Netball Games for Girls

Netball is a game similar to basketball. Played mostly by females, netball is especially popular in the British Commonwealth. The object of the game is for one team to shoot a ball through the net or ring of the opposing team. Each team consists of seven players, and a game lasts an hour.

  1. Small-Sided Netball

    • Small-sided netball is a mini version of the game, much like mini soccer is of soccer. The aim is the same as in adult netball, but the smaller space uses one-third of the court, making it easier for children to play at a high intensity. This version of netball helps to develop youngsters' offensive and defensive skills and abilities with the ball. It is a game which also helps teach players the importance of finding space.

    Netta

    • Popular in Australia, Netta -- an amalgam of "Netball Australia" -- is played by girls under the age of 11. This is a noncompetitive game specifically designed to improve players' skills. Players change positions throughout the game. Netta players have twice as much time with the ball than in the adult version of netball. This helps to develop both a youngster's handling and passing skills in a relaxed environment.

    High-Five Netball

    • High-five netball is a game mostly played in the United Kingdom. Like Netta, it helps players develop a good positional sense, as they spend part of this game playing in all of the five positions. High-five netball lasts under half the time of the adult, seven-a-side netball, and is meant to prepare players for the adult version. This is a game recommended for girls between the ages of 9 and 11.

    Fastnet

    • Though played by adults, fastnet is also a game suitable for younger players. This game is less than half the duration of adult netball, and is faster, as the name implies. It is a game which utilizes ideas from other sports. For instance, in the event of a tie, penalties are used, as in soccer, to decide the winner. Fastnet is a fluid game with no stoppages for substitutions. It is designed to ultimately widen the appeal of netball by gaining the sport more TV coverage. At the time of publication, only Singapore has a professional league.