Players work in pairs (one defender, one attacker).
The court is divided into 3 channels along the length of the court. The ball is placed in the center court channel.
Players must jog, sprint and dodge their way through each outside channel - with the defender trying to stay between the attacker and the static ball in the center of the court.
Defender shadows the attacker, keeping her on the outside of the channel.
Start slowly and build up pace gradually. On the coach's whistle players must stop where they are and the defender should take up a static position - half covering their player, ensuring they have a good body angle which enables them to see both the ball in the center and the attacker using their peripheral vision.
A thrower can be added who can pass to an attacker if they manage to find space between the defender and the ball.
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
Split circle defence is the system the top three NSL teams have built their identity around in 2026. The Goal Keeper and Goal Defence divide the circle into zones, switch in synchrony, and make every passing option look risky. Here is how to coach it.
Most netball shooters know how to shoot. The difference at the top is who can shoot when it counts. A structured 10-minute pre-game mental routine is the most under-used performance tool in club netball - and it is the simplest to teach.
The best Goal Defences in the 2026 NSL season are intercepting more than ever. The reason is not raw athleticism. It is a deliberate shift from chasing the attacker to driving into the flight path of the ball. Here is how to coach it.