Anne's Westoe Coaching: 17th session

I arrived 10 minutes before the session, i set out the start drill to the same pass and run exercise, to my surprise only 2 girls turned up 15 minutes into the session this was not enough to do the pass and run drill. Luckily for me there were about 4 boys near by wanting to play with the basket ball hoops, so i kindly asked them if they would like to join in the session, they said yes they would which was great. So we started doing the pass and running drill.
From then on we moved into a little game as i no the children did not have much time left for them to go to their dinners, so 10 minutes into the game they had to leave for their dinner. When playing against the boys the girls found it rather hard as they were alot faster and stronger. But unlike the girls the boys struggled on footwork, keeping their feet still and also bouncing the ball alot, which i think that's just from the fact they do alot of basketball which the rules are rather different from netball in footwork and bouncing the ball. I had to leave the session early again 15 minutes before the end as the girls did not turn up after their dinner.

Footwork

One of the trickiest rules to remember in netball is getting your footwork right. If a player catches the ball with only one foot on the ground then that foot is called the landing foot. A player can then choose to step with the other foot, lift the landing foot and throw the ball before the landing foot returns to the ground. Or they can pivot on the landing foot and move the other foot any number of times - depending on how flexible the player is!
But they are NOT allowed to move or hop on the landing foot until they have thrown the ball. A player can also jump, switching from the landing foot to their other one, and then jump again to throw the ball. If a player has both feet on the floor when catching the ball they will choose their landing foot and follow the rules as above. If a player breaks the footwork rule it is usually called stepping and a free pass is awarded.

Netball: landing

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.

STEP ONE

As you jump or run to catch the ball keep your eye firmly fixed on it.
Catch it with your thumbs pointed upwards and towards the eyes. Bring your arms back into your body so you take the force out of the pass.
You can improve this move by turning in the air before you land to keep defenders guessing.

STEP TWO

To regain your balance you have to absorb the energy from your jump.
Bend your knees and flex your ankles as both feet hit the floor. Try to land on the balls of your feet, not your heels.
Bring the ball into your body to protect it from watchful defenders.

STEP THREE

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.