Footwork for Juniors

DESCRIPTION

• Set up three hula hoops in a line, about 5 metres apart. 
• The players work down the line one at a time.
• They need to run, jump then land in a balanced position within the hula-hoop.
• They should be encouraged to hold the balance for 3 seconds before moving off to the next hula hoop.
• In the first instance use a two footed landing.
• Progress to the girls landing on the right foot and taking a single step on the left foot to gain balance (but without removing right foot)
• To encourage them to get that second foot down quickly and gain balance, you can use a catch phrase, such as "ice" for landing foot and "cream" for second foot!
• Ensure they also try a left-right landing.
• Once the girls are confident with their landings, introduce a feeder at the end of the line to send a ball in at the last hula hoop. Usually this should be a coach or assistant who has the experience to time the pass correctly.

COACHING POINTS

• I coach two footed landing to start with so that the initial focus is actually on the jump and the balanced landing and they are not distracted by remembering which foot they landed on!
• They need to use their arms to gain elevation.
• They need to land and bend knees (push bottom back!) to help gain that balance
• When they come to last hula hoop it is imperative that they are looking up as well otherwise they end up with a ball in the face!

These drills are aimed at junior netballers quite new to the game, so focus on them being in a balanced position to enable a decent onwards pass. More able players would then progress to a faster release.