Netball: for 14 year old girls

The Super Shot has created a strategic dilemma that every shooter faces multiple times per quarter: take the two-goal attempt from range, or work the ball closer for a higher-percentage standard shot?

The answer isn't always obvious. The wrong decision - in either direction - costs goals. The best shooters develop a framework for making this choice under pressure, quickly and consistently.

The Expected Value Calculation

At its simplest, shot selection is a maths problem. Expected value equals probability of success multiplied by reward.

Super Shot example: A 50% shooter from the Super Shot zone has an expected value of 1.0 goals per attempt (0.5 x 2).

Standard shot example: An 85% shooter from under the post has an expected value of 0.85 goals per attempt (0.85 x 1).

In this scenario, the Super Shot is mathematically superior despite the lower percentage. The threshold varies by shooter, but generally: if your Super Shot percentage exceeds 42.5% of your standard percentage, the Super Shot has higher expected value.

Beyond the Maths

Pure expected value ignores important context. Several factors should influence shot selection:

Game State

Down by 6 with 2 minutes left? Aggressive Super Shot hunting is necessary - you need multiple two-goal swings to catch up. Up by 4 with 90 seconds remaining? Conservative standard shots protect the lead without gifting turnovers.

Time on the Clock

Early in Power 5, there's time to work the ball and create better opportunities. With 30 seconds left, a clean Super Shot look might be your last chance to score twice.

Defender Position

A Super Shot with no defender pressure is different from one with hands in your face. Read the defence before committing to range.

Rebounding Setup

If your GA is well-positioned for an offensive rebound, a Super Shot miss has a safety net. If not, the turnover risk increases.

The Decision Framework

Train your shooters to ask three questions before every shot during Power 5:

1. Am I balanced? A rushed or off-balance Super Shot rarely goes in. If you're not set, work closer or reset the attack.

2. What's the defence giving me? Tight defence at the edge suggests working inside. A defender who sags offers a cleaner Super Shot look.

3. What does the game need? Does the scoreboard demand risk, or reward patience? Make the decision that serves the team, not your stats.

Recognising Good vs Bad Super Shot Opportunities

Good Super Shot opportunity:

  • Clean catch in the zone with time to set
  • Defender more than arm's length away
  • Balanced stance, comfortable body position
  • Support positioned for potential rebound

Bad Super Shot opportunity:

  • Catching on the move or off-balance
  • Tight defensive pressure on the release
  • Rushed attempt with defender closing
  • No rebound support, high turnover risk

Training Shot Selection

Decision drills. Coach feeds ball to shooter in Super Shot zone with varied defensive pressure. Shooter must call "shot" or "work" instantly. Rewards for correct decisions based on pre-defined criteria.

Game state scenarios. Set up specific situations - down 4 with 1 minute left, up 2 with 3 minutes remaining - and let shooters practice decision-making in context.

Video review. Analyse Super Shot attempts from training and matches. Was the decision correct? Was the execution the problem, or the choice?

Team-Level Strategy

Shot selection shouldn't be purely individual. Teams should develop guidelines:

  • Which shooter has the best Super Shot percentage? She gets priority on long-range attempts.
  • At what score margin do we become aggressive/conservative with Super Shots?
  • When do we deliberately work for Super Shot opportunities vs standard shots?

These guidelines reduce decision burden on individuals and create consistency across the team.

The Discipline to Pass Up Shots

Perhaps the hardest skill is passing up a Super Shot opportunity that looks tempting but isn't optimal. Shooters are trained to shoot - resisting that instinct requires discipline.

Frame it positively: passing up a 35% Super Shot for an 80% standard shot isn't weakness - it's smart netball. The best shooters have the confidence to decline bad opportunities.

Evolving Your Approach

Track your shooters' conversion rates from different zones. The data should inform decision-making. If a shooter converts 60% from range, she should be hunting Super Shots. If she's at 30%, she should be more selective.

This data also helps opponents scout you. Vary your approach to remain unpredictable while staying within expected value guidelines.

Shot selection in the Super Shot era is a skill that separates good shooters from great ones. Train it deliberately, review it constantly, and trust the framework when the pressure is on.

Where to Go Next

Ready to improve your shooters' technique and decision-making? Explore our shooting drills and session plans:

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 700+ netball drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
for 14 year old girls ANSWERS
View All

How to keep training interesting but effective?

My girls are winning almost all of their games and have even moved up a grade. I am now struggling to think of ideas and ways to keep them going. Any Ideas Please????

Nicole Coach, New Zealand

Help! I'm 14 and am umpiring m...

Hello. I am a 14 year old girl. I have never umpired before, and i am expected to umpire this weekend.  I will be starting on 10-12 year olds. As you can see i dont have much experience at umpiring and i am pretty nervous that im going to stuff up or call the wrong award for the infringment that occured. I have read the Netball Australia umpiring book but some of the words are too fomral for my liking, i dont quiet undertsand. ANY TIPS PLEASE?!

Archived User Coach

Half way through season, still...

I coach a team of 14/15 year old girls and we have been placed in a higher grade than we are supposed to be in. We are half way through the season and still haven't won a game. I'm stumped for ideas of what to do and need some assistance. 

Archived User Coach

How to keep training interesti...

My girls are winning almost all of their games and have even moved up a grade. I am now struggling to think of ideas and ways to keep them going. Any Ideas Please????

Nicole Coach, New Zealand

Bullying between team-mates | ...

I am coaching girls who are in year 8 high school, so around the 13-14 age group. It has come to my attention that there is one particular girl in the team who "lords" it over one other girl at school. Tells her things that she thinks she is doing wrong and basically criticises her style of play. The girl who is being picked on was so upset she did not want to train this week and told her mother she wanted to leave the team.How do I combat this?I have already had one session with the girls about being a team and supporting each other and being better people. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears for this particular girl...

