How to approach pre&early season with my U11girls?

Netball CoachCoach

I found positional play with the younger girls worked extremely well.  It stops the entire team chasing the ball around the court and teaches them what the role of each player is.  Very effective in an age group where they don't understand to "spread out". Teach positions and what they do and watch the girls and their developement.  Once they have made space, they can then learn to run onto the ball and won't be crowding each other.

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

Amanda, can you advise what sort of drills or instruction you did to get the message across to the players to stop the entire team chasing the ball?

Also, while I know players should come forward for the ball and it does happen sometimes  my girls are 11.  They do have to pass over and I have found I spent so much time drilling come forward that when they have to pass over the top of players the ball falls short. This is common agmonst a big group of them so it must be something missing from my coaching.

Any help appreciated.  Thanks - Sheryl

Julie GellingCoach, Australia

I believe in this age group it is important to make sure their basic skills are good such as catching, throwing and footwork. I coach this age group and every training I do incorporates all the basic throwing styles such as chest, shoulder, bounce and lob passes. I also teach them in what instance you would use each pass. The other important thing I stress with my group is the importance of defence, that every player should defend their player down the court to put pressure on the oppositions passes. I also agree it is important to start to teach them about positional play otherwise they all tend to gravitate to the ball. I also stress in this age group to play in front of their players not to get into the habit of dropping behind their player.Regards Julie