17 Fun Netball Drills - Improve Shooting, Passing, Footwork and More

Tired of those same boring netball drills?

We know exactly how you feel. Performing the same repetitive netball drills can make the sport feel pretty boring. On the other hand, practicing with the right drills doesn’t seem like practice at all, and makes bettering your on court performance so much easier and more enjoyable.

This is why we’ve put together nine super fun netball drills so that you can have a great time while improving those all important netball skills.

These netball drills will help you to improve on a variety of netball skills such as:

• Netball Passing
• Netball Shooting
• Netball Footwork
• Netball Fitness
• Netball Preparation/warm-up
• Netball Catching
• Netball Agility

They are also all great beginner netball drills and will greatly improve your in game performance, giving you and your teammates the ultimate edge.

Netball Drills:

Reach and Catch Drill

type of netball drill: netball passing drill

• For this drill you’ll need to be in a group of about six with one ball

• Set up a square using six cones

• Have all of the players stand a short distance outside of the square

• Have one of the players outside the square start by holding the ball

• The drill starts when a player enters the square and calls for the pass

• They should move at pace towards the ball and try to receive the pass

• They should then pass the ball to a player outside of the square

• The player who receives the pass can then pass to another player who enters the square

• No two players should be in the square at the same time

• Players should run towards the ball when receiving the pass

• Concentrate on communication and pivoting well before throwing a pass

• To make this drill harder try changing the size and shape of the square

Click here to see a video demonstration of this netball drill.

Pressure Shooting Drill

type of netball drill: netball shooting drill

• One of the most fun netball drills that will greatly improve your accuracy

• For this simple drill all you need is a goal, a ball and a few cones

• Simply place a few cones at fixed positions away from the goal

• Your goal should be to try to score at least three times from each position

• Focus on accuracy and the speed of shooting

• To make this drill harder, simply further the shooting positions away from the goal

Click here to see a video demonstration of this netball drill.

Figure 8 Drill

type of netball drill: netball footwork drill

• Set up two cones horizontally about a shoulders width apart from each other

• Circle outside the two cones in a figure 8 movement

• Every time a call is made the player should run through the space between the cones

• After performing the figure 8 the player can then perform lateral hops side to side behind the cones

• To make this drill harder have a player opposite pass and drop a ball to the player at the cones while they perform the figure 8 and lateral hopping movement

Click here to see a video demonstration of this netball drill.

Resistance Band Pull and Place

type of netball drill: netball fitness drill

• Perform 2 sets of 3 reps of 30 seconds

• take 60 seconds rest between reps and 2 minutes rest between sets

• Attach a resistance band to a wall/pole then to a player

• Set up two cones in a straight line far enough so the player can run from bottom to top

• The player should then run from bottom to top for the required sets and reps, making sure to touch the cones when reaching them

Click here to see a video demonstration of this drill.

Lateral Shuffle Drill

type of netball drill: netball warm-up drill

• Set up two rows of cones a distance opposite each other going in a straight line

• Have the players line up in between the cones, each player in line with a cone

• Then simply point in a direction and have the players move in that direction using a lateral shuffle

• Focus on no stepping, and fast reaction times

Click here to see a video demonstration of this netball drill.

Reaction Pass Drill

type of netball drill: netball passing drill

• Have one feeder with a ball

• Have a working player standing a short distance opposite faced away from the feeder

• To start the drill the worker should turn towards the feeder

• The feeder should release the ball to the left or right of the working player

• The worker should quickly react and pass back to the feeder

• The worker should be focused on making quick turns and running towards the ball to receive it

• To make this drill harder, the distance should be increased and the types of passes should be varied

Click here to see a video demonstration of this netball drill.

X Drill

type of netball drill: netball fitness drill

• Take 60 seconds rest between reps and 2 minutes rest between sets

• Place a central cone with four cones about 6 metres diagonally from the centre cone

• Start in the centre, sprint to the corner, and lateral shuffle back to the centre

• Repeat this to every corner and finish in the centre

• Perform 2 sets of 4 reps

Click here to see a video demonstration of this drill.

