Netball Shooting Drills with Berri Neil

We consulted with international and Superleague netballer Berri Neil to provide three shooting drills that can help improve shooting accuracy and technique.

These netball shooting drills are simple to practice at home! They are designed for individual practice, so even if you don’t have a feeder, you can still have a productive training session.

To enhance shooting accuracy and technique, it is recommended for shooters to attempt 200 shots per day, five days a week. So grab a ball, some cones, and let’s get shooting!

These drills are suitable for both beginners and experienced players.

Netball shooting drill one:

This initial netball shooting drill focuses on accuracy. The goal is to score from each cone.

Get started:

Place 10 cones randomly in the circle. (If you don’t have cones, you can use water bottles, jumpers, etc.)

Choose a starting cone and a word for yourself, for example, P.O.S.T.

Begin shooting, and if you miss, remove one letter from your selected word and continue shooting at the same cone until you score a goal.

For instance, if you miss two shots at a cone, you would have P.O with two chances remaining.

Remember, the shorter the word, the more challenging the game, so challenge yourself and increase the difficulty each time you play! Keep going until you score from all cones. If you miss and complete your chosen word, start over!

When to do this netball shooting drill:

I perform this drill before every session or match as it helps me stay focused and accountable while enjoying shooting practice.

Netball shooting drill two:

This second netball shooting drill emphasizes getting closer to the post through split landings.

Get started:

Practice throwing the ball up in the air and performing a split landing. If you have a wall, you can use it to feed the ball back to you.

The objective is to start far from the post and catch the ball as close to the post as possible to quickly turn and shoot without pressure.

Experiment with different types of split landings and vary your approach.

What is a split landing in netball?

A split landing involves landing on both feet with them far apart. It is commonly used by shooters in the attacking circle to get closer to the post. Players can pivot on the foot nearest to the post (the landing foot) and move the other foot next to it to take the shot.

To execute split landings in netball successfully, players must develop mobility and stability in their hips, knees, and ankles. Additionally, understanding the positions of defenders is crucial as it determines the type of split landing to utilize.

Want to enhance your mobility and stability on the netball court?

Explore our ankle, shoulder, core, and hip stability exercises. These drills are ideal for mastering split landings and turning towards the post.

Types of split landing in netball

You can perform a back split where your body and shoulders remain straight, and your back leg splits backward.

Alternatively, a side split is used if a defender is approaching from one side. In this case, you would split with your body open to the opposite side, positioning your back away from the defender.

After mastering split landings, challenge yourself by attempting consecutive landings. Start from a distance and aim to get as close to the post as possible.

Remember, the goal of split landings for attackers is to approach the post, so start from a distance and push your limits.

When to perform this netball shooting drill:

I practice this drill before every match to enhance my ability to move closer to the post while maintaining accuracy in shooting.

Netball shooting drill three:

This final netball shooting drill focuses on shooting under pressure while maintaining proper technique.

Get started:

Place 10 cones/objects randomly in the circle.

Set a 30-second timer and attempt to score from each cone/object. If you miss, continue shooting at the same cone until you score (even though the clock is ticking!)

Once the time is up, count how many cones/objects you successfully scored from and tally your goals!

Whether you find it easy or challenging, keep in mind that these drills can be adjusted to suit your skill level. For instance, you can add more cones or reduce the time to increase difficulty.

This drill is demanding, so challenge yourself and see what you can accomplish!

We hope you enjoy practicing these netball shooting drills!

Berri xx