Defence is the corner stone of every successful netball team. Check out some of these drills that will improve your teams defensive capabilities. Remember practice frequently, intensify your training and continue t push your boundaries to see the best results.
Drill 1 – Piggy in the Middle
Players should divide themselves in to 3 teams with one team starting in the middle and the rest of the players forming a ring outside of them. The ball should be passed between members of the ring. If the ball is lost, the team that lost the ball goes into the middle.
After 10 passes, another team should switch with the team in the middle.
You can do this drill with smaller groups by having 1 person in the middle instead of small teams.
Drill 2 – 3 on to 1
2 of the attackers pass the able to each other no more than 3 times and within that time should aim to get the ball to the 3rd player that is being marked by the defender. The defender should stick to his player and try intercept the pass the other 2 are attempting to make. The key here for the defender is timing his/her interception.
Drill 3 – Advance Defence
This drill requires 2 equal teams of 4 or more. One team are the attackers and the other the defenders. All the defenders wait outside of the court except one who remains on the final 3rd of the court with the attackers. The attackers must achieve a set of 5 passes without the ball being intercepted by the defender. If there is not interception after 5 passes, a defender comes on to the court and joins the single defender. The process begins again until all the defenders are on the court. If the ball is intercepted at any time alternate so that the attackers become defenders.
Coaching Tip: You can vary the game so that you count how many interceptions occur rather than alternate attackers and defenders after every interception.