Skills for 11 year old daughter, who is just starting out.

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

this depends on a few things..are you just wanting to improve her cordination skills to feel more confident in playing, or will you be able to correct basic technique, and how coordinated she is already.  if you are just wanting to give her some basic one on one time together, then just basic chest passes, and shoulder passes are fine.  dont worry about footwork correction if you dont know what you are looking for.  but do encourage her to catch the ball with her hands well out in front.  if she is not confident catching at all yet, then just bounce the ball between the two of you concentrating on her catching the ball with arms outstretched and pointing away from each other.  once she is catching confidently then, just get her moving from side to side and catching the ball with both feet on the ground.  the movement should only be one or two steps from side to side.  and then also running towards you and catching and landing with both feet on the ground.  the other main technique to learn is just pivoting.  so throw the ball between each other using shoulder or chest passes, and then pivot once you have the ball (this is when you turn on the ball of one foot in either direction).

im assuming you dont have a lot of netball experience yourself, so dont try and correct her technique as you could be teaching her the wrong thing.  encourage her to read through the rules manual (you can find it online) and if there is anything you dont understand, either ask her coach, or us on here.  also make sure your daughter knows that even if you have shown her a technique, if her coach shows her something different, then her coach is the one that is to be followed.  (a coaches worst nightmare is a parent who coaches their own child and then bags the coach).  

hope this helps and you enjoy some one on one time with your daughter, and that she has fun learning.  dont make it a chore...or she will resent doing it.  just be there for fun.

Graeme PulhamReferee, New Zealand

Hi Casey, I work with the 11 to 13 year old age group - for new players I use a wall to work on power and catching as well as jump and turn. Have your daughter stand about 4 metres from a wall then step into her pass at the wall. The throw should be at head height. She then cathes, then pivots and passes to you. This progresses to throw at the wall and jump with mid-air turn to return to you. The wall can also be used by running alongside and bouncing off it to simulate running passing down court. This will help with power and catching skills. Cheers.