Grade 6 Physical And Health Education Netball – Shoulder Pass In Netball Notes
Physical & Health Education — Netball
Subtopic: Shoulder Pass in Netball (Ages ~11)
In netball, the shoulder pass (kupiga pasi kwa bega) is a strong straight pass used to move the ball quickly to a teammate. It is useful when you need power and distance — for example, sending the ball up the court to a teammate in the attacking third.
What you need
- Netball or size-appropriate ball
- Open space on the school court or field (tarmac, grass)
- Cones or markers, bibs for teams
- Teacher or coach for guidance and safety
Key teaching points (Easy steps)
- Ready position: Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, eyes on your target.
- Grip the ball: Hands on either side of the ball, fingers spread, thumbs behind the ball.
- Step forward: Step towards your target with the foot opposite the throwing arm (right foot forward if using left arm? actually step with left foot if throwing with right arm).
- Bring ball to shoulder: Hold the ball at shoulder height on the side of your throwing arm.
- Arm action: Push forward strong from the shoulder, then snap your wrist and fingers to release. Keep elbow high and straight during the push.
- Follow-through: Finish with your throwing arm pointing at the target; thumb should point down.
Simple cue words to remember
"Step — Shoulder — Push — Snap — Follow." These short cues help you perform a correct shoulder pass during matches or practice.
Short safety tips
- Warm up for 8–10 minutes before practising (jog, side steps, arm circles).
- Keep your eyes on your teammate; avoid passing into a player's body that cannot catch safely.
- Practice on a flat surface to avoid slipping on wet grass or uneven ground.
- Do not push off or run with the ball — follow netball footwork rules.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
- Using only the wrist: Want power? Use the shoulder and whole arm, not only the wrist.
- No step forward: Step forward to add momentum. Practice stepping and throwing slowly together.
- Elbow drops: Keep the elbow high during the push so the pass is straight and not low.
- Poor aim: Aim at your teammate's chest or hands, not their head or feet.
Practice drills (class-friendly)
1. Partner catch (5 minutes)
- Stand 5–8 metres apart. Practice shoulder passes slowly, focusing on step and follow-through.
- Count successful catches. Swap roles after 10 passes.
- One player jogs sideways along a line; the passer practices shoulder passes to the moving teammate.
- Improve timing and accuracy — good for inter-class matches.
- Place cones at different distances. Try to hit the cone area with a shoulder pass (aim for cones representing teammates).
Fun games (use in Kenyan schools)
- Pass Relay: Teams pass down a line using only shoulder passes; first team back wins.
- King of the Middle: Two attackers try to keep the ball away from a defender using shoulder passes.
- Class Match Practice: Use smaller courts for younger players — teach shoulder pass as the long pass to move from defence to attack.
How teachers can assess (simple marking)
Use a 10-point scale per student:
- Balance & position (0–2)
- Timing of the step (0–2)
- Elbow & arm action (0–2)
- Accuracy to the target (0–2)
- Safety & rules (no running with ball) (0–2)
Simple diagram: Shoulder Pass action
Final tips
- Practice regularly during PHE lessons — shoulder pass helps teams move quickly from defence to attack.
- Watch school matches and notice when experienced players use the shoulder pass to create space.
- Ask a coach or older player from your school team to demonstrate — learning by watching helps a lot.
Note for Kenyan teachers: adapt distances and drill intensity to suit the class size, available space, and weather (avoid practicing on very wet fields).