ball is coming.
• Arms reach out for the ball.
• Fingers slightly spread.
• Thumbs towards each other so that the arms form a funnel to prevent the ball from slipping though the fingers.
• The trunk should be flexed so that you can absorb the force of the ball.
• As the ball falls into your hands, secure it and draw it towards your body

Catching High Balls

Look at the direction from which the ball is coming.

• Hands and wrists face each other and at the base almost touching each other.
• The fingers are spread forming a sort of a basket.
• Arms reach out for the ball and as the ball falls into the basket.

Catching Low Balls

• Look at the direction from which the ball is coming.
• Little fingers point each other almost touching each other.
• Elbows against the body.
• Fingers slightly spread and forming sort of a shovel.
• On receiving the ball, the arms flex and the ball is brought towards the body.

Passing

This is the way you move the ball to your teammates.

Overhead Pass

How to Perform the Skill

• Spread your fingers around the ball but don’t let it rest on your palms. Bend your arms and try and keep your elbows close to your body.
• Lift the ball over your head and allow it to drop back slightly—this will give you a little extra push as you release the ball.
• Put one foot forward as this will help you lean into the pass.
• Aim between your teammate’s head and their chest. This should help them to catch the ball easily.
• Give the ball a little push upwards by getting your whole body weight behind it.
• Do not forget to stretch out your arms and fingertips upon release.

Chest Pass

The chest pass is the quickest, most accurate and most efficient way of getting the ball around the court. As well as getting the ball into the attacking zone, the pass is often used at throw-ins.

How to Perform the Skill

• Your hands should form a W behind the ball. Bring your thumbs together in the centre with your forefingers and other fingers comfortably spread out. Always keep the ball close to your chest.

• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees slightly. This usually provides the best balance and helps prepare for quick movements.

• When making a pass, step forward with one foot. This will help you get energy from the floor as you push through with the ball.

• As you step forward, try and use the momentum you gain from the ground to add extra power to the pass—the faster the ball travels, the less likely it is to be intercepted by an enterprising opposing player. Keep your elbows close to your body and push through with the ball.

• Keep pushing through the ball and at the point of maximum power, release it, straightening your arms and fingers. Keep your wrists pointed upwards to help fully extend your arms.

• Keep following through the ball with your whole body. Keep your eye on the receiver. If you are catching the ball, move towards but not away from it.

Underarm Pass

This is a short quick pass used to dodge a high ball interception.

How to Perform the Skill

• Hold the ball in one or both hands below the waist level (if a ball is above the waist but below the shoulder, it is a side/bullet pass).
• Release the ball as it is swung towards the target.
• Transfer body weight forward.
• Extend your arm towards the target.

Shoulder Pass

This is a pass used to pass a ball over a long distance.

How to Perform the Skills

• Shoulder passes are thrown one-handed, s o make sure you have got a steady grip on the ball. Control it with both hands and bring it up to shoulder level. Your elbow should be positioned at right angles to the shoulder.

• Place your throwing hand behind the ball with your fingers spread. You will get more power if you move your opposite foot in front of your body

• Bend the knees slightly to give maximum control over your weight distribution, and to provide the opportunity to “spring” out of the position once the pass is made.

• To get maximum power behind this pass, you need to fully straighten your arm.
• Follow through with your entire arm, right down to your fingertips, and transfer all weight onto your front foot.

• Aim to point your fingers in the same direction as the pass. Keep your head up and your eye on the receiver.

Bounce Pass

This techniques is used to pass a ball over a short distance given.

How to Perform the Skill

• Hold the ball firmly in both hands at chest height, elbows in, thumbs behind the ball.
• Make sure that you are fully in control of your balance and your fingers are pointing towards the floor of the court.
• Stand with one of your feet forward and bend your knees slightly as you make the pass.

• You need to release the ball from waist height. Use the power from your arms and knees as you push the ball forward. Use the distance from your chest to your waist to give the ball as much power as needed in the situation.

• Flick the wrists and fingers at the point of release to add a final powerful push to the ball.

• Aim the ball just over halfway between you and the receiver.
• Extend your arms as you make the pass to keep the ball on the right path and bend your knees to retain balance.