Positional Netball 5-on-5 with Rotating Pinnies
A 5-on-5 netball game where each player wears a pinnie marked with a position and may only step into that position's thirds of the court. Students work on passing without dribbling, getting open in limited space, and owning a role.
How to play
- Set up two cross-courts with a basket, split into thirds with cones and a 4 m shooting semicircle; four teams of 6 with GS, GA, C, GD, and GK written on masking tape on the pinnies (3 min).
- Explain the positions (2 min): GS, attacking third and circle; GA, center and attacking thirds plus circle; C, everywhere except the circles; GD, center and defending thirds plus own circle; GK, defending third and circle. Only GS and GA shoot, from inside the circle.
- Start with a center pass; the ball must be caught in every third, with no dribbling, and the receiver has three seconds to pass and may only pivot.
- Play four 4-minute quarters (18 min with changes): after each goal, the team scored on takes the center pass; at each change, everyone rotates positions and the sixth player comes in.
- Wrap-up (2 min): each team shares which position was hardest and why.
Rules
- No dribbling, running with the ball, or grabbing it from hands.
- Stepping outside your position's area is a free pass for the other team.
- Defenders stay 3 ft (1 m) from the ball; any contact gives the attacker a free pass.
- Safety: go for rebounds facing the ball without leaning on opponents.
Variations
Easier
C may go anywhere and players have four seconds to pass.
Standard
Five positions with areas, three seconds, and a catch in every third.
Harder
Add the landing rule: the first foot down on the catch is the pivot foot.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: plays GS or GK, which cover less ground, and shoots from closer.
- Autism: keeps the same position for two quarters and sees a diagram of the areas beforehand.
- Lower skill level: starts at GS or GK and rotates into center positions later.
Learning goals
- Stay within each position's areas during play.
- Pass without dribbling in under three seconds.
- Get open in tight spaces to receive.
Equipment for a class of 25
- balls: 2
- basketball hoops: 4
- pinnies: 24
- masking tape: 2
- cones: 24
Teacher tip
Early on there are lots of offside calls: use the first quarter as a warning-only period. Position letters on the pinnies help everyone know where each player can go.
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