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The Basic Skills

These are some basic skills that you will need to learn to play a game of netball:

Making space, Catching, Landing, Passing, Pivoting, Shooting, Defending

Making space

When your team-mate has the ball, your opponents will want to stop you finding some open space for your team-mate to easily pass to you. Your opponents will mark you closely to prevent an easy pass, and your team-mate has only 3 seconds to pass the ball, so it's up to you to find some space quickly.

There are lots of ways of finding space in a game and it helps to have several tricks up your sleeve so you can keep your opponent guessing.

# Straight lead: You find space by running very quickly over a short distance to escape your opponent. You need to outpace your opponent and keep moving all the time.

# Dodge: You need to use very quick footwork to trick your opponent into moving one way. Pretend to go one way by moving your feet and body. Once you have your opponent off balance, you can set off in the other direction and into space.

# Roll: Using the foot which is furthest away from your opponent, take it in a circular motion around them. Think of it as a very tight U-turn.

Catching

As you jump or run to catch the ball keep your eye firmly fixed on it. Don't let your arms hang down by your sides - reach up ready to collect the ball. Catch the ball with your thumbs pointed upwards and towards the eyes. Then bring your arms back into to your body so you take the force out of the pass.

Landing

If you jump up to catch the ball it is much safer to land on both feet. You will have less chance of twisting your ankle or falling flat on your face. When you land on two feet in netball you can then choose which foot will be your landing foot. So the two-footed landing gives you more options for your next move.

To make sure you quickly get your balance you have to absorb the energy from your jump. So bend your knees and flex your ankles as both feet hit the floor. Try and land on the balls of your feet and not your heels as this will give you more control too. Bring the ball into your body to protect it from watchful defenders.

The beauty of a two-footed landing is that you can decide which foot is your landing foot. So if you're surrounded by defenders on one side you opt to pivot or step the opposite way.

But once you lift one foot then you have made your decision. You must then pivot, jump or simply step and make your pass. And don't forget you can improve this move by turning in the air before you land - that will really keep defenders guessing.

Pivoting

Learning how to land on one foot and then pivot on it can help you move the ball into different areas. Pivoting allows you to open up space on court by changing the direction of the game.

Think balance, poise and fluid movements. After you have jumped to catch the ball, land with one foot on the ground. This is the landing foot and you will pivot on it. It is important to control your balance before you attempt to pivot. You should stand with your knees slightly bent and your feet shoulder width apart, making sure you have a firm grip on the ball.

Always pivot on the ball of your foot. Once you've decided which direction to go in, pivot by rotating yourself on the ball of your landing foot. You can move or step with the other foot any number of times - this will help your balance. Keep your upper body as straight as possible when pivoting. Make sure the hip of your pivoting leg is pointing in the direction you are aiming to pass the ball in.

Keep your eye on your team-mates when you're pivoting so you know which way to make your pass. Get a firm grip on the ball so you can make a quick pass and beat the defenders. When you are facing in a new direction, keep your head up and make your pass. Remember you are NOT allowed to lift the foot you are pivoting on before you release the ball. And don't forget to practice pivoting in both directions and on both feet.

Passing

High Running Pass

Lots of passes are made when players are moving around the court. The high running pass is used when a player is trying to get the ball quickly into an attacking position. The ball is caught while they are in mid-run then they release the ball by jumping into the air.

You have to be fast on your feet and focused on the ball when catching the ball on the run. Let your team-mate know you want the ball by calling out to them. Make sure you come towards the ball with both hands open ready to catch it. When you have caught the ball don't stop moving. Remember which of your feet hit the ground first - this is your landing foot.

Step forward with your other foot - try and make your stride as large as possible. But keep your balance and the ball. Hold the ball close to your body to protect it from defenders. Hold your head up so you can see which of your team-mates is in the best position for you to pass to.

You must release the ball before your landing foot hits the ground. To release the ball from a jumping position you need to launch yourself from just one foot. Bend your knee slightly to give you power and keep your body straight as you rise off the floor. Find your target and release the ball from above your head. Give the ball a flick with your wrist to send it whizzing through the air. Players will not always jump up to pass the ball when they are on the run. You can also finish the move off with a shoulder or bounce pass.

Overhead Pass

If you see a player in space in the next third - the overhead pass is the one to use. It's a high pass which should keep the game speedy. But remember tall defenders can reach up and snatch the ball. So you must put plenty of power into the pass so it gets into the right pair of hands.

This pass is designed to travel further so you need to get plenty of power behind the ball. Spread your fingers around the ball but don't let it rest on your palms. Bend your arms and try and keep your elbows in close to your body. Lift the ball over your head and allow it to drop back slightly. This will give you a little extra push as you release the ball. Put one foot forward as this will help you lean into the pass so it will fly through the air even faster!

