How to teach defending for 8 year olds

How to teach defending for 8 year olds

I am coaching first time players, U/8's and struggling to teach them defence. Does anyone have some basic drills to show them? I have 9 players so need drills that work with that group. Thanks.

Nerida WoodCoach, Australia
ANSWERS
Archie DunnillCoach, England

Hi Nerida,

When coaching first-time players in netball, it's important to focus on basic defensive skills such as footwork, body positioning, and intercepting passes.

Here's a good drill you could give a go. There's loads of other great drills like this that can be found under the 'Defence' category of Sportplan's netball drills.

Hope this helps.

Archie

Intercept- Hunting the Ball

DESCRIPTION
Set up: Goal 6+ players (at least 2 players at each corner) 2 lines 1 ball A player (player 1) starts out of the lines facing back at the line (line A). 1st player (player 2) in the other line (line B) drives directly out to the same distance as player 1. Player at the front of line A starts with the ball and passes the ball diagonally to the player 2 who has driven out from line B. Player 1 is to drive across to intercept the pass to player 2. If successful player 1 passes to line B and joins the line, if not, player 2 will have received the ball and passes to line B (player 1 still joins the line). Player 2 then becomes the person intercepting as another palyer drives out from line A. The process is the same but opposite lines.

Intercept- Hunting the Ball

DESCRIPTION
Set up: Goal 6+ players (at least 2 players at each corner) 2 lines 1 ball A player (player 1) starts out of the lines facing back at the line (line A). 1st player (player 2) in the other line (line B) drives directly out to the same distance as player 1. Player at the front of line A starts with the ball and passes the ball diagonally to the player 2 who has driven out from line B. Player 1 is to drive across to intercept the pass to player 2. If successful player 1 passes to line B and joins the line, if not, player 2 will have received the ball and passes to line B (player 1 still joins the line). Player 2 then becomes the person intercepting as another palyer drives out from line A. The process is the same but opposite lines.
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