Pass, Catch, Shoot: The Skills of Netball

Imagine you are holding a ball and you cannot run with it. You must stand still and get the ball to your teammate on the other side of the court. How would you do it? Netball is a team sport where players are not allowed to move while they hold the ball. That one rule makes every skill in netball really important!

Netball uses several important skills. Let's look at each one. **Passing** Passing means throwing the ball to a teammate. There are two main passes in netball. • The chest pass: Hold the ball at chest height with both hands. Push it straight out towards your teammate with your fingers pointing forward. This pass is fast and accurate over short distances. • The bounce pass: Push the ball down so it bounces once on the ground before reaching your teammate. Use this when a defender is blocking a chest pass. **Catching** When you receive the ball, reach your hands out to meet it. Spread your fingers wide to make a safe 'W' shape with your thumbs and index fingers. Pull the ball gently into your body to keep control. **Footwork Rule** When you catch the ball, you may land on one foot and use the other foot as a pivot foot — that means you can step around with it. You must NOT move your landing foot, or lift it and put it down again. Breaking this rule gives the ball to the other team. **Shooting** Only players in special positions are allowed to shoot. To shoot, stand balanced with feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the ball above your head with both hands. Aim at the back of the ring and push the ball upward with a smooth, controlled movement. Follow through by straightening your arms and wrists.