Overview Year 3 & 4
The focus within this age group is about ‘learning’ Netball, whilst still having fun and gaining a positive experience of the game. Many players will still ‘explore’ Netball for the first time at this age group, whilst others will be developing their skills and discovering new skills. The concepts of attacking and defending will be introduced at this level to further develop the basic sport-specific skills for Netball. At this stage, children are developing fundamental movement skills. Socially their motives to participate are to be with their friends and have fun.
At this stage girls and boys have similar abilities. Emotionally, fairness is very important and they seek and need approval and like external rewards and positive reinforcement. Children at this stage like to play games with simple rules. Early specialisation should be avoided and a multi-skills approach adopted. Competition is modified and an official modified 5 v 5 Netball game has been introduced.
OverviewNetball Modifications
Game format5 v 5
Game Day format: 15-minute skill development, 4 x 8-minute quarters game
Goal height 2.6 metres
Ball size: Size 4
Umpire/Coach: Coaches can support at this level and can move around on court as required, to assist and support players. Rules are simplified and focus is on letting the game flow and minimising stoppages
Use of whistle: No whistle – support and explain decisions to players
Rules of play - Key differences from normal Netball rules
- Time with ball: Ball can be held for up to 5 seconds for pass or shot
- Footwork: Encourage players to land balanced
- Defending player: Enforce 1 metre distance to allow player space to pass
- Substitutions: Rolling substitutions – players to have equal time on court
- Court size: Two thirds of the court
- Positions: 2 x Attacker, 2 x Defender, 1 x Centre (existing GS, GA, C, GD, GK bibs can be used)
- Rotations: Players to rotate to ensure equal opportunity in all positions
- Court set-up: Two thirds of the court, simple marked goal circle (flat markers or chalk-drawn lines), 2 x portable goals or 1 x fixed and 1 x portable goal
- Movement on court: Court split in half – C, everywhere except goal circle; A&D, half of area including goal circle
- Start of play: The C from each team will use Paper, Scissors, Rock to determine who will start with the ball at the start of every quarter. Play starts from halfway (transverse line) in the middle of the court. After a goal is scored play restarts by the opposing team from halfway.
- Player participation time: Minimum of half a game
Competition set-up
- No scores kept, but teams should be graded
- No Competition ranking or leagues
Weekly participation
- One to two sessions (including game) per week
- Approximately 45-60 minutes per session
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