Netball, a dynamic and fast-paced sport, demands precision, agility, and teamwork. At the heart of these requirements are passing techniques, essential skills that every player must master to contribute effectively to their team's success. This guide, "Pass Like a Pro," is tailored for beginners, aiming to equip you with the fundamental passing skills that will elevate your game and ensure you can hold your own on the court.
Understanding the nuances of different passing techniques not only enhances your ability to make quick, accurate decisions during a game but also improves your overall gameplay, making you a valuable asset to your team. Whether you're new to the sport or looking to refine your skills, this guide will walk you through the basic netball passing techniques, providing tips, drills, and insights to help you master each pass.
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Netball Passing - a summary
| Pass Type | Starting Position | Execution | Follow-Through | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest Pass | Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold ball at chest level, fingers spread, thumbs behind the ball. | Push the ball from chest in swift, straight motion towards teammate. Fingers last to touch, providing spin for stable flight. | Extend arms fully upon release, palms outward, thumbs down. | - When teammate is in close proximity. - For quick, accurate passes. - To maintain ball control and stability. |
| Shoulder Pass | Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly forward. Hold ball at side of shoulder, elbow bent and pointing outwards. | Extend arm smoothly, releasing ball at shoulder height. Aim directly at target for strong, precise pass. | Follow through towards target after release for accurate trajectory. | - For longer distances. - Quick transitions and breaking through defensive lines. |
| Bounce Pass | Similar to chest pass. Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold ball lower than chest level with both hands. | Bounce the ball about two-thirds of the way to teammate. Push downwards towards floor at sharp angle for proper bounce. | Follow through towards target after release for accurate trajectory. | - In crowded spaces to avoid interception. - To change pass trajectory. - To surprise opponents with less common pass type. |
| Lob Pass | Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly ahead. Hold ball in both hands above head, elbows slightly bent. | Push ball upwards and forwards in smooth motion. Use legs to generate power for upward lift. | Fingers guide ball, arms follow through in direction of pass for accuracy. | - Overcoming tall defenders. - Long-distance passing. - Creating scoring opportunities. |
Chest Pass: Technique and Practice Drills
- Starting Position: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent for balance. Hold the ball with both hands at chest level, fingers spread and thumbs behind the ball for support.
- Execution: Push the ball out from your chest in a swift, straight motion towards your teammate. Your fingers should be the last part of your hands to touch the ball, giving it the necessary spin for a stable flight.
- Follow-Through: Extend your arms fully as you release the ball, with your palms facing outward and thumbs pointing down. This follow-through ensures the ball travels directly to your teammate without wobbling.
- Eye Contact: Always make eye contact with the receiver before making a pass. This non-verbal communication is crucial to ensure your teammate is ready to catch the ball
Practice Drills
- Partner Pass: Pair up with a teammate and stand approximately 10 feet apart. Practice chest passing back and forth, focusing on accuracy, speed, and proper form. Gradually increase the distance as you become more comfortable.
- Wall Pass: If you're practicing alone, use a wall to practice your chest passes. Aim for a specific spot on the wall, ensuring you maintain form and follow through with each pass. This drill helps improve your accuracy and consistency.
- Moving Pass: Incorporate movement into your passing drills. Have your partner move around while you practice passing to them. This drill mimics game scenarios and improves your ability to make accurate passes under pressure.
Shoulder Pass: Technique and Precision
The shoulder pass is another crucial technique in netball, offering a faster and more direct way to move the ball over longer distances. It's particularly effective for quick transitions and breaking through defensive lines.
*Image credit: Super Netball
Technique
- Starting Position: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly forward. Hold the ball in one hand, at the side of your shoulder, with your elbow bent and pointing outwards.
- Execution: Extend your arm in a smooth, swift motion, releasing the ball at shoulder height. Use your other arm for balance and aim directly at your target, ensuring the pass is both strong and precise.
- Follow-Through: After releasing the ball, your hand should follow through towards the target, ensuring the ball's accurate trajectory. The power of the pass comes from a combination of arm extension and a slight push from the legs.
- Speed and Timing: The shoulder pass is known for its speed, making it essential to time your pass accurately to ensure it reaches a teammate without interception.
Practice Drills
- Distance Passing: Practice shoulder passes with a partner at varying distances to develop strength and accuracy. Focus on maintaining speed without sacrificing precision.
- Moving Target: Have your teammate move around the court while you practice delivering accurate shoulder passes. This drill helps simulate game-like scenarios and improves your dynamic passing skills.
- Precision Drill: Set up targets on the court and practice hitting them with shoulder passes from different angles and distances. This enhances your control and accuracy under varying conditions.
Bounce Pass: Execution and When to Use It
The bounce pass is a strategic technique in netball, ideal for circumventing defenders and delivering the ball to a teammate in a crowded playing area. This pass type uses the floor to create an unpredictable angle, making it harder for opponents to intercept.
