How do you get girls to not be afraid of the ball and be more aggresive?

Netball CoachCoach

My team of under 9's also struggle with this. So far I have been drilling them with coming forward and snatching the ball out of the air. This works for some but most are still retreating from it.

We have been getting beaten quite badly most weeks which led to some apathy but last week I managed to gee them up a bit. I insisted on THEM encouraging each other on the court and discussed determination (using the Tour De France as an example). A couple of girls started some verbal encouragement and throughout the game it became contageous. By the end of the game they were buzzing and drew 8-8 with a team that beat us last round 23-1.

Hopefully this can continue!

Nicola WhiteCoach, Australia

Had the same problem with my under 9s. A drill that they loved and turned them into warriors was.... Divide the girls into two groups, one on the base line and the other on the first quarter line facing each other. The coach stands on the side line to throw the ball in and shouts randomly 2 players one from each group to run against each other to be first to get the ball. They then have to gain possession, pull the ball in close to their chests and return the ball back to the coach. You can increase the number of players running for the ball to make the more competitive and stops them being afraid of it. Hope it helps.

Netball CoachCoach

Thanks for your suggestions I will try to do them both.

Eddie JanmaatCoach, Australia

Try using a toss-up between girls of similar heights. Another is to practice re-bounds from a goal shot between shooters and defenders. Count successful attempts and then add new girls. Another good trick is for the coach to join in a challenge them in say running. Also try relay races. Another good one is to bounce a ball onto the wall and to catch it. Then throw higher and harder so that they can catch without bounces...

Netball CoachCoach

i coach an under 13's team and my gosh i have two players who will not even try to intercept the ball we have been doing a drill where i give them a number equal on each side and call out the number while i thorw the ball, its slowly working.