Is coaching in small groups a good idea?

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

this is a technique i have used on a number of occasions, as different positions require different skills. i also break up based on what they need to work on most, ie footwork, catching, or shooting for example, and work on turning their weaknesses into strengths. you do have to be careful about doing this on a regular basis, as the whole point about team sports like netball, is that they need to be able to work together as a team as well as improving their own individual skills. you also have to consider the age of the players, as young players can benefit about learning about shooting or defense skills even though that is not going to be their regular position. it enables them to be more of an all round player.

So to answer your question, it is a good idea, if it is an occasional coaching technique to strength a skill or teamwork, or if you are going to do it as a rotating exercise and everyone will get a go at each positional exercise.

Janet Coach, Australia

All the basic netball skills need to be coached to all players regardless of position but sometimes individuals may have to work on some aspects more than others. Goal circle work can include practice by players in those positions but also they also need to learn how the feeds and down court set ups lead into what they need to do. The only players I will regularly single out for small group practice are goalies so they can practice technique for some of the training session but only for a short time. If they are motivated to improve shooting technique this should mostly be done in their own time. I agree with Lee-anne that once a week training sessions should be mostly as a team and individual skills/rotations planned into team activities when necessary. If you decide to have smaller groups it is a good idea to have a mix of better skilled and less skilled players in each group activity (rather than limiting practices to positions)which gives the less skilled good examples to follow and learn from.