Tips for coaching ball skills to 8 year olds

Tips for coaching ball skills to 8 year olds

I'm coaching ball skills to 8 year olds who have never played before. I have a good idea of sessions to run but any top tips from coaches with experience in this age group would be welcomed!

Sharon GarnerCoach, England
TOP ANSWER
Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

the most important things to teach them is catching correctly.  arms out to meet the ball.  having their hands in the correct position to catch it (fingers spread outwide, and back so not to break them, and hands in a W shape) and pull the ball into their body for protection and the pass.  teach them to keep their eye on the ball at all times, and to have their hands in a position that helps protect their face.

also work on being balanced when catching the ball, particularly if moving, and teach them always run to the ball at this age and land 2 footed so as not to have to think too hard about grounded feet.

hope that helps.

ANSWERS
Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

the most important things to teach them is catching correctly.  arms out to meet the ball.  having their hands in the correct position to catch it (fingers spread outwide, and back so not to break them, and hands in a W shape) and pull the ball into their body for protection and the pass.  teach them to keep their eye on the ball at all times, and to have their hands in a position that helps protect their face.

also work on being balanced when catching the ball, particularly if moving, and teach them always run to the ball at this age and land 2 footed so as not to have to think too hard about grounded feet.

hope that helps.

Sharon GarnerCoach, England

Thanks so much, it looks like I'm on the right track, that's really great to know. 

Netball CoachCoach

Catching is very important, also passing.  Try and teach them to pass where the player is headed, not where they have been.  A good drill for this is pairing up the girls and letting them pass up and down the court to each other (using grounded feet) and chest passes at this stage.

rosi Player, Fiji

yeah in netball catching & passing is very important.You could teach them to run up to the ball with hands stretched out to catch the ball, running up is making sure that they receive the ball and it is not intercepted....passing the ball on the other hand .one ball handling you should try and teach them is chest passing ....when ding chest passing the pressure come from the chest and the ball goes straight to the person you`re passing to...that the ball is not intercepted by the opponent ....

thnx I hope that would help..

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