Basic Shooting Drill's
1. High-Volume Technique Drills
These drills focus on building muscle memory, rhythm, and consistent shooting form.
Around the Clock
Setup: Place 5 or 6 cones in a semi-circle at various distances around the goal post.
Action: The shooter starts at the first cone, takes a shot, collects the rebound, and moves to the next cone.
Goal: Complete the circuit cleanly, then repeat moving in the opposite direction.
Step-Back Challenge
Setup: Start right next to the goal post.
Action: Take a shot. If successful, take one large step backward and shoot again.
Goal: See how far back you can go while maintaining perfect technique. If you miss, you must start again from the post.
2. Movement & Cardiovascular Fatigue Drills
Netball shooters rarely shoot with a resting heart rate. These drills replicate match-play fatigue.
Turn and Shoot
Setup: The shooter stands at the top of the goal circle facing away from the post. A feeder stands outside the circle with the ball.
Action: The feeder calls "Turn!" and passes the ball. The shooter must pivot 180 degrees in the air, land cleanly, balance instantly, and shoot.
Goal: Teaches the body to settle quickly and find the post under time pressure.
The Shuttle Run Goal
Setup: Place a cone at the top of the goal circle.
Action: The shooter sprints from the post out to the cone, touches it, turns, and drives hard back toward the post. The feeder passes the ball, and the shooter must immediately balance and shoot.
Goal: Replicates the physical exhaustion of a real match while forcing a steady shot.
3. Match-Realistic & Pressure Drills
These drills introduce defensive distractions and psychological pressure.
The Defender Shadow
Setup: A shooter stands in the circle with a defender. A feeder stands outside.
Action: The shooter holds their space or moves to get free. Once they receive the pass, the defender immediately puts up a legal, maximum three-foot hands-up guard.
Goal: Forces the shooter to sight the ring and shoot cleanly over high defensive arms without changing their natural arc.
Pressure 5
Setup: The shooter takes shots from anywhere within their comfortable range.
Action: The shooter must score 5 goals in a row. If they miss a single shot, the score resets completely to zero.
Goal: Builds mental toughness, focus, and handling high-pressure match situations (like a last-minute penalty shot).
Shooting Technique Cues
The Base (Feet)
Key Coaching Cue: Feet shoulder-width apart, pointing directly at the post, knees softly bent.
The Grip (Hands)
Key Coaching Cue: Rest the ball on the fingertips of your dominant hand, using the other hand on the side just to steady it.
The Release (Follow-Through)
Key Coaching Cue: Push up through your legs, extend your arm fully, and flick your wrist to create backspin (flick the cookie jar).