Netball is currently the most popular women’s team sport in the UK, and for good reason. It’s easy to pick up, is great for physical and mental health and enables players to make new friends and improve their confidence.
Cardiovascular Fitness
Any game of netball requires lots of running around as well as quickly changing direction. This will improve your overall fitness and lead to increased agility and strength. Your short-distance sprinting will improve, and depending on your position, you’ll find you cover a surprising amount of ground during any given match.
Hand-Eye Coordination
You’ll learn a range of throwing techniques and also improve your catching ability. Your hand-eye coordination will improve over time, and you’ll perfect each of the throwing techniques, including chest passes, high passes and bounce passes. Depending on the position you play in, you’ll also become adept at shooting and scoring goals.
Mental Health Benefits
It’s no secret that physical activity is known to improve mental health. Team sports are particularly beneficial, as they foster a sense of community and camaraderie. Taking part in any form of exercise leads the brain to produce chemicals that make you happier, and they continue to improve your mood even afterwards. Netball in particular offers a chance for players to take a break from the stress of everyday life and to focus on a common goal with like-minded people. Playing as part of a team will boost your confidence.
How to Get Started
If you’d like to learn how you can get involved, England Netball has nine regional divisions, each responsible for overseeing a different part of the country. Your local division can help you find your nearest team, as well as provide information on ways to get involved through volunteering for the sport.
If you’ve previously played but are a little rusty, you can find some great tips and advice on improving your game. Watching a netball drill video is a great way to learn new tactics or refresh your memory.
The physical and mental health benefits of netball are many and varied, and this is by no means an exhaustive list. Joining a netball team will boost your fitness levels, mood and confidence, no matter what your previous experience or level of ability.
Getting started safely as a beginner
One of netball’s attractions is how easy it is to start. You do not need expensive equipment, just a pair of trainers with good ankle support and a solid sole, a T-shirt and shorts, or longer tights on cooler days. Women will find a high impact sports bra makes playing far more comfortable.
Always warm up before playing and cool down afterwards. The quick stops, starts and changes of direction put a lot of strain on the ankles, knees and core, and a proper warm up reduces the risk of injury. A good long stretch at the end prevents aches and tight muscles in the days that follow.
You can build skills between matches by practising short sprints, jogging backwards, side stepping and quick changes of direction alone or with a friend. Watching experienced players shows how a team moves together in attack and defence. Try different positions too, as you may find you are a stronger defender than attacker.