how do i teach them to communicate on the court?

Netball CoachCoach

Hi Brooke, every drill i get my girls to do, no matter how simple it is, the girls are told they need to call eachothers name out, when they are about to receive any pass, they are to call that girls name. I have a dril where i stand them in a circle, like piggy in the middle, but two girls in the middle, one ball is needed. the girls on the circle have to pass the ball around but cannot pass to the girl directly next to them, one of the girls in the middle is to defend the player who has the ball, and the other try and intercept the pass. they have to yell out 'front' or 'back' to let eachother know which one they will do, that way, it forces them to talk, this will work great especially for the defenders in a real game. Make sure the girls on the circle dont pass until they have one of the girls defending them too. Hope this helps a little, like i said, no matter what drill you do, get them to call eachothers names. Karen

Netball CoachCoach

Heres a icebreaker that I used with my team aged mostly 15/16 years but suitable for all levels. There is no direct link to netball other than communication and team building but it great to enhance to highlight the importance of communication. The human knot... Have everyone stand facing towards each other, in a circle. Each person should be standing shoulder to shoulder. First, instruct everyone to lift their left hand and reach across to take the hand of someone standing across the circle. Next, have everyone lift their right and reach across to take the hand of another person standing across the circle. Make sure that no one is holding hands with someone standing directly beside the person. Once everyone is holding hands instruct them to untie themselves without breaking hands. It will require a lot of close personal contact to do this and is much easier to do when they communicate. I usually ask them to do without talking and allow 5 or so minutes (time it) after the allocated time stop them and have a team chat, what was hard, how could they do better at it etc. Then have them do it again but this time with talking, you will find they work much faster/easier and natural leaders will show. You may need to calm the group as this can cause of lot of laughter and chitter. this is a good way to start a session,then every drill there after encourage talk, use of names, signals etc. good luck