visual ball watching drills

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

this is a common problem no matter what age the kids are...staying focussed on the game rather than chatting to their opponent or their parents.  start with speaking with the parents and let them know that you really need their help with keeping the kids focussed on the game and not them.  (ie no coaching from the sidelines unless its from you...encouragement only.) play games that are quite close in together at first where there are lots pf quick little passes that are random so they MUST stay focussed on the ball.  if they drop it then send them for a short run.  (weird how quickly they become focussed when there is a consequence).  you could then move onto a game where the girls can be running around and the person who has the ball calls out the name of another player (your deaf girl can have a visual signal she is waiting for).  you can do this in smaller groups so no one is left doing nothing.  when name called they must run from where they are towards the player with the ball.  another type of game is have the girls throwing the ball around and when you blow the whistle have the person with ball do an exercise, (hopping, jumping, skipping) and everyone has to follow.  you will quickly see who isnt watching who has the ball and is just following.   (you will probably find your deaf girl will be a lot better at watching where the ball is as that is her only cue of where the play is).