Netball · Attacking drives · Fitness & agility

Change of pace and dodges

An attacker jogs, dodges to wrong-foot a defender, then sprints away to lead for the pass.

F1WAwd
Start / 5
Time
12 min
Players
3–12
Age
U10+
Area
Centre third, 5 m channels
Equipment
3 netballs6 cones3 bibs

Setup

  1. Channels 5 m wide from the centre third into the goal third; a feeder (F1) at the far end.
  2. WA starts at the near end with a WD (wd) alongside.

How it runs

  1. WA jogs at half pace; wd matches them.
  2. WA dodges one way with a quick sidestep, then sprints off the other way.
  3. F1 passes ahead of the sprint; WA catches, lands and passes back.
  4. Jog back, rest while the next pair goes; four goes each, then swap.

Coaching points

  • Make the slow part slow so the sprint looks fast.
  • Dodge with a short, sharp step and drop the shoulder to sell it.
  • Push off the outside foot and sprint the first three strides flat out.
  • Arms ready to catch as you sprint; land on one foot and balance.

Common mistakes

  • Running the whole channel at one speed.
  • A big, slow dodge the defender reads.
  • Sprinting away, then drifting to a stop before the catch.

Say it: “Slow, sharp dodge, gone.”

Make it harder

  • wd defends at full pace.
  • F1 only passes if WA is a full step clear.

Make it easier

  • No defender: dodge round a cone.
  • Shorter channel with more rest.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.