How to Do a Bounce Pass in Netball
Bounce pass technique in netball: how to get the ball under a defender's arms, and when it's the right choice.
A bounce pass is thrown down and forward so it bounces once before reaching the receiver, used to get the ball under a defender's raised arms — most often into the shooting circle.
The bounce pass is netball's answer to a defender with their arms up — a pass that goes under pressure instead of through or over it.
Technique
Similar hand position to a chest pass, but aimed down and out rather than straight ahead. Push the ball toward a spot on the floor roughly two-thirds of the way to your target, so it bounces once and rises to around waist height as it reaches the receiver.
When to use it
The bounce pass is most valuable feeding into the shooting circle, where defenders — particularly a marking Goal Keeper or Goal Defence — often have arms raised to contest a higher pass. See feeding the shooting circle for how this fits into circle play more broadly. It's also useful in tight spaces where a flatter pass would be easy to intercept.
Getting the bounce point right
The single biggest factor in a good bounce pass is where it hits the floor. Too close to you, and a defender has time to step in front of it after the bounce. Too close to the receiver, and it arrives awkwardly high or low for them to control. Aim for roughly two-thirds of the distance to your target, adjusting with practice for different receiving heights.
Common technique errors
A bounce pass thrown too hard skids rather than rising cleanly into a catchable position — ease off the power compared with a flat chest pass covering the same distance.
Practising it
Practise bounce passes into a stationary target first to dial in your bounce point, then add a defender with arms raised to simulate real circle pressure. See passing drills for structured sessions.
Common mistakes
- Bouncing the ball too close to the receiver, making it awkward to catch cleanly.
- Bouncing too far away, giving a defender time to step in and intercept.
- Using a bounce pass in open space where a chest pass would be faster and safer.