Shooting

Introduction

Shooting is an extremely important part of the game as you need to get goals to win. So why is it the area of the game which is most avoided by teachers? You don’t have to be a shooter to teach shooting. When I’m coaching shooting I show them the technique but I don’t go anywhere near a post myself therefore avoiding that embarrassing situation when you miss!

The below practices look at the technique and drills that can be set for shooters which will help motivate and provide the teaching points to help teachers and coaches feel more confident in building this important part of the game.

The Technique

The Set Up: 1 player working with 1 ball and a netball post.

The Practice: This practice allows the individual to concentrate on the technique of the shot from feet to follow through.

The technique is based around every part of the body facing the post. Imagine the net as a continuous tube which goes to the ground. If everything faces this tube, where else can the ball go? Well that’s the idea anyway. Individuals must set up the correct technique each time they take the shot checking their stance, their action and their follow through. It’s great to get a partner to watch you to show you where you’re going wrong. Make sure you practice from various positions around the post.

The Stance

• Feet hip distance apart
• Knees relaxed
• Hips facing forward, shoulders facing forward, elbows facing forward

Ball Position

• Ball ideally held in 1 hand with fingers soft. There should be a limited gap between the palm of the hand and the ball. The 2nd hand can be used for balance but should not put any pressure on to the ball
• Younger players may need to hold the ball in 2 hands to help with power but this means that 2 forces are acting on the ball which will mean more chance of error
• Ball is held high – imagine your arm stretching straight upwards touching your ear. Your elbow will be by your forehead

The Shot

• The elbow bends, like a lever so that it’s only the top part of the arm that moves. The elbow should stay by the forehead
• The ball then drops back as the knees bend
• As the arm and knees straighten, the ball is pushed off the hand making the ball spin upwards on a high trajectory
• The hand flicks forward ending up with a high arm and a down turned hand
• The shot is all about ‘the feel’ which is why it doesn’t matter that you cannot see the ball

Teaching Points

• The Stance:
• Feet hip distance apart
• Relaxed knees
• Hips facing forward and level
• Shoulders facing forward and level

• Ball Position:
• Relax the fingers and hold the ball high
• Ball placed within the hand so there is not a gap between the ball and the fingers
• You should not be able to see the ball as it’s held high
• Ball should be balanced on one hand with the 2nd hand as a support so the ball feels more controlled
• If holding with 2 hands then follow the above points with both hands taking on the role

• The Shot:
• Bend the knees and the elbow at the same time
• The power of the shot comes from the knees
• Elbow, when bent, will face forward as the ball hand levers backwards, the lever action means the elbow does not drop below the height of the forehead
• Arm straightens as the knees straighten and the ball is released at the height of the arm extension
• Hand flicks the ball upwards making the ball spin backwards which helps trajectory of the ball
• Hand ends in a downward position
• If using 2 hands then both hands act together as above
• Aim for above the net (imagine a witches hat on top of the goal and you’re aiming for the centre point)

Common Errors:-

• The Stance:
• One foot has stepped forward therefore stepping close to the defender
• Feet have a narrow base which will not provide the required balance for the shot
• Hips and shoulders are not level with one side of the body pulling forward. Often good for partner to hold the shoulder back during the shot so player can feel the correct movement

• Ball Position:
• The fingers are too straight and not relaxed
• There is a gap between fingers and the ball
• Ball is held with 2 hands when player has strength to convert to 1 hand (this should be taught from year 7/8 upwards if possible)

• The Shot:
• Elbow drops below the forehead resulting in the ball being pushed upwards rather than released with a flick
• One shoulder moves forward so body is out of line
• Knees do not bend therefore losing the power
• The arm does not release at full extension
• The finishing position of the arm is not straight up – many will finish with their arm pointing to the goal, this means you lose the height as is an easy correction for a teacher to make to get the extra trajectory
• There is no flick at the end of the shot so the ball does not reach it’s full height potential
• Aiming for the back of the goal post, this means ball will be flat and you need to get the ‘swoosh’ effect so ball goes through the net without touching the sides

No.1 - Shooting Golf

The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball, 1 goal post and between 5 and 10 cones. Player A is the shooter and Player B is the feeder.

The Practice: This practice is called shooting golf, the aim is to go round the course in as few shots as possible. If there are 5 cones then the course becomes a Par 5 course. If there are 10 cones, the course becomes a 10 par course. Player A takes a shot from each cone and only moves onto the next cone once she is successful. The feeder collects the ball after each shots and feeds to the shooter.

Teaching Points - See ‘The Technique’ Teaching Points

Common Errors:-

• Once a competition element is added, technique often goes
• Get the feeder to concentrate on the technique as well as counting the shots

No.2 - Shooting the Hoop

The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball and a hoop. Player A is the shooter and player B the defender. The Shooter stands opposite the hoop positioned on the floor c2m away. The defender stands c half a metre in-front of the hoop with arms raised as high as possible creating a block.

The Practice: The Shooters aim is to get the ball over the arms of the defender to land in the centre of the hoop. The idea is to use the correct technique focusing on the ending position and flick which sends the ball ‘up and over’.

Teaching Points - Also see ‘The Technique’ Teaching Points

• Aim to reach hoop/partners hands without them moving
• Praise correct technique over landing in the hoop/partners hands
• Player B to make themselves as tall as possible to help the shooters concentrate on getting the height of the shot

Common Errors:-

• Players focus on getting the ball in the hoop rather than the technique
• Teachers praises the ball landing in the hoop over the correct technique
• Ball is too flat, this is because the arm does not finish high
• Technique is forgotten once players are in a practice situation

No.3 - Feeding the Shooter

The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball in the shooting semi circle. Player A is the shooter and starts outside the circle. Player B is the feeder and starts with the ball at the top of the shooting semi circle.

