HOME Netball Answers Netball COACHING Q&A

playing 5 aside

we sometimes only have 10 players, are there any ideas to still play a game?

Coach, United Kingdom

2 answers

ANSWERS

Cam HughesCoach, England

Hi there,

If you have only 10 players, you can still have a productive and fun session by playing small-sided games. Here are a few ideas:

Attacking Third Game - Offence vs Defence:

Play 4 on 4 or 5 on 5 in one third of the court, using one goal. Two shooters at any one time can go into the circle. This setup allows for a focused game on attacking and defending within a smaller space.
1 Link to drill.

10 Passes to Score:

One team starts with the ball and tries to make 10 consecutive passes. The other team can send 1 or 2 players to try and win the ball. If the other team wins possession, the roles reverse.
2 Link to drill.

Numbers Game - Quick Passing Attack:

Have two evenly numbered teams lining up on either side of the court. Call out a number, and the first players in the queue run out, touch their baseline, and try to be the first to receive the ball. The team that gets the ball attacks, and the other team defends.
3 Link to drill.

These small-sided games will keep your players engaged and help them develop their skills in a fun and competitive environment.

I hope this helps,

Cam

Coach, United Kingdom

Thank you Cam, we are a walking netball group. This will help !

martine

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

search our library of 700+ netball drills
create your own professional coaching plans
or access our tried and tested plans

Netball

STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_netball

LATEST COACHING TRENDS

Wing Attack Masterclass: Creating Space in the Attacking Third

The Wing Attack is the critical link between midcourt possession and circle feeding. This masterclass breaks down the movement patterns, timing, and spatial awareness that separate elite WAs from the rest, with practical drills to develop these skills at every level.

April 2026

Sportplan Coaching

Footwork Fundamentals: Landing, Pivoting and the Stepping Rule

Footwork is the foundation of every skill in netball. This guide provides a clear explanation of the stepping rule, the mechanics of one-foot and two-foot landings, pivoting technique, and progressive drills to build footwork confidence from junior level upward.

April 2026

Sportplan Coaching