Strength
Strength is needed to constantly jump to pass and intercept the ball. It is also used with the arms in passing. Strength is also required for quick bursts of speed throughout the game.
Strength is required by the WA to constantly jump for the ball and to make passes.
Flexibility
Flexibility is used in netball to help with agility. The body joints and muscles have to be flexible to help in the speed of change of direction which is used a lot during the game. Having good flexibility also helps to prevent injury.
Agility
Agility is required as quick movement and change of direction dodging is important to get into position to intercept, receive and pass the ball.
This is important in the WA position when attacking.
Speed and reaction time
There are two types of speed needed in netball. Speed of movement and speed in reacting quickly. Speed of movement is used in intercepting passes and to get away from opponents to receive passes. Reaction time is the ability to receive and then pass the ball quickly to a team member to be able to continue an attack. Reaction time is also important when intercepting opponents passes. The centre needs to have quick reaction time at a restart when the referee blows the whistle and they have to get the ball quickly for their own team.
The WA has to have speed of movement. They also need quick reaction time to decide the best person to pass the ball to.
Co-ordination
A good hand eye co-ordination is needed in netball. This is used in passing and receiving the ball. It is also about an awareness of where other team members are so the ball can be taken and passed quickly. When receiving a pass the hands have to co-ordinate with the eyes to be able to catch the ball correctly. The eye will be watching the ball being passed so the hand position is important for the type of pass. A pass could be in the air or a bounce pass. The hands would have to be in different positions.
The WA receives and passes the ball continually throughout the game so co-ordination is important in this position.
Balance
Balance is about controlling body movement. In netball balance is important as a player cannot move their feet when in possession of the ball. Balance is needed to be able to make a good pass quickly also when jumping to receive or pass the ball good balance is needed on landing.
Once again the WA has to have good balance as they receive and pass the ball many times throughout the game.
Skills needed for netball
There are a number of different skills used in netball mainly to do with passing the ball.
Bounce pass
If your opponent is tall a good pass to use is the bounce pass as the ball can be passed under their arms. The ball can only bounce once before reaching your team member. The bounce pass can be disguised as a chest pass as both start from the same position. Good technique is needed to make the pass accurate. A bounce pass can be made with one or two hands.
Chest pass
The chest pass is a very quick way to get the ball to the other team members as it travels directly to them. It is best used in a very quick attack where the opponents haven’t got time to mark closely.
Shoulder pass
This pass is usually performed with one hand. It is a pass high through the air to a team member. Its can be used to make the pass over defenders heads. It can be used for making longer passes.
This pass can be good for the WA to get the ball quickly into the goal attack area.
Footwork
If you end up facing in the wrong direction after receiving the ball the rules allow you to take one step whilst holding the ball. This can enable you to pivot round to get in the correct position to pass the ball. Balance and reaction time are important in this technique as you only have three seconds to release the ball. More able netball players will turn in the air.
Shooting
This skill is only needed for the goal attack and the goal shooter. The shot has to be well aimed and accurate. Speed is important as the shooter only has three seconds to make the shot. A high shooting average is vital if a team is to be successful.
Tactics, Strategies and Team Skills
Although individual performance is important, netball is a team game. Strategy starts with individuals knowing their positions and roles during the game. Strategy is also about the defensive role, central role and attacking role. It is about getting control of the ball and moving it into attack. It is also about stopping the opponents from attacking you and turning the defence back into attack.
Tactics are used to put the strategies into practice. Tactics used in netball can be the use of blocking, to prevent an opponents pass. Dodging, to get away from an opponent to receive a pass. Marking an opponent either man to man or double marking an opponent. For instance double marking the goal attack to be able to make a better block when they try to pass. The team coach will develop tactics for both defence and attack to use and team tactics to get the ball from one end of the court to the other as quickly as possible.
Important team skills are throwing, passing, receiving, intercepting and shooting with the ball. Also marking, blocking and dodging opponents. These skills are used by the team in all areas of the court.
Josie does have a good understanding of the rules of netball and realises the need to observe them so as not to give away any penalty.
Josie always turns up on time to practices and matches.
Analyse and identify in detail the strengths of the player/competitor/participant or self.
Fitness Levels
Strength
Although Josie’s stamina and speed are a weakness the strength needed in netball is good. Josie is strong in jumping to intercept or pass the ball. She is also strong throughout the game when making passes.
Co-ordination
Josie’s hand eye co-ordination is very good. Her ability to intercept the ball and then to pass quickly to a team member is excellent.
Flexibility
Josie’s flexibility is very good. Her ability to reach down low and high to intercept the ball during a game is very useful. Being flexible also helps Josie to prevent injuries.
Skills
Josie is very good at intercepting the ball. She can read the play well to help her turn the ball over.
Her ability to perform a bounce pass is very good. This could be because she is short and can get the ball under the opponent’s arms.
She is also very good performing the chest pass at speed.
When receiving a centre pass Josie comes out to receive the ball using a variety of dodges.
Analyse and identify in detail the weaknesses of the player/competitor/participant or self.
Fitness Levels
Cardiovascular Endurance
Josie carried out the Coopers Run test which measures stamina. The test is a run around a 200 metre track over a 12 minute period. Josie completed 4 laps. Josie was breathing heavy at the end and was very tired.
During a game of netball Josie gets tired towards the end. This affects her skill ability in moving, receiving and passing the ball. It also affects her reaction time.
Josie needs to improve her cardiovascular endurance to help improve her stamina levels.
Speed
Josie needs to be able to improve her speed. During netball she slows down during the game. Improving her stamina will help towards improving her speed.
Agility
Josie finds it hard to move (dodge) in and out of players. Josie will need to work on how to do this.
Skills
Josie has a problem with her footwork. She tends to lose balance and co-ordination. This then affects her ability to make a pass. This is an area Josie needs to work on to improve her performance.
Josie also has a problem with the high shoulder pass. She is not very accurate when making this type of pass. This could be a problem with her size as she is quite short.
Josie also needs to work on being able to stay with an opponent (guarding) when the other team have the ball.
