Shooting

1Why this matters

Every pass in netball has one purpose: to put the ball into the hands of a shooter inside the circle. Only two players, the goal shooter and the goal attack, may score, and they must shoot at a ring with no backboard to help them. A team's shooting percentage often decides the result, and good shooting comes from a repeatable technique and good decisions about when to shoot.

2The shooting technique

1. Face the post, feet about shoulder-width apart, weight balanced.
2. Ball above the head, resting on the fingertips of the shooting hand, the other hand steadying it at the side.
3. Eyes on the ring. Aim to drop the ball just over the front of the ring, into its centre.
4. Bend the knees, keeping the back straight and the ball still.
5. Straighten the knees and the shooting arm together, flicking the wrist so the ball spins backwards.
6. Follow through: fingers pointing at the ring as the ball drops in.

A high, arcing flight gives the ball the best chance of dropping through a ring with no backboard. A flat shot hits the front of the ring and bounces out.

3Shooting rules

• The shooter must be inside the shooting circle when she catches and shoots the ball; the circle line counts as part of the circle.
• The normal footwork and three-second rules still apply.
• A defender must stay at least 0.9 m from the shooter's landing foot, and may jump with arms up to put the shooter off.
• If a shot misses the ring completely, the shooter may not be the first to catch it again. If it hits the ring, anyone may take the rebound.

4Shooting tactics

• Get close. Shots from near the post score far more often than shots from the edge of the circle. Shooters work hard to receive the ball close in.
• Hold your space. A shooter can use her body position, without contact, to keep a defender behind her and create space to receive near the post.
• Two shooters, two options. GS and GA move to create space for each other: when one drives to the post, the other moves out, so the feeder has two targets.
• Rebound. After every shot, both shooters move towards the post to fight for the rebound.

Worked example

Mutesi (GA) receives the ball at the edge of the circle, 4.5 m from the post. Keza (GS) is free, 1 m from the post, and her defender is behind her.

Decision. Pass to Keza. A 1 m shot is far more likely to score than a 4.5 m shot, and a short pass into the circle is safe when the defender is behind the receiver.

5Shooting practice with little equipment

• No post? Tie a hoop or a ring of bent wire to a pole or a tree at 3.05 m, or at a lower height for beginners. A basketball ring works too, although the backboard makes it easier.
• Close to far. Take five shots from 1 m, then 2 m, then 3 m. Move back only when you score three of five.
• Pressure shots. A partner defends from 0.9 m with arms up. Take 10 shots and count your score.

Practice

Solution. There is no backboard, so the ball must drop down through the ring; a flat shot tends to hit the front of the ring and bounce out.

Solution. No. A goal can only be scored from inside the shooting circle.

Solution. A fault (a replayed ball): the other team gets a free pass.

Solution. Face the post, bend the knees, straighten and flick, follow through.