Year 3 Netball Lesson 5

Lesson Summary

Learning Intentions

  • Throw over longer distances using shoulder pass
  • Recognise which throw is needed over shorter & longer distances
  • Use shoulder pass in a game to build attacking play

Skill Development: Shoulder pass – throwing for distance

Success Criteria

  • I can explain when a shoulder pass is used
  • I can achieve a greater distance using a shoulder pass
  • I can work as part of a team to score points

We are Learning...

to throw for distance using a shoulder pass.

Curriculum Links

NC Apply and develop a broader range of skills, learning how to use them in different ways.

L Explain the difference between short and long passing.

N Estimate distances and know when to use short/long passes.

Equipment

  • Cones
  • Netballs
  • Bibs
  • Shoulder Pass presentation (attached to the lesson plan)

Key Questions

  • Why would we use a shoulder pass? (to throw the ball over a greater distance)
  • How did you work with your team to attack and score points?
  • Did your heart rate rise during today’s lesson? When? Why does this happen?

Shoulder Pass

An image accompanying this article.

What is a shoulder pass?

The shoulder pass is used in netball to throw the ball accurately over a longer distance, especially when a teammate is further away or space needs to be covered quickly. It is chosen because a chest pass may not travel far enough with control, whereas a shoulder pass allows the ball to reach a teammate safely and accurately over distance.

Teaching Points

✔︎ Shoulder Pass

  • Stand side-on with opposite foot forward
  • Hold the ball near the shoulder, support if needed
  • Spread fingers behind the ball
  • Push towards the target, transferring weight forward
  • Follow through with arm and hand

Lesson Content

Starter Activity - Ball Tag

Objective: To use a range of passes to keep possession.

Set-up:

  • Pupils work in groups of five.
  • In each group, three pupils are passers and two are taggers.
  • Use a clearly marked playing area.

How to play:

  • The three passers move around the space, passing the ball to keep possession.
  • The two taggers try to tag the ball holder or intercept a pass.
  • If a passer is tagged or their pass is intercepted, they swap roles with the tagger involved.
  • The game always remains 3 v 2.

Rules:

  • Passers cannot run with the ball.
  • Pupils must follow netball footwork rules when receiving the ball.
  • Passes should be controlled and purposeful.

Rotation: If not occurring through the game play itself, rotate pupils within the groups regularly to keep intensity high and ensure everyone experiences both attacking and defending roles.

Focus: Using a mix of short and long passes Moving into space to support the ball carrier. Defending by anticipating and intercepting. Quick decision-making under pressure.

Discussion: What helped your team keep the ball for longer when you were passing? How did moving into space make it easier to receive a pass? What did defenders do well to tag or intercept the ball? What types of passes did you try to use?

A guideline image demonstrating this lesson plan content

Skill Development - Shoulder Pass

Activity 1: Exploring Pass Choice (Pairs) In pairs, pupils stand facing each other about 1 metre (3 ft) apart.

  • Complete four chest passes, then one pupil takes one step backwards.
  • Continue until a chest pass becomes difficult to reach.
  • At this point, pupils switch to a shoulder pass, using the teaching points.

Discussion: When did you need to change to a shoulder pass, and why was the chest pass no longer effective?

Activity 2: Pass Selection Under Pressure (2 v 1)

Pupils work in groups of three: two attackers and one defender.

  • The attackers aim to make as many successful passes as possible before the defender intercepts (can be a catch or just knocked away).
  • The receiver moves into space to catch the ball.
  • The thrower chooses whether to use a chest or shoulder pass based on distance and pressure.
  • Attackers must keep moving, changing distance and direction (forwards, backwards and side-to-side).

Teaching focus: Choosing the right pass for the distance. Moving into space to receive. Quick decision-making while under pressure.

Assessment for Learning

Aim of the game: Attackers score points by touching one of the cones with the ball before the defender touches or intercepts the ball.

Set-up:

  • Mark out a small playing area.
  • Place four cones randomly inside the area.
  • Pupils play 3 attackers v 1 defender.

How to play / Rules:

  • No contact.
  • Attackers cannot move with the ball.
  • Teams cannot score on the same cone twice in a row.
  • The defender attempts to touch the ball carrier or intercept a pass.

Attackers must pass accurately, move into space, and get close to cones to score.

Teaching focus: Accurate passing, pass selection to outwit the defender, quick movement into space, and decision-making under pressure.

Organisation: Rotate roles regularly so all pupils experience attacking and defending. Switch pupils between groups to give them different experiences and challenge levels.

Easier: Add a fourth attacker. Add another cone to score on. Harder: Remove a scoring cone. Play 2 v 2.

Discussion: What helped your team score points without being intercepted? When did you use a shoulder pass and why? How did moving into space make passing and scoring easier? What did the defender do well to put pressure on the attackers? How did the rule about not scoring on the same cone twice change your decisions?

A guideline image demonstrating this lesson plan content