Netball Drill For Beginners: Ball Handling

Ball Handling is your ability to control the ball when you are in the middle of a game this includes throwing and catching the ball as well as keeping your balance and focus. This Netball Drill is aimed towards Beginners but it can be useful for players of any skill level to brush up their abilities.

Get your team together or a small group of people and split up into equal lines standing behind each other and making sure to face one another. Now that you are all lined up give the person at the front of the line a ball and make sure that each person is spaced about 2 meters apart (about 6.5 feet if you are American).

Tip
* You are able to increase the distance if you get more skilled that way you can improve your throwing ability, You could also switch who you throw the ball too such as throwing to the person diagonal to you in order to feel more accustomed to what it's like in a real game.

The person who has the the ball will throw it to the person opposite of them, they will then immediately run towards the person that they threw the ball too and run to the end of their line. The next person will now have to throw the ball back to the new person and move to the end of the line. Continue to do this speeding up with each completed line in order to improve your handling. Increasing distance between you can also be helpful.

Bonus For Solo Players
If you are by yourself but still want to train you can find a solid wall one that is made of brick or is very tough (one that is outside hopefully) and stand about 2 meters away from it. Then throw the ball to the wall and attempt to catch it, each time you catch it take one step forward (this way you have less time to catch the ball) and for every time you drop it restart back at the starting distance.

General Ball Handling Tips

How To Throw a Netball

Hold the ball close to your chest like you would a basketball and then push the ball with a little force towards the direction you wish to throw it.

How To Catch a Netball

When you are wanting to catch the ball catch it with your fingers spread wide open this way you can get a better grip of the ball then bring it towards your chest (very similar to American Football).

How To Catch a Netball in Midair

This is fairly similar to catching it in general except keep your fingers spread when you are running to catch it and make sure to catch it at an angle get both of your hands around it and close it on the ball to bring it towards your chest. Don't try to catch it single handedly you want to keep the ball secure.