Technical Testing

TECHNICAL TESTING (Daniel/Stuart)

Reaction Time and Decision Making

Measures:  Reaction time is a key skill in netball because a player is allowed to hold the ball for only three seconds (Thomas, 2000), and it is estimated that during a game a player will make 70 decisions (Woodlands, 2006).  To make a pass within this time the player must be able to select the relevant information from their surroundings quickly and select a player to pass to, based on this information.  For the pass to be successful the player must throw the ball in the right direction at the correct speed and the correct distance, players who can do this set themselves apart from the rest of the players (Woodlands, 2006)  Footwork is also considered in this exercise with the player having to pivot to find their partner.

Equipment: 8 cones, a netball and two extra people to assist.

Instructions: Using a centre cone as a guide, mark a circle using 6 cones with each being 1.5m away from the centre (circle radius 1.5m).  The player who is being assessed should stand at the point marked by a cone 3m away from the centre cone, facing away from the circle.  One person runs between cones in the circle randomly, and the other passes the ball to the assessed player.  As soon as the player receives the ball they should pivot to face the circle and pass the ball to the player.  Repeat 5 times.

Score	Description
26-30	Excellent
21-25	Very Good
16-20	Good
11-15	Average
6-10	Below Average
0-5	Poor

My score was _Daniel 26/Stuart 22__.

I rated _Daniel Excellent/Stuart Very Good_.

Date completed: _18^th March 2013__

Goal Shooting

Measures:  The aim of a netball game is to be the team with the most goals, therefore goal shooting is a key skill.  This drill is designed to highlight and test the most important aspects of goal shooting: positioning on the court, technique, and accurate shooting in a limited time.  Only two players are allowed in their attacking goal circle (Goal Attack and Goal Shooter) so it’s key that the players are well positioned within the circle to receive the ball in order to shoot, and they are comfortable doing so (Woodlands, 2006).  As the player is only allowed to hold the ball for three seconds (Thomas, 2000) they don’t have time to set up the shot and consider the motions before shooting: they must react quickly to the environment, create opportunities for goals, and shoot accurately each time without having to think about it.

Equipment:  Three players, one netball, a goal circle (or an equivalent e.g. cones), a netball post.

Instructions:  In the goal circle there should be two players: one attacking and one defensive.  The attacking player should find space in the goal circle, and when they’re ready the ball should be fed to them. They should attempt to shoot but the defensive player should apply pressure and attempt to intercept the pass.  Remember that the goal is only valid if the shooter is inside the goal circle.  Repeat this ten times.  The coach should use the wagon wheel below to assess their performance, find a total score and grade the players performance.

Score	Description
26-30	Excellent
21-25	Very Good
16-20	Good
11-15	Average
6-10	Below Average
0-5	Poor

My score was _Daniel 19/Stuart 15_.

I rated _Daniel Good/Stuart Average_.

Date completed: _18^th March 2013_

Movement

Measures: Netball is a fast-paced game and the players should never stop moving or attempting to find space, however this makes many of the basics more difficult.  This drill measures the player ability to stop instantly when they receive the ball, which is key because if they don’t they will be breaking the footwork rule and a free pass is awarded to the opposing team (Thomas, 2000).  It also tests the players ability to throw the ball in a different direction quickly and legally, whilst maintaining balance and power (Woodlands, 2006).  Ultimately, the player must be able to catch the ball when they’re moving (also dependent on the direction and accuracy of which it is thrown) because if they don’t they are providing the opposing team with an opportunity, therefore this drill tests their ability to track the ball and catch is successfully.

Equipment: Two players, a tape measure, a netball and 9 cones.

Instructions: 3 metres apart, set up two lines of cones (one with four cones and one with five cones) spaced 3 metres apart.  The starting position of player one should be 3 metres in front of player two (but both should start at the first cone of their line – see diagram below).  Player one should pass the ball to player two and then run to the next cone where they will receive the ball.  When player two has received the ball they should pass back to player one and run onto the next cone.  This should continue down the line.  Repeat five times.  Using the wagon wheel diagram assess the players performance and find a total score to grade the players performance.

Score	Description
26-30	Excellent
21-25	Very Good
16-20	Good
11-15	Average
6-10	Below Average
0-5	Poor

My score was _Daniel 25/Stuart 23__.

I rated _Daniel Very Good/Stuart Good_.

Date completed: _15^th April 2013_

Defense and Interception

Measures: Defense is key to the game of netball because ‘every player is a defender when her team does not have possession’ (Woodlands, 2006).To prevent the other team from scoring your team needs to work together to intercept and slow down their play, giving your own team more time to make decisions.  You could do this by constantly moving into open space and marking players ball side in order to limit the number of passing options.  It’s important to track the player and react quickly to their decisions to prevent them getting free. By doing all of these things you are likely to gain possession and put the other team under pressure making them more likely to make mistakes, which becomes an opportunity for your team.

Equipment: Four players, four cones, tape measure and a netball.

Instructions:  Using the cones mark a square 5 metres x 5 metres, where the attacking player will stand marked by the defensive player.  The other two players may stand anywhere outside of this square, passing the ball between each other (they are able to move) until they’re ready to pass the ball to the attacking player.  The attacking player should be trying to find space and dodge the marker, whilst the defensive player attempts to intercept the pass.  Repeat ten times.  Below are two wagon wheel diagrams (one for defense and one for attack), which the coach should use to find a total score to grade each players performance.

Score	Description
26-30	Excellent
21-25	Very Good
16-20	Good
11-15	Average
6-10	Below Average
0-5	Poor

Attack

My score was _Daniel 23/Stuart 23_.

I rated _Daniel Very Good/Stuart Very Good_.

Defence

My score was _Daniel 19/Stuart 19__.

I rated _Daniel Good/Stuart Good_.

Date completed: _15^th April 2013_

Catching

Measures: A teams success is dependent on its players ability to catch the ball in any situation.  ‘Players who have sloppy catching techniques may find themselves attracting too much whistle from the umpires and costing the team possession’ (Woodlands, 2006). 

Equipment: Two people, 2 cones, a tape measure and a netball.

Instructions:  Using two cones mark a distance three metres apart, with one person standing at each cone.  In this drill, player one is acting as a feeder and player two is being assessed on their catching.  Player one should pass the ball to player two five times at chest height, five times at arms reach to the left and five times at arms reach to the right (the aim of the passes to the side is for player two to catch them with one hand).  Record the success rate of each pass on the wagon wheel below, and find a total score to grade the players performance.

Score	Description
26-30	Excellent
21-25	Very Good
16-20	Good
11-15	Average
6-10	Below Average
0-5	Poor

My score was _Daniel 21/Stuart 26_.

I rated _Daniel Very Good/Stuart Excellent_.

Date completed: _15^th April 2013_