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Physical Education

Netball Passing and Catching

Overview

Students practise the two main passes in netball — chest pass and bounce pass — focusing on accuracy and footwork.

Learning Objective
Students develop the chest pass, bounce pass, and catching technique used in netball.

Resources needed

  • Ball or tied cloth ball
  • Marked court or open space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Teach the chest pass: hold ball at chest, step forward, push with both hands, follow through.
  2. 2 Pairs practise chest pass from 3 metres — aim for partner's chest.
  3. 3 Teach the bounce pass: push the ball to bounce once, two-thirds of the way to partner.
  4. 4 Pairs practise bounce pass.
  5. 5 Add the footwork rule: catch the ball, land on one foot, pivot on that foot only.
  6. 6 Combine: receive with correct landing, then pass.
  7. 7 Small group drill: triangle passing, rotating after each pass.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Add a defender between two passers — passers must avoid interception.
  • One-handed shoulder pass for advanced students.
  • Increase passing speed — how many passes in 30 seconds?
More information

Teach: chest pass, bounce pass, pivot, receive, footwork. The pivot rule is the most important — demonstrate it clearly before adding it.

Remove the footwork rule initially — add it only when passing technique is secure.

Is the chest pass flat and direct? Are students landing correctly and pivoting rather than running with the ball?

A tied cloth ball works well for passing drills. Any open space with marked triangles in soil works for the group drill.

Students take extra steps after catching. Reinforce: when you catch, plant your foot — that foot does not move. Only the other foot can step.

Netball is played in over 80 countries. The chest pass and pivot are its two most distinctive technical requirements and distinguish it clearly from basketball.

Activity details
Primary Medium 25 minutes 5 minutes prep Pairs, Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Netball Passing Catching