9/10YR SEASON GUIDE
What skills should this age group be learning over the season?
Below is a skill list this age group will need to perform well, at speed, under fatigue and under pressure. More challenging skills you can work towards are stretch skills – only to be practiced once when they can perform the core skills well.
Core foundation Footwork
- Body angle – hips
- How to catch – stationary without stepping
- How to catch running to the ball, under pressure, under fatigue, at speed, at different heights using the 1/2 movement to catch without stepping
- Pivots – well, under pressure, under fatigue, at speed
- Change of direction – strong push off focus on
Core foundation Passing
Chest pass – technique, ball speed, quick decision making
Shoulder pass – technique, ball speed, quick decision making
Overhead pass – technique, ball speed, quick decision making
- Pass on extension – STARTER LEVEL, technique, ball speed, quick decision making
Core foundation space on court and attack
- Creating space – run in and clear out
Creating space – channels
- Positioning as the ball comes down court – who should stand where
- STRETCH SKILL – Coming forward – light prelims
- STRETCH SKILL – Linking up down court using timing.
Core foundation Defence
Tracking
- Ball pressure
- STRETCH SKILL – Intercepts
Core foundation shooting
- Technique – above head
- Rebounds
- Circle leads – in and out simple movements
Core foundation circle defence
- Tracking – staying with the shooter
- Rebounds
Communication with 9/10 years
Training
Starting the session
- Talk about the previous game and what you are proud they did.
- Ask – does anyone think we could do anything a little better?
- OR Relate what you are going to teach that day to something on the previous game or game situations so they can link the skills to the game.
Teaching a skill
- Keep coach points, short and sweet and not complicated.
- Make a connection between the skill and the game.
For example – Coming forward and clearing is the skill you are teaching.
Ask;
- What happens if we all run forward for the ball? Answer is bunching
- Can the passer see a free person to pass to?? Answer is no
- What would happen if you run in to get a pass, count to one and don’t get the ball, then run back out to a free space? Do you think that would make it easy for the passer to see someone who is free to throw to? Answer yes.
These questions create links between skills learnt and match play.
Language for 9/10 years
- Don’t use cutesy names – call skills what they are. When you link made up names for skills this makes it difficult for players and coaches in the further years.
- Be encouraging but firm so there is no mucking around
- Celebrate the small wins
- Show them you are proud and they are doing a great job
FINAL TIPS
The truth………
The parents want their kids to develop and learn.
The kids turn up to have fun.
There has to be a mix between the two.
- Create activities that will develop the players but keep them interested and having a fun while learning.
- This age group love rewards – this could be for answering questions, performing well or a team goal.
General behaviour rule
- Talk when you are talking – 50 star jumps or laps around the court
- When you blow the whistle – every freezes
- No cartwheels
- Handstands ec
Article written by Kat Dahl
Elevate CEO
Community netball expert
