Boost Your Netball Shooting Accuracy: A 4‑Week Coach‑Designed Training Plan

You’ve probably felt that sting of a missed goal right before the final whistle – the kind that makes you replay the shot in your head over and over. In today’s fast‑paced netball season, a reliable shooter can be the difference between a win and a loss. That’s why I’ve put together a simple, four‑week plan that I use with my club teams. It’s built on the basics, but with a few tweaks that keep the drills fresh and the progress measurable.

Week 1 – Foundations First

H2 Warm‑up: Get the Body Ready

A good warm‑up is more than just jogging. Spend 10 minutes on dynamic moves – leg swings, arm circles, and side shuffles. Finish with a few light catches and passes to wake up the hands. I always tell my players, “If your muscles are still sleepy, your shot will be too.”

H2 Technique Check: The Shooting Box

The shooting box is a small rectangle drawn on the floor (about one metre wide). It forces you to plant your feet correctly and keep your body balanced. Have each player take five shots from the box, focusing on:

• Feet shoulder‑width apart
• Knees slightly bent
• Eyes on the target, not the ball

Record how many go in. This baseline will show you where you start.

H2 Drill: One‑Hand Set Shots

Set shots are the bread and butter of netball. For this drill, stand at the goal line, hold the ball with one hand, and shoot using only that hand. Do 20 reps, then switch hands. This builds strength in both arms and improves your feel for the ball’s release point. I love watching my players discover that their “weak” hand can actually be a secret weapon.

Week 2 – Adding Pressure

H2 Conditioning: Short Sprints

Shooting under fatigue is a real test. After a brief warm‑up, run 4 × 30‑meter sprints, resting 20 seconds between each. Immediately after the last sprint, take a set shot. You’ll notice the difference in accuracy when your legs are tired – that’s the pressure you’ll face in a tight game.

H2 Drill: The “Beat the Clock” Game

Set a timer for 60 seconds. The player must make as many successful set shots as possible from the shooting box. Keep a tally. The goal isn’t to be perfect, but to stay focused while the clock ticks. I often join in, and the laughter that follows reminds us that training can be fun, even when we’re racing the seconds.

H2 Review: Video Feedback

If you have a phone, record a few shots from different angles. Watch the playback together and point out small things – a wobble in the wrist, a lean forward, or a head tilt. Seeing yourself on screen is a quick way to spot habits you can’t feel while you’re shooting.

Week 3 – Game‑Like Scenarios

H2 Drill: Pass‑and‑Shoot

Pair up players. One passes the ball to the shooter, who must catch, pivot, and shoot in one fluid motion. Start close to the goal, then gradually move the passer back to the wing. This mimics the real flow of a match where you rarely get a perfect, static set shot.

H2 Drill: Defensive Pressure

Add a defender who stands just inside the shooting circle, arms up, trying to block the view. The shooter must adjust the angle and still find the net. This teaches you to use the backboard and to aim for the corners, skills that pay off when a real defender is in your face.

H2 Mental Cue: “Breathe, Then Release”

Under pressure, many players hold their breath. Practice a simple breathing cue: inhale as you catch, exhale as you bring the ball up, and release on the second exhale. I’ve seen this tiny habit turn a shaky shooter into a calm finisher.

Week 4 – Polish and Test

H2 Full‑Match Simulation

Run a short scrimmage (10‑12 minutes) where each team must attempt a set shot after every turnover. Keep score of successful shots. This forces every player to shoot under real‑time fatigue and competition. It also builds confidence because you see improvement in a game setting.

H2 Accuracy Test: The 30‑Shot Challenge

Set a goal of 30 consecutive set shots from the shooting box. Record how many land in the target zone. Compare this number to the baseline from Week 1. Most players see a jump of at least 8‑10 makes – a clear sign the plan works.

H2 Reflection: What Worked?

Gather the team for a quick chat. Ask each player to name one drill they liked and one thing they still find tricky. This feedback loop helps you tweak future sessions and shows the players that their voice matters.

Keeping the Momentum

The four‑week plan is a starter kit, not a one‑off fix. Keep the core drills in your weekly routine, and add new variations as you go. Remember, consistency beats intensity. As a former national player, I learned that the best shooters are the ones who practice a little every day, not just before a big match.

So, lace up, grab a ball, and give this plan a go. Your future self – the one celebrating a winning goal in the final seconds – will thank you.