Junior Netball Brochure

Junior Netball Year 1 & 2 - Year 3 & 4

Igniting a lifelong

love of the game

Junior Netball Philosophy & Thinking...

Junior Netball (Year 1 - 8) in New Zealand represents more than fifty percent of our registered Netball players and is run by a dedicated army of volunteers, ensuring a positive experience for children in one of our favourite games.

In 2012, Netball New Zealand undertook a review of Junior Netball to assess the delivery and development pathways of the junior game throughout the country.

It highlighted that while netball is still very popular, differences in delivery varied, creating the need for clearer guidelines and improved support for coaching and umpiring. Fun and playing with friends are key drivers for children’s participation. Learning the game of netball is enhanced through small sided games with modified rules which are run alongside skills sessions, ensuring children are more engaged.

The Review reminded us that children are not mini adults and that their sport should be modified accordingly.

Throughout 2013, fourteen Netball Centres piloted changes to the Year 1 – 4 Junior Netball programme with great success. As a result, the programme will be phased in across the country through to 2017. Phase 1 focusses on Year 1 & 2 and Year 3 & 4.

The aim is to have all Netball Centres utilising the programme by 2017 and phasing in new programmes as per the timeline for roll out, replacing existing programmes and competitions.

Parents are the driving force behind Junior Netball and their roles as Junior Co-ordinators, Coaches and Star Helpers are fundamental to the success of the programme.

2012

Junior Netball Review

2013

2014

2015

2016

Year 1 & 2, Year 3 & 4 Junior Netball Pilot

Phase 1 – Roll out of Year 1 & 2 programme begins.

Phase 2 - Review of the Year 5 - 8 programme

Phase 1 continues roll out of Year 1 & 2 and Year 3 & 4 programmes

Phase 2 – roll out of Year 5 - 8 programmes

More Fun. More Opportunities. More Space.

The game grows with the players. More Passes. More Goals.

Thoughts for Adults • Young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.

• All players need equal opportunities to play and develop their skills. Avoid overplaying the talented players.

• Children learn best with positive reinforcement and specific, constructive feedback.

Focus on the performance of skills rather than the result of the game.

• Children learn by taking risks and making mistakes. Encourage and support this as it is a necessary and important part of learning.

• Model appropriate behaviour - insist on fairplay, encourage sportsmanship, show appreciation and respect for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators.

• Allow children time to develop an understanding of the game.

Year 1 & 2 - 4 v 4 The focus of at this age group is on exploring Netball and the development of fundamental movement and ball skills. The session will include skill development lead by a Junior Co-ordinator and Star Helpers followed by a game of 4 v 4.

• 20 minute skill session on game day • Four per side, two ten-minute halves • Played across one third of the netball court • 2.1m goal height

• Pass or shoot within 5 seconds • Rolling Substitutions • Junior Co-ordinators / Star Helpers are allowed on the court and will guide both teams - focussing on development and letting the game flow

Maximum Width 10.2metres Maximum Length 15.25metres

X O X

X O

O

X O

Rules Equipment The Court: Played over one third of a netball court. Goal posts should be 2.1m from the ground. If goal posts are not available a hula hoop held by a parent will provide more success.

Ball - A Play ball, size 4 Bibs - Coloured bibs may be used or existing bibs inside out.

Start of Play Players use paper, scissors, rock to determine which team will start each half of play. Play starts with a throw-in behind the opposition’s goal line (sideline of full court).

After scoring, play continues with a throw-in from the goal line.

Game Day Format Twenty minutes of skill development followed by a game of two 10-minute halves.

Games of two 10-minute halves with two minutes at halftime, followed by a 20 minute skill session.

Officials Junior Co-ordinators assist and support the players on court to facilitate learning. Direction is given during a game, without using the whistle.

The Team Four per team on court at any one time. Both boys and girls can play without restriction.

Substitutions Teams are allowed to use rolling substitutions.

Playing Areas and Offside All players can move anywhere in the playing area.

Playing the Ball Players are encouraged to pass or shoot within five seconds.

Footwork Players are encouraged to be stationary once they have received the ball. They are allowed to take additional steps to gain balance but walking with the ball should be discouraged.

Scoring a Goal A goal may be scored by any player at their attacking end.

Obstruction Players are not allowed to defend or mark the ball thrower, allowing space to pass and vision of passing options. Players can defend players awaiting passes and intercepting the ball is encouraged.

Contact A player may not push, trip, knock, bump or hold an opponent, whether the move is deliberate or accidental.

If contact does occur, the contact will be called and after a brief explanation (if required), play will continue.

Year 3 & 4 - 5 v 5 The focus for this age group is on learning the basics with players joining in a skill development session prior to a modified netball game of 5 v 5, using two-thirds of a netball court. It’s designed to be fast and fun, maximising participation and touches of the ball.

• 15 minute skill session and 4 x 8 minute quarters on game day • Five per side – two attackers, two defenders and one centre

• 2.6m goal height • Pass or shoot within five seconds • Coaches are allowed on the court and will guide both teams

• Played across two-thirds of the netball court

• Focus is on development and letting the game flow • Rolling substitutions

Maximum Length 20.3metres D

Maximum Width 15.25metres

A

Shooting Circle Radius 4.9metres

C D A

Rules Equipment The Court: Two-thirds of a netball court. Two marked goal circles, using one goal circle in the goal third and marking the same on the second transverse line with flat dots or chalk lines. Portable goal posts need to be used, 2.6 metres from the ground.

Playing the Ball Players are encouraged to pass or shoot within five seconds.

Start of Play

Playing Areas and Offside Two attacking positions (A, A), two defending positions (D, D) and one centre (C). C can move everywhere except goal circles, A & D can move in half the area including the goal circle. Players are offside if entering an undesignated area e.g Centre in the goal circle.

The C from each team will use paper, scissors, rock to determine who will start with the ball at the start of every quarter. Play starts from half way (transverse line) in the middle of the court. After a goal is scored play restarts from half way by the opposing team.

Footwork Players are encouraged to be stationary once they have received the ball whether landing on one or two feet.

Additional steps are allowed to gain balance but walking should be discouraged.

Duration of the Game

Scoring a Goal

Games are four 8-minute quarters with two minutes at each interval. Teams change ends at half time.

A goal may only be scored by the A or the A.

Bibs: GS, GA, C, GD, GK or A, A, C, D, D bibs can be used

Officials Junior coaches will assist and support. Direction should be given during a game without using the whistle.

The Team Five players per team on court at any one time. Both boys and girls can play without restriction.

Substitutions Rolling substitutions are allowed.

Obstruction To allow the ball thrower passing options, players must be at least one metre away. If a player infringes, an explanation will be provided before allowing play to continue.

Contact A player may not push, trip, knock, bump or hold an opponent, either deliberately or accidentally. If contact occurs, it will be called and after a brief explanation (if required) play will continue.