Centre pass
Netball drill · Age 9 and up
Every goal in netball is followed by a centre pass, so a team that wins its own centre pass keeps the scoreboard ticking over. In junior netball it is also where most free passes are given away: players over the line before the whistle, a centre outside the circle, a first pass caught in the wrong third. This drill sets the centre pass up exactly as the rules say, then runs the first two passes against two defenders.
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- Time
- 15 minutes
- Players
- Groups of 5: C, WA, GA, and a WD and GD defending
- Equipment
- 1 ball
- Position bibs (C, WA, GA, WD, GD)
- A netball court with the centre circle and transverse lines marked
- A whistle
Setup
- The centre (C) stands with at least one foot in the centre circle, holding the ball.
- The wing attack (WA) and goal attack (GA) wait in the attacking third, behind the transverse line, each with their defender (WD on WA, GD on GA).
- On the whistle, the WA drives out into the centre third and the C passes to them there. The GA front-cuts with the GD, then turns back towards the circle.
- The WA passes to the GA at the top of the circle. Reset, swap the defenders in, and run it again.
Coaching points
- Nobody moves until the whistle, and nobody has a foot in the centre third before it.
- C: stand still, ball up, eyes up. Pass to the first player who is clear, into the space in front of them.
- WA: drive hard and land in the centre third. A catch with the first foot in the attacking third is a free pass to the other team.
- GA: do not drive at the same moment as the WA. Wait, then lead for the second ball as the WA lands.
On the run sheet: Everyone behind the transverse line until the whistle, C with a foot in the circle, WA drives hard into the centre third, catch it there, GA times the lead for the second ball
Progressions
- Let the defenders choose who to deny, so the C has to read which attacker is free.
- Add the opposing centre, free anywhere in the centre third.
- Add the goal shooter and goal keeper, and play it through to a shot.
How it runs
At the whistle the wing attack drives out of the attacking third, the wing defence goes with them, and the centre passes to the wing attack in the centre third. The goal attack and goal defence front-cut and turn back towards the circle. The wing attack lands, turns, and passes to the goal attack at the top of the circle, with the goal defence a step behind. The animation shows every player where the rules put them at the whistle, then those two passes.
Run it walking first, until every player knows where to stand. Then let the defenders play it at half pace, then for real. It is a non-contact drill.
The rule it is practising
The centre pass rule. At the whistle the centre must have at least one foot in the centre circle and everyone else must be in their own goal third, behind the transverse line. Only the two centres start in the centre third. The first pass must be caught, or touched, by a player standing in the centre third or landing in it. A player who crosses the line early, or catches the first pass in the attacking third, gives away a free pass.
It also practises offside by position: the wing attack may go into the centre and attacking thirds but not the circle, and the goal attack may go into the circle. Junior formats such as Bee Netball and NetSetGO usually keep the centre pass, and some adapt it for beginners. Check your league's version.
The mistakes to watch for
Drifting over the transverse line before the whistle. The wing attack and goal attack driving for the same space at the same time. A centre who holds the ball for so long that the drive has died. And a wing attack who catches the first pass with one foot still in the attacking third.
More netball drills
Put Centre pass in Tuesday's session
It lands on your practice plan already timed, with the coaching cue printed under it, next to your own plays.
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