Netball Coaching for Kids: Niki's Guide to Fun, Fundamentals & Footwork

We recently interviewed Level 2 Netball Coach Niki for her expert insights on teaching children netball, focusing on skill development, player safety, and making netball fun for young athletes

"I’m Niki, I’m a level 2 netball coach! I have coached girls and women aged 5 to 25+ at junior clubs, local schools, ladies’ clubs and at university in Leeds, UK. I have played netball since I was 6 at school and I now play netball for a local club with my main positions being WA and GA. I have such a love for the game and adore sharing it with children looking to learn and to develop." 

Netball Coaching for Kids: Niki's Guide to Fun, Fundamentals & Footwork    

1. How do you typically introduce young children to the game of netball, considering their age and skill level?

Thankfully the first introduction is usually arranged by netball-loving mums so that part’s easy; my main focus for the first few sessions are all the best bits of netball, getting them running around, passing the ball to each other and working together in fun team drills. There isn’t much emphasis on the rules but to just enjoy the main components of the game. 

2. Can you share insights into the importance of age-appropriate netball apparel, including clothing and shoes, for children participating in the sport? 

I would always highlight the need for specific netball trainers – I think young kids tend to have a “one trainer fits all sports” attitude without realising the importance of sport specific wear for safety as they are developing. In addition, I would add the need for long socks to add some ankle stability and non-restrictive sportswear so they can really make the most of the exercises and running about. 

3. In your experience, what key skills or fundamental techniques do you prioritize when coaching young players in netball?

Week by week we would look to cover all areas including defending, attacking, shooting etc. but I think for the younger players every session I would continuously emphasise passing and footwork. I think it can be very difficult for them to initially grasp the concept of not running or moving with the ball so this is something that should be prioritised for sure. However ultimately the fundamentality of passing and catching and building up a strong technique is vital for them to be able to develop along their netball journey.

4. How do you ensure a positive and inclusive environment for children in your netball coaching sessions?

This can be a challenge at times as often girls will come to sessions in groups with their friends and to start we do often see a range of abilities, I find filling the sessions with lots of team exercises, where everyone has to get the ball before you score a point for example, and constantly mixing up groups helps. I would always emphasise the concept that netball is a team game, and everyone needs to work together to be successful in situations to ensure inclusivity. I mean that is the beauty of netball that it isn’t a solo sport, and you need to be a cohesive unit in order to do well, this is definitely something that I try to instil in the children. 

5. What strategies do you use to help children understand and follow the rules of netball during both practice and actual matches?

There are the well-known sayings of “one two, stick like glue” to help with footwork but I find the easiest way is constant reinforcement and allowing them to ask lots of questions. In all the drills I do we get them to practise with “netball rules”, watching their footwork and distance when marking etc., and stopping matches when infringements are made to ask them why they think the whistle has blown. There will always be some children who pick things up straight away and some that struggle more, but once this is identified we can target our attention to help them and over time I have found this quite successful. 

6. Can you provide examples of fun and engaging drills or activities you incorporate into your coaching to develop teamwork among young netball players?

One thing I have found quite consistently across groups I have coached is they love races, be it running, passing or even completing footwork patterns, they all really seem to come together to cheer on others in their teams, in desperation to win (but this is usually needed alongside some very tactical team selections to spread out different abilities). The number one exercise however is always Golden Child, a game where one team is shooting while the other team is running around a marked area in a race to score goals and stop them running – I think the combination of getting the chance to shoot as a group, just for fun relieves the pressure and the running as fast and as far as you can bring them so much excitement and joy!

7. How do you adapt your coaching style to cater to the varying skill levels and learning abilities of children in your netball program? 

I tend to add to all my sessions and every drill an advancement and a simplification of the exercise that can be applied depending on if groups are succeeding with ease or struggling. Although team drills are usually done with mixed abilities to even out the groups, more specific drills I tend to group the girls by abilities so that these alterations can be added to help everyone improve and develop at a level that works for them. 

8. When it comes to match play, what emphasis do you place on sportsmanship, fair play, and fostering a love for the game among the children?

For the younger girls this is hugely important. Netball is such a game where you can’t do it alone and that’s such a beauty about it it’s such a nice way to make friends and learn to work together and ultimately this should become a huge drive for them wanting to improve personally for the benefit of their team. This is exactly how I feel even now when I play for my own club which definitely helps me push this for the girls too! 

9. How do you handle challenges or setbacks that children may face in their netball journey, and how do you encourage resilience and perseverance?

This is definitely a hard one, I find working one-to-one with the girls and keeping an open dialogue about their progress and how they feel allows you to establish individual goals with them to help them move on from any setbacks. These goals will often be small and achievable to ensure they gain back confidence in themselves and their ability and ultimately make sure they never fall out of love with the brilliant game that is netball. 

10. Could you share a success story or memorable moment from your coaching experience that highlights the positive impact you've had on a child's development in netball?

In a recent match I was coaching for an U14 team my team were losing to begin with largely due to a very strong and tall GS on the opposition and everyone’s heads were down. During quarter time I took our GK aside and we had a great chat about new ways of holding the shooter high and out of her comfort zone. In Q2 my GK put all her energy into this new strategy with brilliant success and her confidence sky-rocketed leading her to make some amazing interceptions and win player of the match – it made my day.