It's no good if the ball goes flying off in the wrong direction. So you need to get your aim right too. Aim between your team-mate's head and their chest - this should help them catch the ball easier. Give the ball a little push upwards by getting your whole body weight behind the ball. When you let it go - don't forget to stretch out your arms and fingertips. This keeps the ball going in the right direction.

Chest Pass

The most commonly used pass in the speedy game of netball is the chest pass. It's a flat pass which means it should travel from the passer to the receiver in a straight line - but don't worry if they sometimes go astray! Chest passes aren't only used to get the ball into the attacking zone. Players often use them to make throw-ins when the ball goes out of play.

Chest passes are the most accurate way of getting the ball around the court. But they will only fly through the air if you hold the ball correctly. Your hands should form a W behind the ball. So bring your thumbs together in the centre with your fingers comfortably spread out.

Don't forget footwork is essential to perfect passing. When making a pass, step forward with one foot. This will help you get energy from the floor as you push through with the ball.

You need to get lots of power flowing from your arm muscles down into your finger tips. Keep your elbows close to your body and push through with the ball. As you release the ball, straighten your arms and fingers so every little bit of energy is transferred to it. Keep your wrists pointed upwards as this will help fully extend your arms. Don't forget to keep your eye on the receiver - ball-watching could send it the wrong way! If you're catching the ball, move towards not away from it. And watch the ball until it is safely in your hands.

Bounce Pass

The bounce pass fits the bill when you find defenders closing in and you need to act quickly! Players mostly use this pass inside the goal circle to feed the shooters. Space is restricted in the goal circle and the bounce is often an effective way to weave the ball past the defenders' legs. Remember defenders will use their height and out-stretched arms to intercept the ball so making this pass can catch them out!

A bounce pass can be one or two-handed. When you're ready to make your pass, hold the ball at chest height. This will give you the extra push you need just before you release the ball. Make sure your fingers are pointing towards the floor of the court. Stand with one of your feet forward so you can bend your knees as you make the pass.

You need to release the ball from waist height. Use the power from your arms and knees as you push the ball forward. To make sure your bounce pass is a beauty - you need to bounce in the right place! Aim the ball just over halfway between you and the receiver. Don't push the ball into the floor - you need to get it to sit-up. This will help your team-mate catch the ball at waist height. Flick your wrists as you release the ball. And don't forget to extend your arms as you make the pass to keep the ball on the right path.

Shoulder Pass

The shoulder pass is used to cover bigger distances on court than the chest pass. The ball is thrown at a greater height so it's another way you can out-wit defenders. But it is not a looping pass - your throw should follow a straight line between your shoulder and the receiver's hands. Players often describe the action for this pass as similar to throwing a shot put. That's because the power for this shot comes from the upper body.

Shoulder passes are thrown with just one hand. So the first thing to do is to make sure you've got a steady grip on the ball. Control the ball with both hands and bring it up to shoulder level. Place your throwing hand behind the ball with your fingers spread to get a firm hold on it. Don't forget your footwork! If you're holding the ball with your right hand, move your left foot forward. You will get more power if you remember to move your opposite foot in front of your body.

To get maximum power behind this pass, you need to fully straighten your arm. Remember your whole arm, right down to your finger tips, must follow through the throw. Aim to point your fingers in the same direction as the pass. Keep your head up and your eye on the receiver.

Shooting

To be a sharp shooter you need to keep your balance, find your aim and use your whole body to make the shot. You also need to stay focused and calm under pressure.

You can shoot from anywhere inside the goal circle. But having a good view of the ring and a balanced position is important. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and keep your body straight & tall. Balance the ball on the finger tips of one hand and use your other hand to steady it. Get steady quickly - remember shooters only have three seconds to take a shot.

The power for your shot comes from the floor. So you need to bend your knees as if you are about to jump into the air. Concentrate and stay focused on the ring. Keep your back straight and your head up. As you prepare to release the ball, drop your hands back behind your head. This is the most accurate way to control the direction of the ball. So try and learn this technique rather than starting your shot with the ball held out in front of you.

You need to get your aim right before taking the shot. Try and focus on a point at the back rather than the front of the ring. This is because the shot is usually short so if you aim for the back it should fall in. Try and let the ball go at the same time as you straighten your legs. Move your arms as little as possible when you release the ball but add spin by flicking your wrists. You should end your shot standing on tiptoes with your arms following through towards the ring. But if the ball doesn't go through the net, don't just stand there - get ready for the rebound.

Defending

Make sure you're three feet away from the shooter, and secondly make sure you don't touch the ball while they are still holding it. When you're trying to put the shooter off, take a strong position three feet away and stretch your arm over the ball to make things as hard as possible for your opponent. You need to be thinking in terms of creating a barrier between the post and the ball - you are that barrier! When you're trying to intercept a shot, try to guess when the shooter's going to release the ball. A good idea is to look at their elbow as it'll move just before they shoot. If they do get the shot in, don't give up! Remember to reposition yourself for the rebound.