School Netball: No-Contact Zone Passing Game
A school version of netball, a passing and shooting game where players may not run or dribble with the ball, and each position is allowed only in certain zones. Students practice passing, getting open, defending at a distance, and following the rules.
How to play
- Set up two 80 × 45 ft courts split into thirds with cones and mark a 13-foot shooting half circle under each basket (3 min).
- On each court, two teams of 5 wear colored pinnies showing their position: defense (own third), wing defense (own and center), center (all thirds), wing attack (center and attack), and shooter (attack and half circle). The other 5 students rotate in.
- Start from the center. A player holding the ball may not walk: pivot on one foot and pass within 3 seconds. No dribbling.
- Only the shooter and wing attack may shoot, and only from inside the half circle. Basket = 1 point.
- Play 4 quarters of 5 minutes; at each break the waiting players come in and everyone switches positions (20 min).
Rules
- No contact: the defender stays 3 feet from the player with the ball, arms up.
- Stepping into a zone you're not allowed in, or walking with the ball, gives the ball to the other team.
- No taking the ball out of an opponent's hands; only intercept passes.
- Safety: nobody jumps for a ball when another player is underneath.
Variations
Easier
Allow 5 seconds to pass and shooting from anywhere in the attacking third.
Standard
Five positions with zones, 3 seconds to pass, and shots only from the half circle.
Harder
Seven players per team using the real netball positions on larger courts.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: plays a one-zone position, and the defender stays 6 feet away.
- Hearing impairment: the referee signals violations with agreed hand signals as well as the whistle.
- Shy students: start on defense, which has less shooting pressure.
Learning goals
- Pass and receive without moving with the ball.
- Get open within the allowed zones.
- Defend without contact while keeping a safe distance.
Equipment for a class of 25
- size 5 balls: 2
- baskets or raised hoops: 4
- colored pinnies: 20
- cones: 16
Teacher tip
Netball is hugely popular in many English-speaking countries and is played with no backboard; if your baskets are high, use hoops at 8 feet or lowered baskets. Tape the position's initials on each pinnie so students remember their zones.
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