Netball: for large group

The 2025 Netball Super League season has introduced a rule that will change close games forever: no match can end in a draw. If scores are level after 60 minutes, two 5-minute periods of extra time will be played, with a one-minute break between them. If still tied, play continues until one team establishes a two-goal lead.

This is high-stakes netball. Are your players ready for it?

Understanding the Rules

The structure is straightforward:

  • Regulation: 60 minutes (4 x 15-minute quarters)
  • Extra time (if tied): Two 5-minute periods with 1-minute half-time
  • Extended extra time (if still tied): Play continues until a team leads by 2 goals

The Super Shot rule applies during extra time, adding another layer of tactical complexity. Centre passes alternate as normal. The team that wins gets 3 points; the loser gets 0.

The New Points System

The NSL has also changed the points allocation:

  • Win: 3 points
  • Loss by 5 goals or fewer: 1 point
  • Loss by more than 5 goals: 0 points

This means extra time carries enormous weight. A draw that would have given both teams 1 point now produces a winner with 3 points and a loser with 0 (unless it was already close). The stakes are higher than ever.

Physical Preparation

Extra time demands fitness. Players must maintain execution quality in potentially the 70th or 75th minute of play. Traditional 60-minute conditioning isn't enough.

Extend training games. Run scrimmages that go beyond normal match length. Players need to experience decision-making and skill execution when genuinely fatigued.

Interval conditioning. Extra time is high-intensity bursts separated by brief recovery. Design fitness work that replicates this pattern - repeated efforts with incomplete rest.

Simulation sessions. Occasionally simulate extra time scenarios in training. After a full scrimmage, announce "scores are level" and play on. This normalises the experience.

Related Drills: Build your team's endurance with our Fitness Drills for extended play conditioning.

Tactical Preparation

Substitution Strategy

You can't save substitutions for extra time if you haven't won regulation. The balance is keeping your best players fresh enough to perform in extra time while not losing the game in the fourth quarter.

Consider which players are best suited to high-pressure, fatigued conditions. Mental resilience and composure may matter more than pure skill in extra time.

Super Shot Strategy

The Super Shot applies in extra time. A single two-goal conversion can swing a game. Have a clear plan for Super Shot usage during these periods - and ensure your best long-range shooter is on court.

Extended Extra Time Awareness

If the game reaches "next two goals wins" territory, tactics simplify. Every possession is sudden death. Turnovers become catastrophic. Train your team to play with maximum care and composure in these moments.

Psychological Preparation

Extra time is as much mental as physical. Players who've never experienced it can freeze. Players who've practiced it perform.

Visualisation. Have players mentally rehearse extra time scenarios. What does it feel like to take a shot with the game on the line? To defend knowing one mistake could end it?

Positive framing. Extra time isn't a crisis - it's an opportunity. You've earned the chance to win a game that was on the edge. The team that sees extra time as exciting rather than terrifying has an advantage.

Process focus. In pressure moments, outcome focus ("we must score") creates tension. Process focus ("see the target, trust the technique") creates flow. Train your players to narrow attention to the next action, not the consequences.

Managing the One-Minute Break

Between extra time periods, you have one minute. This isn't long enough for complex tactical changes. Use it wisely:

  • Hydration and physical recovery
  • One or two key messages maximum
  • Energy and encouragement
  • Reminder of process focus

What you don't want is panicked tactical reinvention. Keep it simple, keep it positive, keep it short.

Learning from Experience

As the season progresses, some teams will accumulate extra time experience. Each situation is a learning opportunity:

  • What worked? What didn't?
  • Which players performed under pressure?
  • What would you do differently?

Document these lessons. They'll inform future preparation and give your team an edge in subsequent close games.

The Competitive Advantage

Many teams will neglect extra time preparation, focusing only on 60-minute netball. The teams that practice extra time scenarios, condition for extended play, and psychologically prepare their players will win more close games.

In a competition where points are precious, turning potential draws into wins could be the difference between finals and missing out. Prepare accordingly.

Where to Go Next

Prepare your team for the demands of extra time with these resources:

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

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

Looking for some tips on planning a session

I have a group of approx 20 people and I am looking for some tips how to plan out a session with some sort of game at the end? thanks in advance

Lucy fitton Coach, England

How to train a group ranging from U9s to U16 year olds?

How does a coach keep training sessions fun, complex, educational and entertaining enough to keep the older girls interested and for the younger girls to keep up? And some training sessions have less than 10 girls (easy to handle) and some can have maybe over 30. Only ONE of these teams (a group of 9) are mine and the other 20-odd are from at least 4 other teams in the club.

Georgina Noack Coach, Australia

How to deal with different levels of skill in one team

I have an U10 team playing in Div 1, we are doing well coming 2nd in the comp. The problem i have is I have 8,9 and 10 year olds in the team as we are a small club. I am looking for Drills to cater all age groups and the girls abilities/skills. There are girls who play beyond their ages, and then girls who cannot catch or throw a ball, (basically 6 of the 9 players cannot do both). They have improved, but i find the skilled players are getting frustrated as there are alot of turnovers due to basic errors, bad passes, stepping, offside etc....any advice would be appreciated.Thanks

Archived User Coach

What are some good warm up drills?

What are some good warm up drills that could be used with a group of approximately 20-30 girls? I need to make sure they are all doing something otherwise they get distracted and lose their concentration.