The Practice: The Shooter runs in from outside the circle from various positions and speeds. She receives the ball which is passed in-front of her. She takes her time to set up the correct position before shooting using the correct technique. The shooter follows the shot and collects the rebound and passes the ball back to the feeder.

Progression: Add a defender who passively marks the run of the shooter therefore putting pressure on the feeder to make the correct pass. The defender then marks the shot making sure she is 0.9m away from the feet of the shooter.

Teaching Points

For the feeder:-

• Pass the ball in-front of the player so they can run on to it, this will also mean it’s passed away from the defender

For the shooter:-

• Build up the speed into the circle as will always be running to receive the ball
• Take time to set up the shot so it’s not rushed
• Ensure full technique is followed
• Go for the rebound after each shot as this is good practice for a match situation

No.4 - The Roll

The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball in the semi circle. Player A is the shooter and Player b is the feeder.

The Practice: The feeder rolls the ball into the circle, the shooter counts for 2 seconds before sprinting in to the circle, collects the ball and sets up for the shot. Following the shot, the shooter collects the rebound and feeds back to the feeder.

Teaching Points

For the feeder:-

• Ensure ball is delivered in a straight line using an under arm pass :- bend knees, hand under ball, arm back, step into the pass and follow through
• Use a straight line for the feeder to aim to pass the ball down to ensure fair play

For the player:-

• Players to start in a sprint position so ready to run towards the ball
• Keep centre of gravity low
• Scoop the ball up and into both hands
• Aggression is good
• It’s better to perform this task a few times with aggression and speed than lots of time where aggression, speed and motivation may be lost

Common Errors:-

• The ball is rolled to one side as the feeder does not follow through correctly
• The workers are not ready for the roll so slow to react
• Players do not move onto the ball aggressively

No.5 - 1 v 1

The Set Up: 3 players working with 1 ball. Player A is the shooter, player B the defender and player C collects the rebound.

The Practice: The shooter starts to the edge of the circle and throws the ball to herself so she lands nearer the post. The defender take son the defence position, 0.9m way from the landing foot, the shooter sets up for the shot and shoots within 3 secs. The feeder collects the rebound and the practice starts again.

Teaching Points

• Shooter to ensure she is balanced before taking the shot
• Concentrate on the end positioning of the arm ensuring it’s high
• Concentrate on the hand flick giving the ball some spin

Common Errors:-

• Ball is too flat, this is because the arm does not finish high
• Technique is forgotten once players are in a practice situation
• Defender is too close

No.6 - Group Shooting

The Set Up: 3 players working with 1 ball within the semi circle. All players are shooters and stand behind one another.

The Practice: 1 at a time, Players step up to a set spot, take a shot, using the correct technique, collect the rebound, turn in the air or pivot to face the next shooter in line. The practice continues and once a shot has been taken, the shooter joins the back of the line.

Teaching Points

• 3 people is enough for this practice as this keeps more players involved at one time
• Competition between players is good as it becomes a more real situation

Common Errors:-

• Players rush the shot and therefore not concentrating on technique
• Teachers praise the ball going through the net rather than the technique as this can increase chance of bad habits
• Rebound is not seen as a part of the practice so players become lazy

No.7 - Shooters Change of Direction

The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball in the semi circle. Player A is the feeder and the top of the semi circle, Player B is the shooter.

The Practice: The shooter runs into the circle, changes direction to receive a pass. The shooter takes the shot and follows through for the rebound, turns in the air and passes the ball back to the feeder. How many goals can be scored from 10 attempts?

Teaching Points

• Shooter to really drive to the side of the circle and back again making a powerful change of direction
• Better to have 5 quality runs and swap round than 10 lack lustre attempts
• Feeder to concentrate on feeding the ball in front the shooter

Common Errors:-

• Shooter does not drive onto the ball
• Shooter does not set the shot up correctly

No.8 - Moving Feeders

The Set Up: 4 players working with 1 ball. Player A is the shooter, Players B to D the feeders who are positioned around the semi circle.

The Practice: Feeders pass the ball across the circle 3 times to a moving player before passing the ball in to the shooter. The shooter moves to the ball each time allowing the feeder to pass to a moving forward player. The shooter shoots, collects the rebound and passes the ball back to any of the feeders. Repeat 5 times before swapping round.

Teaching Points

• Feeds must be direct and powerful across the circle
• The shooter to change direction by pushing off from the foot furthest from the ball
• The shooter to drive on to the ball
• Concentrate on shooting technique
• Feeders to be moving so the ball is passed to a moving player

Common Errors:-

• Shooters rushing the shot before gaining their breath

No.9 - Shooting Fitness

The Set Up: 2 players working with 1 ball. Player A is the shooter and Player B the retriever.

The Practice: To practice fitness combined with accurate shooting. The retriever positions the ball anywhere in the semi circle. The shooter runs to touch the side line of the court, pushes off and sprints back to the ball. The shooter takes the shot before running back to the side line whilst the retriever re positions the ball anywhere within the semi circle. Continue this practice for 10 shots and note down the success rate.

Teaching Points

• Shooter to jog to the side line but maximum sprint back to the ball (as fitness improves, shooter to sprint both ways)
• Concentrate on correct shooting technique
• The retriever to position the ball at various distances and positions around the circle

Common Errors:-

• Feeders passes are too loopy
• Shooter does not drive onto the ball
• Shooter rushes the shot