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My U11's are playing an agressive team in our Grand Final. They physically hurt my team who come off, upset and even crying during the match. They make use of elbows, stepping on toes, bumping etc. How do I help my team find the confidence in playing such a team??
Louise McCallumCoach, Australia
ANSWERS
Joanne BakerCoach, Australia
Congratulations for making a Grand final. For a start the coach on the other team isn`t a coach for letting her players do it. My team are under 14`s and we made the grand final as well. Well confidence your not lacking cause you made a Grand final. It`s more to the point your girls overcoming being threaten or intimidated so my advice would be don`t retaliate don`t stoop to their level . Play your natural game that got you to the GF and certainly don`t be scared to bring it to the umpires attention if the opposition conduct is malaise and overbearing. After all if you can see it surely the umpires can see that there is u towards play on the court. I hope this helps and good luck to you and your team.
Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia
Have a good chat about all the types of behaviours that they are about to encounter, and as said above, make sure they girls don`t stoop to their level, or show that what they say or do bothers them, as that is the behaviour of the types of players they don`t wish to be like, and it shows a real lack of skill as they are nto confident to use their footwork to get to the ball instead they use dirty tactics. Talk to them about standing their ground and do some drills where you get a bit pushing with them so they can learn to not be intimidated by it. Netball is a contact sport and they will have to get use that part in years to come. When the opposition uses their elbows or tries to trip ect, after the pass has been taken, have them turn and nicely say, "i would really prefer if you didn`t use your elbows to get to the ball, you use your footwork"..this could be said with most of the things that is being done against them.
Pick out your captain carefully for the game, as they will be the only ones who will be able to bring these issues to the umpires attention. They will be a player that has the confidence to approach the umpire in a calm and confident manner to discuss the issues (if any) you have during the game. Have them speak to the umpire before the game to let them know that there have been issues in previous games with this team and if she could keep an eye out. If the umpire is not controlling it, then you can go to the umpiring conveyer and ask for them to watch the game too.
good luck in the GF.
