Purposely using elbows - a growing trend - what to do?

Janet Coach, Australia

Coaches telling 11-13 year olds to elbow & intimidate???  What about teaching them the good netball skills like any decent coach should? Yes the game is a lot more physical these days and players do need to toughen up as they go up the age levels but good skills will always beat intimidatory tactics.  Rather than encouraging your players to move away, teach them how to hold their ground more securely and body up the opposition (no elbowing though) so they are proactive not reactive.  GS can also defend her player to keep them guessing thereby protecting her own space ready for the ball coming in. The elbows can be up in the defensive stance but not taken away from the body to be directed at another player (should be penalised if umpire sees it) so train your girls in this stance which can help fend off any stray elbows and give them some control over what is happening.  Good luck.

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

i agree with janet.  it really frustrates me seeing young girls being coached to be rough instead of teach good skills.  teaching your shooters how to defenc is a very valuable tool, so work on defencive techniques and how to handle a more physical game without being intimidated.  their skill will win in the long run.

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

Thanks for the reponses. I will work with the players to put some of this into practice.

Nicole Coach, New Zealand

Definitely keep your team strong, but keep their ethics and values. Don't stoop to the other teams level and don't go down without a fight. Teach those teams that dirty play doesn't win the games. Another bit of sneaky advice here is to make their elbowing obvious when it hurts them or kepps them from getting the ball. The umpires can tell when it has or has not happened and this should hopefully bring it to their attention.

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

Really like that! Thanks

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

okay thanks

Netball CoachCoach

Hi Sheryl, you could try to get your girls in defense to tuck their forearm alongside/under their rib cage where they are being contacted- like in rugby league when they are carrying the ball in attack. It may sound weird but it does work. It protects your players without them being aggressive. The offending players elbows will hit your girls forearms/hips/upper arm, protecting their bodies.Same applies in attack until ready to receive ball. I would also raise the issue with the association your attached with, and if it`s really bad on the day, get the head committee member on the day to come over and watch it. We had a game stopped by the head association representatives on the day, a firm correction was given by her to the girls and then the game settled right down. Sad when it comes to having to teach defending against an elbow technique. And the coaches teaching kids to intimidate with elbows clearly have poor coaching abilities. Netball still is the greatest game of all :)

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

Thanks I will `arm` my players up with that for Saturday as they are coming up against the particular team that are known for it and get my Team Mgr on standby to go the Assn office if needed.

MMMMCoach, Australia

I would add to coach your girls to keep their upper body straight when playing against rougher players and that way the contact by their opponent is more easily observed by the umpire. A lot of girls tend to bend away from the rough player and on top of making it harder for the contact to be seen, it also affects your player`s movement.

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

Great point - thanks

cherelynCoach, Australia

We have played against an under 16`s team where whichever shooter is not taking the shot will wait until the umpire`s eyes are up to follow the ball and will shove the defender from behind so they fall into the shooter. The umpire can`t see the shove as they are watching the ring but they see the defender falling in and penalise. All the shooters from the same club have been coached to do it. As an under 11`s coach I would rather see my girls lose than coach that sort of behaviour into them.

Sheryl PascoeCoach, Australia

Gosh, that is a terrible thing those coaches are teaching young players. Generally, I am also now getting my young captains - even though my team are only 12 yrs old - to talk to the umpire in that 1st quarter to try and address what is happening. If a club is known for it also having a talk with the Assn that holds the competition to see it can be raised with the other club. Good luck

Poppi harperPlayer, Australia

As a player who has experienced this happen quite a few times, I have been taught to keep on my feet and try to keep my body upright as this is easier for the umpires to notice. As another comment says, if the elbowing starts to really hurt then have your arms held in a way to protect your ribs as when they are elbowing they will usually elbow there.

Poppi harperPlayer, Australia

As a player who has experienced this happen quite a few times, I have been taught to keep on my feet and try to keep my body upright as this is easier for the umpires to notice. As another comment says, if the elbowing starts to really hurt then have your arms held in a way to protect your ribs as when they are elbowing they will usually elbow there.

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