How do i teach my 10/11 yr girls court balance

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

damn computer, ate my response.

i think we have all had to teach this one.  this is what i have done, but im sure others would have more ideas.

firstly, using at least half the court to whole court (depending on the number of kids and the strength of their passes) zig zagging down both side lines and have the ball down one end.  object to break and catch using mainly the center of the court for passes.  then return to original position.  this shows them what space feels like.  once they are are flowing with this, then put in a couple of defenders. (concentrate on strong breaks, and not breaking too early, running onto the ball, and strong passes in front of the running player)

i also like to remind them what crowding feels like, so i put the entire team in the goal circle (or a marked area) and tell them to pass the ball around while breaking and moving.  i then like to play a game where everyone is allowed everywhere on the court but they have to abide by one rule.  there is only allowed to be a certain number of players in each third while the ball is in there.  when they break the rule they all have to go for a run.  keeps them focussed on the ball more.  make sure its a rule thats hard to keep like only 2 per third or something.  the rule can be different for each third as well if they get use it.

as for game day, i yell a lot of "spread outs" and i also teach my WA to go no higher than the center circle, the GA to be between the top of the goal circle and the transverse line, and the GS to be on the top of the circle, while the ball is in the defence half, and they arent to go any further (unless they are chasing a missed pass) than that until the defence team has brought it into the center third and got to the center circle.  then the defence is to hold back and allow the attack team to take over.

hope that helps.