Archived User Coach

Planning a training session for large group numbers?

I will be regularly coaching a group of Back to Netball ladies (aged 16 plus) and have been told that there are approx. 30 signed up (prob end up with 20 regulars). I have a session planned for them tonight as a starter for ten but I am conscious that with such numbers when it comes to court time at the end of a session e.g. game time some won't be able to participate on court. For tonight (and partly because I'm told these ladies are new to netball) I'm going to be getting those sat off court to do some observation of basic rules e.g. give each a card with a rule on it and see if they spot anything during the game play. Some can also help with scoring. Then I'm having people subbed on and off every 5 mins so all get some game time. Are there any other suggestions from people about managing such a large group with just one court available? The rest of the session is fine as they can all join in the warm up, skills sessions and warm down.

Anne-Marie Clegg Coach, England

Large squad of 10 or take just 8 to a match?

Is it best to take a full squad of 10 or just 8 of that squad? Do you rotate each week or during the game? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Judy Talbot Coach, England

Dirlls for Large Group

Help! I am a student coach and I need to plan a session for approximately 50 girls and we only have one court available to train on. Any drills that can be used to train such a large group?

Maddie Dawson Coach, England

what large muscle groups are u...

what large muscle groups are used when marking a ball

wack Coach, United States of America

Long term player struggling at...

Within our team we have a player that has been in the team from 9/un. We now play open age 15/un and it is way above her skills and abilities. She has difficulty with training and is guaranteed to to cry at most sessions. I have spoken to her mother to encourage her to try and I have spoken to the player. I have asked her if she is happy within the team etc also asked why she plays and what she gets out of it. She always answer that she doesnt know but she is happy. The competition and team mates are way above her abilities - what to do? Suggestions would be much appreciated.

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

what personal goals should i s...

i'm doing netball coaching as one of my practicals for GCSE PE and ive set myself a few goals such as to improve my confidence to ensure girls enjoy my sessions but what else could I put?

Archived User Coach

Pre-Game and break-time motiva...

Hi Everyone - anyone got any tips for motivational chats before big games and at half time? My team are 2nd on the ladder but can lose their bundle when faced with tough opponents or rain. We're in the last round of the season and going to make the finals,...any tips for motivational chats. Girls are Juniors, between 2 and 4 seasons of experience and of average ability in a middle grade (none of them will play for Australia but they generally try hard and love the game).

Michelle Hawkins Coach, Australia

In my first training session w...

In my first training session what should i start off with as i dont know the level of ability?

Archived User Coach

Increasing enthusiasm for 5-8y...

I am coaching a little net set go team (set tier) with ages 5-8. Usually I coach high school girls. A mum of one of the 7 yr olds just messaged me with this: "i was just wondering If you have any tips to help us get Miss S enthused about netball, she isn't enjoying it but wants to "give it more time" (her words)." We only have a half hour training session before we play as no one else will coach but this is the only time I can do training and there are players from another town so this is the best option for everyone. We play a couple of warm up drills/games and practice 1 skill ready for our game. I have covered the basics of passing and footwork so far. None of my team have ever played before, but 4 of them did the net set go - net tier last year. The girl has only played 2 games so far as we have had a bye. So far she has had a go at positions GK, GD, GS, GA, and WA. She is the tallest girl in the team and so tends to get a fair amount of the ball. Any ideas on what to suggest to this mum?

Heidi Hawley Coach, Australia

How do I deal with a rude u15 ...

I have taken over coaching a 15/un open team about 8 months ago. The focus for improvement was to work on fitness. They are much fitter than when we started and now can finish off a game. There are 4 very good players and 4 average players. I need help with the attitude of one of the girls. She half-hearted takes direction, doesn't play well unless she plays in the position she wants to, constantly whispers negatives to others at training and is constantly giving us intolerable looks if she doesn't like what she hears. I could go on and on. And yes she is one of the average players. We have 3 coaches in the team and we have never come across such a rude girl. In my day you would get a ball in head if you weren't looking and listening to the coach! Please help with how we can engage this girl.

Archived User Coach

How to play against an Agressi...

My U11's are playing an agressive team in our Grand Final. They physically hurt my team who come off, upset and even crying during the match. They make use of elbows, stepping on toes, bumping etc. How do I help my team find the confidence in playing such a team??

Louise McCallum Coach, Australia

Best position to leave vacant ...

Just wondering what is the best position to leave vacant if only 6 girls can attend a game. It's u11's with 2 brand new players & we are getting beaten by large margins & it's one of our seasoned players that will be off Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Archived User Coach

Help! My team aren't getting a...

Recently I have noticed some of my team members have started being nasty towards each other on the court and negative towards others. It is affecting their game and everyone else's. I also have a player complaining about another player behind her back. How do I get my team to become more positive towards each other and re-iterate that we need to get along and encourage each other?

Archived User Coach

What to say in a pre game team...

Hi all.....Just curious on how everyone approaches a pre-game team talk and any suggestions you might have for a group of 17 year olds? Thanks, Lyn

Lyn Coach, Australia

Two weak U13 players in my tea...

coaching u13s have 6 good players and 2 that this their first season.For this first half of the season most of their training has been catching and throwing .I find that they are not improving so on game days the other players are reluctant to pass it to them as they either drop the ball or pass it to the opposition.I am struggling to know what to do 

Michelle Thomas 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