*Image Credit: Sporting News
Technique
Starting Position: Similar to the chest pass, begin with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Grip the ball with both hands on either side, positioning it slightly lower than chest level.
- Execution: When executing a bounce pass, aim to bounce the ball about two-thirds of the way to your teammate. Push the ball downwards towards the floor at a sharp angle, ensuring it has enough force to reach your teammate after the bounce.
- Angle and Force: The key to a successful bounce pass is getting the angle and force just right. The ball should bounce up to the receiving player's waist height. Too high, and it becomes easy to intercept; too low, and it's difficult to catch.
- Follow-Through: After releasing the ball, your hands should follow through towards the target, guiding the ball's path. This follow-through is crucial for maintaining pass accuracy.
When to Use It
- Crowded Spaces: The bounce pass is most effective in crowded areas where a direct pass is likely to be intercepted.
- Changing Pass Trajectory: When you need to change the trajectory of the pass to avoid defenders' hands, the bounce pass can be a game-changer.
- Surprising Opponents: Since it's less commonly used than the chest pass, the bounce pass can catch defenders off guard, creating opportunities for your team.
Practice Drills
- Two-Player Bounce Pass: Practice with a partner, focusing on getting the bounce and catch height correct. Start close and gradually increase your distance to challenge your skill.
- Obstacle Course: Set up obstacles or use other players as static defenders. Practice making bounce passes around the obstacles to a moving or stationary receiver, honing your ability to use this pass effectively during games.
- Reaction Drill: Have a teammate randomly call out "bounce" or "chest" for the type of pass you should execute. This drill improves your reaction time and decision-making on when to use the bounce pass.
Lob Pass: Mastering the Art of Overhead Passing
The lob pass is an essential technique in netball, used to send the ball over a longer distance or to outmaneuver taller defenders by making a high arc pass. It's particularly effective in bypassing a tight defense to reach a teammate who is further away or in a better position.
Technique
- Starting Position: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly ahead of the other for balance. Hold the ball in both hands above your head, with your elbows slightly bent.
- Execution: To execute a lob pass, push the ball upwards and forwards in a smooth, fluid motion. Use your legs to generate power by bending your knees slightly as you begin the motion and straightening them as you release the ball, adding an upward lift.
- Arc and Distance: The key to a successful lob pass is creating the right arc and judging the distance accurately. The ball should peak just above the reach of any defenders and descend gently into your teammate's hands.
- Follow-Through: Your fingers should guide the ball, and your arms should follow through in the direction of the pass to ensure accuracy.
When to Use It
- Overcoming Tall Defenders: When you're faced with taller defenders, a well-executed lob pass can be the perfect solution to get the ball to your teammate.
- Long-Distance Passing: The lob pass is ideal for covering longer distances on the court, especially when a direct or bounce pass isn't feasible.
- Creating Scoring Opportunities: A timely lob pass can create scoring opportunities by getting the ball to a shooter in a prime position or by catching the defense off guard.
Practice Drills
- Target Practice: Set up a target or have a teammate stand in a specific spot. Practice lobbing the ball to hit the target or land precisely in your teammate's hands from various distances.
- Movement Incorporation: Practice lob passes with a moving receiver, focusing on timing and accuracy to ensure the ball meets the receiver in stride.
- Defender Simulation: Have a teammate act as a defender, trying to intercept the lob pass. This drill helps you improve your ability to judge the necessary arc and force to get the ball over a defender successfully.
Integrating These Techniques into Your Game
Mastering the basic passing techniques in netball—chest pass, bounce pass, and lob pass—is crucial for any player aiming to enhance their performance on the court. Each pass has its unique application, and knowing when and how to use them can significantly impact your team's ability to maintain possession, create scoring opportunities, and outmaneuver the opposition.
Practice and Application
Consistent practice is key to integrating these passing techniques into your game. Work on the drills mentioned, both individually and with your team, to develop muscle memory and decision-making skills. During practice sessions, focus on the accuracy, timing, and execution of each pass type, ensuring you're prepared for game situations.
Game Situations
In-game, stay aware of the defense and your teammates' positions. Recognise when a chest pass is more appropriate for quick, direct plays or when a bounce pass could outsmart a tight defense. Utilise the lob pass to exploit spaces over the defenders, especially when playing against taller opponents or when you need to cover longer distances on the court.
Teamwork and Communication
Effective passing is not just about technical skills; it's also about communication and teamwork. Develop a strong understanding with your teammates, using eye contact, hand signals, or verbal cues to coordinate your passing strategies. The more in sync you are with your team, the more effectively you can execute these passes during games.
Continuous Improvement
Finally, always seek to improve. Watch professional games, attend workshops, and get coaching to refine your passing skills further. The more you learn and practice, the more instinctive these passing techniques will become, enhancing your overall gameplay and contribution to your team.
By incorporating these basic netball passing techniques into your practice and gameplay, you're setting a solid foundation for your development as a netball player. Remember, the best players are those who never stop learning and striving to improve every aspect of their game.
