This post may contain affiliate links, or we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post. For more information on this, please visit our legal page.

Netball Training is important but it can also get tedious, so here are some fun netball training games you can try

 

Netball training games and drills, when added to the pre-training routines keeps things interesting and more enjoyable whilst easing into it for beginner players. They are essential for building our skill level and ensuring you maintain fitness too! These training games are perfect for beginner netballers to have fun, warm up and train (also get very very sweaty!)

 

Full court warm up

1. Starting in the corner jog diagonally to the opposite corner of the third.
2. Sidestep along the line
3. Diagonally jog to the opposite corner
4. High knees along the line
5. Diagonally jog along the line
6. “kick backs” alone the line (kicking your heels back to touch your bottom or hands (palm out) on your bottom)
7. Sidestep along the line
8. Diagonal sprint going back to the opposite corner
9. Skip along the line
10. Diagonally sprint to the next corner
11. High knees along the line
12. Diagonally sprint to Finish

Repeat

If necessary – you can do different variations depending on the group e.g. walking lunges, cross-overs, bunny hops

*Note: For a fun Christmas alternative check out my Christmas tree warm up*

*Also check out the static and warm up stretching post.*

Netball Training Games for Beginner Netballers

British Bulldog

You can play with 4+ players and it’s good to get the blood pumping and the adrenaline rushing.
Pick a catcher and everyone else start on the backline like this;

At the start of the whistle, everyone rushes forward and the catcher attempts to catch the players. Anyone caught joins the other side. Eventually, you will have this;

The winner is the last one who hasn’t been caught and this is great for encouraging changing of direction

Adjustments:
If it is too difficult for the catcher, make the court size smaller using cones. If it is too easy for the catcher, make the court size bigger.
*Tip: If there is confusion about what justifies as a “catch touch” (code: you have a competitive bunch) use bibs tucked into shorts as a tag to be removed.*

Bows and Arrows

For 7+ players
This seems very difficult on paper but is actually relatively simple once you break it down.

I’ll start with “The Bow” (Line 1 below)

1. Pick 3 feeders and the rest form two equal lines next to each other (As in the diagram)
2. The first player of line 1 starts with the ball and throws to feeder 1.
3. The player then runs around the outside of feeder 1, changes direction and receives the ball in the middle from feeder 2 (you’ll understand why feeder 2 has the ball in a moment).
4. The player then passes the ball onto feeder 3
5. Runs around feeder 3 and joins the back of line 2 (The Arrow).

Next “The Arrow” (Line 2 Below)

1. When player 1 of line 1 throws the ball to feeder 1, player 2 of line 2 runs forward and receives the second pass from feeder 1.
2. Player 2 then passes the ball to feeder 2 and runs around the outside of feeder 2
3. Player 2 then runs back into the middle and receives the last pass from feeder 3 and passes the ball to line 1
4. Player 2 then joins line 1 to become the bow.

Both of these sections run simultaneously to form a continuous bow and arrow. This works on passing accuracy and timing of runs.

Variations: make the bow and arrow larger and limit players to only one handed shoulder passes OR
Make it smaller and only allow chest or bounce passes

*Note: ensure passes are made ahead of the player as it should become a fluid motion and encourage players to keep going (without doing footwork)*

Anywhere’s

In Pairs with 1 ball between
Facing each other the feeder starts with the ball like so.

The feeder will then throw the ball “anywhere” just out of reach of the players arm length.

Any of the legal netball passes can be used (chest, one handed shoulder, bounce, two handed overhead etc)

This works both the feeders aim and the players reaction/ball skills

Do 10 throws and then switch places

Variation: To make the game harder get closer together and make it easier by allowing more distance in between.

Anywhere’s Defender Variation

In Three’s with 1 ball between, using the same idea as above add an extra player to defend the ball from reaching the player

The defender should start at around 50% and then build up to 100% match scenario defending (if this is too hard then bring it down so that the player is able to dodge more and is less restricted).

10 throws, then switch places

Variation: To make the game harder get closer together and make it easier by allowing more distance in between.
*Note this variation becomes more defender focused so is a good follow on after a warm up into defensive drills*

 

“Suicides” or “sprints”

These are fairly straight forward but I did a diagram (because who doesn’t love a good diagram)

Starting at the backline, sprint to the first line, bend down to touch it and sprint back to the backline.
Sprint back up to the second line (the other side of the centre circle) bend down to touch it and sprint back to the backline.
Lastly sprint all the way to the other end of the court, bend down to touch the line and sprint back to the backline.
That’s one set, have a 2min rest and try again (for really energetic teams do 3-5 sets)
Everyone hates these ones but they really do help speed and stamina and mental tiredness towards the end of the game (if you can survive suicide then a game of netball is a piece of cake :p

*Note: Although suicides don’t count as a training game it is a good warm up drill that sees faster progression*

If you liked these netball training games, may also be interested in: Netball Defence Drills