1. Structures & Strategies S3 Netball
Key Concept 1
Structures & Strategies fundamental to Netball

2. What is a Structure
The structure of an activity concerns the roles and responsibilities, formations and tactics that relate to selected strategies.

3. What is a Strategy
A strategy can be thought of as a tactic of play. It is pre-planned and reviewed. For example; a strategy in Netball could be the movements you perform during a sideline pass. These are planned and practiced before the game has started.
In order to decide on the correct structure and strategy to use in a game, the team must take into account a number of factors. These factors are outlined in the mind map below…...

4. What is a Strategy?
A strategy is basically a plan prepared in advance for a specific situation. The strategy should be designed in order to beat the opposition.
Strategies can be applied in a variety of situations, mainly:
When your team has possession e.g. fast break.
During a particular phase of the game e.g. retaining possession if ahead with little time remaining.
The strategies mainly depend on the following factors:
The strengths and weaknesses of your team.
The strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.
The style of the opponents play

5. Defensive Play in Netball
The main aim of defending play is:
To regain possession and to prevent scoring
The basic principles of defending play are to:
Close down space
Reduce the available options
Force errors
Make decisions difficult
Move positively to intercept the ball

6. Attacking Play in Netball
The main aim of attacking play is:
To maintain possession and keep control of the passage of the ball down the court until it can be safely passes into the shooters who can score goals
The basic principles of attacking play are to:
Keep possession of the ball
Open up and use space to progress the ball towards goal
Positive movement onto the ball
Accurate Shooting

7. Using Space & Tempo in Netball
To ensure game superiority, creating space and/or denying space helps to manoeuvre & out-manoeuvre opponents.
For example, In Netball, the WA moves out wide bringing WD with them there for creating space for GA to run into to receive a pass.
Tempo of Play
Varying the speed at which you decide to play can have an effect on the game. Varying tempo offers an element of surprise.

8. Netball Strategies

9. Principles of Team play
Understanding about how to use, vary, change & adapt these principles are vital. It will make performances easier to deal with & exploit variations in formations and systems of play that opposition teams will apply.
Width
Depth
Support
Penetration
Mobility
Improvisation
Communication
Organisation

10. Principles of Team play
Width: This is the space between players across the pitch or court. When players create width in attack: they have more space and time in which to work and execute skills; it puts pressure on the defence by stretching them and creating holes in the defence called space
Depth: This is the space between players along the length of the pitch or court. When players create depth in attack: they offer support options ahead of and behind the ball carrier, they have more space and time in which to work and execute skills; it puts pressure on the defence by stretching them and creating holes in the defence called space.

11. Principles of Team play
Support: This is the availability of options created by players of the ball. Players who are not in possession of the ball must be creating space and/or in a position to receive a pass at either side or in front and behind the ball carrier. When players support well in attack: there are numerous options available to ensure the attack continues, overload situations occur where attackers outnumber defenders.
Penetration: This is the ability to break through and or get in behind a defence. This achieved by: players taking on the defenders and beating them in 1v1 situations though overload situations (2v1 for example) are best, fast counter attacks to catch the defence off guard, runs off the ball to get in behind the defence and passes played over the top of the defence for players to move onto.
Mobility: This is movement on and off the ball it is the ability to change direction at pace move into space. An attack that is static is easy to defend, therefore players on and off the ball need to constantly be moving and changing direction to get free from the defenders, create space, offer support options and try to penetrate the defence.

12. Principles of Team play
Improvisation: refers to adapting or changing to the various performance situations that arise. Switching to another play or tactic allow you to deal with opposition more effectively.
Communication: This is required to make players aware of the attacking tactic; aware of support options, when and where they are in space etc. It can be verbal (a shout) or a visual (a hand signal)
Organisation: Players have specific roles and responsibilities (we will talk about this later). There are set plays to organise, the attacking formation and the tactics in open play.