Belinda McNab Coach, Australia

Rotation formula for 9 players...

Hi I have looked and looked but cannot find a definitive answer on fair team rotation. I have a team of 13-14 year olds and there are 9 in the team.There is one girl who cannot/will not play any other position other than WA, so I am very limited with where I can place her. My theory has always been that you shouldn't make too many changes, however, these kids expect court time... How can I manage them fairly?

Belinda McNab Coach, Australia

u/14 team with no netbal exper...

I have a u/14 team with no netbal experience. I myself have never played netbal before. How do I start and what is the most important rules and patterns they need to know?

Archived User Coach

Bullying tactics on court. | S...

I coach a group of girls aged 14-16 in an intermediate division. i try and coach them so it will be their skills that will win them the game, and to play fair and skilfully. unfortunately this doesnt seem the norm. i am disappointed in the number of coaches today teaching kids to push, trip, elbow, lean, and without any regard to the fact that this is being done to children, who could get injured by their tactics. i understand, playing hard but fair, and contact is part of the game, as it is a physical game, but these a tactics that are being taught. has anyone come across this, and what is the right way to handle it, as the umpires dont seem too keen to put an end to it. (even when asked to). looking for all sides of this discussion.

Lee-annes Netball Coach, Australia

Coach comments - critical and ...

What should a player do when they are in a rep team & committed but the coach makes comments after a carnival game like ''why did they bother coming if they are going to play like that" It's rep level, so the time commitment is big for parents & players and these comments visibly affect the team morale. It's also said at the side of the court where everybody can hear. My daughters shooting gets noticeably wobbly after these pep talk. They are given no specific guidance on how to improve their technique or change their game. Good players who are not difficult have left the rep team partially because of these types of comments. It is nearing the end of rep season & I fear if my daughter speaks up now, there will be negative consequences for her & and if I speak up, I will be seen to be an interfering parent. I know coaching is a difficult gig as I have coached for several years. Granted, a good game is acknowledged, but the damage has been done. They are 13/14year old girls and generally, not too sassy. The girls train for club & rep, play an extra game for rep each Saturday, umpire & practice outside of rep training, so they are a committed team. Several of the parents in the team coach & we all find this style to be counterproductive. Any suggestions?

Maree Dee Coach, Australia

How do we teach our team that ...

Because my co-coach and I are only 15/16 years old, we are only a few years older than the girls we coach (who are 11-12). This is useful in our ability to relate, but is not when we are trying to be serious and get a point across. We tend to joke around a bit at training in order to make them as enjoyable as possible, but as soon as we try to be serious, the girls assume we are telling them off and sometimes get upset. We have already had parent issues in relation to positions, so we do not want anymore complaints from the parents or girls. If anyone has advice it would be much appreciated, thanks.

Archived User Coach

Keeping girls motivated when l...

Hi, I'm co-coaching an U13 team. The players are a mix of experienced, but mostly inexperienced players, with a couple of players who are really talented (these are two of our inexperienced players). All players are new to each other. The girls won every game at the district grading days and we were upgraded two levels. We are now in round 6 of the competition and the girls have lost every game and we just lost from the team that was below them on the ladder. We've had a couple of injuries and one was quite bad in round 4 requiring surgery which has shaken the girls as well. They are starting to lose heart and their game is deteriorating. How do we keep them motivated?

Coach, Australia

How to create a roster to fair...

How to do a roster to rotate 10 netball players

Archived User Coach

Fun session to boost moral for...

I would like to do a fun session with my 17 year old as we are at the bottom of the ladder and will not make finals now.

Caroline Woodford Coach, Australia

9 players - 4 girls off half a...

9 players - 4 girls off half a game each week or 2 players off per quarter? I coach a 10 yrs team in a very close A grade competition. There are 9 players therefore 2 reserves are needed each quarter. Is it best to have 4 girls off for half a game each week, less disruption to team but best players are then off for half a game - girls are off every second week, or 2 girls off each quarter, more disruption but best players are only off for quarter of a game, girls are off every week. I am required to give all players equal time on the court throughout the season. Thank you.

Archived User Coach

Off season training | Sportpla...

Hi all, At the end of this season we selected our rep teams in readiness for the next years competitions and to ensure that all girls had time to organise and commit to representative teams. We have played in a social league for a few weeks and will break for the Christmas period in two weeks time returning in mid February. I am keen to keep the girls active, and was wondering if anyone has documented an off season training plan as such. I would like to get the girls to concentrate on footwork , ( use of skipping rope) and fitness, as well as basic ball skills, but am not sure what expectations i should have with them ? They are all 14 yrs old. Thanks in advance Gary

Archived User Coach

what if my team dont want to t...

my team always sit down and they never want to run so what do I do. we lose nearly every game and they blame the coach but its their own fault

Archived User Coach

Purposely using elbows - a gro...

What is the best way for players 11-13 to mitigate the affect of open players using their elbows. It is brought to the umpires attention and they do their best. However, I have in the last few weeks heard 2 different coaches (when I was observing games - hence I could hear the coach) give instructions to her players to "use elbows and intimidate". Seems a growing trend based on what a lot of players are doing on court in a range of teams. Defensively my players are starting to shy away from staying close to their oppn player. When on attack - I tell them to keep moving so the oppn defense can't set up on them and use the elbow. The poor GS particularly is getting really knocked about a lot of time as she is trying to execute a hold sometimes.

Sheryl Pascoe Coach, Australia

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 700+ netball drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the worlds largest netball coaching resource for 700+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT