Netball: Getting Started

Lesson Title:

Introduction to Netball: Rules and Positions
Duration: 53 minutes
Year Levels: Years 3–6
Class Size: 15 Students

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Curriculum Links

Health and Physical Education – Australian Curriculum (Version 9.0)

Strand: Movement and Physical Activity
Sub-strands:

• Understanding Movement:
  • ACPMP043 (Yr 3-4): Describe and apply strategies that support achievement in movement activities.
  • ACPMP061 (Yr 5-6): Investigate and apply movement concepts and strategies.
• Learning Through Movement:
  • ACPMP045 (Yr 3-4): Adopt inclusive practices when participating in physical activities.
  • ACPMP063 (Yr 5-6): Demonstrate ethical behaviour and fair play in movement settings.

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Learning Intentions

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the seven key playing positions in netball and explain their roles.
• Understand and explain at least three fundamental rules of netball.
• Demonstrate basic court spatial awareness and correct starting position.
• Work collaboratively in teams with respect and fair play.

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Success Criteria:

• I can name and match the 7 netball positions to the correct court zones.
• I can describe at least 3 important rules in netball using age-appropriate language.
• I can show fair play and teamwork during small-group netball movement activities.

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Resources Needed:

• Cones to mark court zones
• Bibs labelled (GK, GD, WD, C, WA, GA, GS) – at least two full sets
• Large netball court diagram printed or projected
• Student netballs (x5)
• Whiteboard and marker
• Position Role Cards (durable, laminated optional)
• Stopwatch or whistle

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Lesson Breakdown

0:00 – 5:00 | Welcome & Warm-Up Game: “Mirror Me”

Purpose: Establish focus; energise and prepare muscles

• Students pair up and mirror each other’s movements for 60 seconds each.
• Include dynamic stretches: high knees, hip rotations, arm swings.
• Encourage expressive movement to reflect the agility needed in netball.

Prompt:
Ask students, “What movement was hardest to mirror? Why?”

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5:00 – 15:00 | Introduction to Netball

Whole-class discussion guided by visuals (court diagram on whiteboard/projector).

Key talking points:

• Netball is a non-contact, team-based game, and one of the top sports for Aussie kids.
• Games consist of 2 teams of 7 players.
• Played on a court divided into thirds with a goal circle at each end.

Visual Aids:

• Interactive question: “Who has seen or played netball before?”
• Court diagram walk-through: identify “Goal Third,” “Centre Third,” and “Goal Circle.”

Mini Activity (3 mins): Students move to the area of the court that matches the third you call out. Stimulates spatial understanding of zones.

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15:00 – 30:00 | Exploring the 7 Netball Positions

Interactive 'Human Position Sorter' Activity

1. Teacher introduces each position:

   • GS – Goal Shooter
   • GA – Goal Attack
   • WA – Wing Attack
   • C – Centre
   • WD – Wing Defence
   • GD – Goal Defence
   • GK – Goal Keeper

2. Use Position Role Cards with symbols and zones. Students help match card to court area.

3. Have students step into positions using cones to mark court thirds.

   • Rotate students into various positions to experience their roles physically.
   • Ask, “Which positions are allowed to shoot?” “Who can go into all thirds?”

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30:00 – 40:00 | Know the Rules Relay

Focus: Rule recognition, movement, teamwork

Split class into 3 teams of 5.
Stations set up with rule challenge cards and diagrams.
Examples:

• “No stepping!” – student acts out how to land with feet
• “Obstruction” – demonstrate defending from 3ft away
• “Offside” – which players aren’t allowed in which thirds

Each team completes all rule challenges in a circuit.
Teams move clockwise between stations every 3 minutes.

Teacher Observes: Use questioning to assess understanding at each station.

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40:00 – 48:00 | Mini Movement Game: “Position Shuffle”

In same teams, distribute bibs randomly.
Set up half-court for 3 v 3 modified movement play:

• Rules introduced gradually:
  1st round: no running with ball
  2nd round: only pass to someone in allowed area
  3rd round: 3-second holding rule added

Teams rotate bibs and sides.
Class focus is on correct positioning rather than scoring.

Emphasis: Spatial awareness, respecting boundaries, and identifying correct roles.

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48:00 – 53:00 | Cool Down & Reflection

Cool Down Routine:

• Jog laps around court edge slowly, finishing with deep stretches.

Circle Reflection Time (3 min):

• What netball position do you remember and like the most? Why?
• Which rule was easy/difficult to understand?
• How did your team work together?

Optional Exit Ticket: Students write or verbalise one rule and one position to remember for next time.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For EAL or lower ability learners: Use pictorial position cards and pair them with stronger communicators. Role-play instead of written explanation.
• For higher ability learners: Give bonus challenge – explain how a strategy or rule might improve fairness in other games.
• Physical needs: Make use of flexible roles (e.g. umpire assistant, court zone marker) based on capability.

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Assessment (Formative)

• Observation of participation in role-matching and rule relay
• Accuracy of verbal answers during questioning
• Position and zone awareness in mini movement games

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Extension Opportunities

• Invite a local netball player or club coach in Lesson 3 for a deeper understanding.
• Assign students to design their own position cards as homework—encouraging creativity and personal engagement with the sport.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts (Post-Lesson)

• Did students demonstrate interest and curiosity about netball?
• Were all students engaged across the ability range?
• Did the “Position Shuffle” game reinforce understanding of zones and movement?

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Notes for Next Lesson (Lesson 2: Passing & Catching)

Students will build on rules knowledge to develop accurate passing and catching skills in moving stations and mini-games.

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This PE lesson was designed to embed Australian values of teamwork, fair play and inclusion while building foundational knowledge of one of the nation’s most beloved sports – netball.