Shooting Around The Circle

type of netball drill: netball shooting drill

• set up cones in an arc that gets gradually further from the post to the edge of the circle

• Start at the nearest cone and work your way back to the furthest cone

• With each attempt try to take no more than 3 seconds and count how many you score

• Try to better your scores and set up the cones in different positions to change shooting positions to make this drill harder

• Another way you can make this drill harder is by having a defender to try to defend your shot

Click here to see a video demonstration of this drill.

Fast Feet Call Drill

type of netball drill: netball footwork drill

• One of the most rewarding netball drills that will improve netball footwork and reaction times

• Set up four cones in a square with different colours, with the player standing at the centre

• When a colour is called have the player put a foot out to the colour called

• Variation 2 is the player should push off and put her hips out to the colour called, the player should be facing downcourt and so their hips should be moving not their entire body

• Variation 3 is when a colour is called a ball is thrown to that colour and the player must receive the pass

• Variation 4 is no call but the ball is thrown in the square, the player must react

Click here for a video demonstration of this drill.

Attacking Movement and Passing Drill

type of netball drill: netball attacking and passing drill

• Position cones diagonally across the court

• Have a player standing by each cone

• Each cone represents an opposing teams player

• The objective of this drill is to practice explosive movement to get free, take the ball on the move and release a quick pass

• The drill starts with the player facing downcourt to the left or right of the first cone

• They start by receiving a pass from the player at the first cone

• As the player goes for the catch they need to be concentrating on driving towards the ball

• The passer needs to remember to place the pass out in front of them to force the player to run to the ball

• As the first pass is being completed, the player at the second cone needs to be on the move, cutting in at an angle ready to take the ball out in front

• This player can then release a pass to the player at the third cone

• Then the ball is passed in the circle to the last player to finish the drill by scoring

• You can change which players are at which cones and can change which side you are on to vary this drill

• Focus on running out towards the ball, accurately passing and communication

Click here to see a video demonstration of this drill.

2 Steps Forward 1 Step Back Drill

type of netball drill: netball fitness drill

• Rest 60 seconds between reps and 2 minutes between sets

• Place 5-6 cones 3-5 metres apart

• Accelerate and sprint the length of 2 cones then back 1 cone

Click here to see a video demonstration of this netball drill.

Running Box Drill

type of netball drill: netball catching and passing drill

• One of the best team netball drills to work on passing, catching and communication

• For this drill, you’ll need to be in a group of five

• Start by making up a large box with cones

• Have a player at each corner with a player in the middle cone

• To start, the player on the first corner needs to run to the next cone while receiving a pass

• This player should then pass to the player after them who should have already started their run from the next cone

• As you pass on the move, concentrate on running onto the ball of the cone

• Focus on clean passing without bring the ball to your chest

• Remember to open your body up to receive the pass and to release the pass without infringing the footwork rule

• The pass needs to be timed so that the ball is out in front of the receiver, to prevent slowing down their movement around the box

• The receiver also needs to time their run for the chain to run smoothly

• To make this drill harder you can increase the pace of the drill and cut into the box to receive the ball

• You could also change direction or have two balls in play at once

Click here to see a video demonstration of this drill.

3 on 3 Defending Drill

type of netball drill: netball defence drill

• To start set up a rectangular area marked out with cones that is no greater than one half of the third court area

• There are 2 teams, an attacking team and a defending team

• The attacking team starts with one of their players feeding the ball into the square to one of their teammates

• For the first variation of this drill, man on man defending, the defending team needs to concentrate on marking an opposition player each, attempting to stick with them, and staying ball sight to prevent them from receiving it

• Defenders will need to concentrate on keeping an eye on the attackers movement and where the ball is at the same time

• As the attackers seek out space to receive the ball, defenders may have to switch which player their marking, this will mean that the defenders will need to communicate well, so that the player doesn’t become double marked which would leave the other attacker completely free to receive the ball

• The attacking team should concentrate on passing and moving quickly, focusing on using different passes and keeping areas of the square open to create space for passes to be passed into

• This means always thinking ahead and keeping the defenders guessing with fake passes and quick changes of direction

Second Variation

• The second variation of this drill will be the defenders to use the zone defence rather than 1 on 1

• This means each defending player switches to defending a specific area rather than a specific player

• With this system defenders should work together to cover as much space as possible to reduce the free areas the attackers can move into

• With this style of defending you should concentrate on stopping short passes and then try to intercept any longer more risky passes

• As with 1 on 1 defence communication between the defenders is key to maintaining pressure on the player with the ball and the free attacking players

• Attackers should use this drill to practice their full range of moving skills to get free

• You’ll soon realise you’ll only be successful doing this by working together

• Make sure the defenders are competitive at all times and are aware of the spaces their trying to protect and cover

• Also notice that the attackers need to release passes that allow the receiver to keep the ball guarded from any defenders

• As a variation you can increase or decrease the size of the drill area or limit the passes the attackers use to shoulder height or below only

• You can run this drill as a timed session or as a set number of completed attacking passes

• Defenders can see how successful they’ve been by keeping a note of how many interceptions the’ve made

Click here to see a video demonstration of this netball drill.

England Warm-up Drill

type of netball drill: netball warm-up drill

• One of the most used netball drills used by the England netball team themselves

• Start by gently jogging up and down the court

• Then use side steps to move up and down the court

• Then use heel flicks

• Lastly, introduce some skipping up and down the court

• Remember to keep warming up light and remember to warm-up at least 10 minutes before a game

Click here to see a video demonstration of this drill.

Hurdle Bounds Drill

type of netball drill: netball fitness drill

• Perform 2 sets of 4 reps

• Take 60 seconds rest between reps and 2 minutes rest between sets

• Place 4 hurdles for explosive bounding

• Bound as fast as possible with no time to gather yourself

• Sprint to a 7 metre marker

Click here to see a video demonstration of this drill.

3 Point Passing Drill

type of netball drill: netball passing drill, netball stability drill

• Set up a triangle with 3 cones

• Working in groups of 3, initially pass the ball around the triangle using the chest pass technique

• Concentrate on passing accurately to your partners chest area

• Once you get a good rhythm going try standing on one leg only, this will destabilise you so focus on keeping your balance through the pass and maintaining accuracy

• If your group passes the ball well, into your chest then you should need minimal movement to set and pass the ball on

• If you need to receive inaccurate passes then you’ll need to get used to remaining on one leg while shifting your centre of gravity

• Try to focus on rebalancing yourself rather than putting your raised leg on the ground

• To make this drill harder you can any pass around the circle, still keeping the ball moving in the same direction

• This will develop your range of movement

• As an added challenge, try catching and releasing in the same position, so if you receive the ball above your head use an overhead pass

• With passes coming at all heights and both sides of you, you’ll find it more difficult to balance yourself and throw accurate passes, but with plenty of practice your core strength will increase and you’ll find this drill easier

• Remember to change legs as you go through the drill so you increase balance on both sides

• Focus on good technique and a quick catch and release when passing

• When players start on one leg, make sue players keep their head up and look for the pass, rather than looking down at what their feet are doing

• Focus on good balance

Click here to see a video demonstration of this drill.

Change Of Direction Drill

type of netball drill: netball agility drill

• This is one of the best solo netball drills and for this drill all you need are some cones

• Set up the cones in a zigzag formation and change direction at each cone, leading with your lead foot

• To make this drill harder you can throw the cones into the air and have them be placed in a random order

• Focus on speed and leading with your lead foot

Click here to see a video demonstration of this netball drill.

We hope you have benefitted from these drills and if you did be sure to visit our homepage to check out even more netball drills.