NetballExplained

Change of Direction in Netball

How to change direction sharply in netball: planting the outside foot after a longer run, turning on the ball of the foot, and pairing it with a change of pace.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last updated

A change of direction uses the same technique as a dodge, but after a longer run: lower your centre of gravity, ground the outside foot, rotate on the ball of that foot and push off hard into the new direction, pumping your arms. Pair it with a change of pace to catch the defender committed.

Every dodge, cut and defensive recovery in netball rests on the same movement: changing direction quickly and under control. World Netball's coaching material defines a change of direction as the same technique as a dodge, but made after a longer run.

Technique

A dodge compared with a change of direction Left panel, the dodge: attacker A, marked by defender D, takes one or two short steps to the left, then plants and drives right to receive a pass from P. Right panel, the change of direction: attacker A makes a longer run to the right, plants the outside foot and cuts back towards P to receive the pass. Dodge Change of direction A D P 1 2 A D P 3
Same technique, different run. Filled circles are attackers; D is the defender; the solid line is the pass.
  1. Dodge: one or two short, quick steps the opposite way to where you want to catch.
  2. Ground the outside foot, turn the knees and hips, and push off into the space.
  3. Change of direction: the same plant-and-push-off, but at the end of a longer run.
  1. Lower your centre of gravity as you come into the turn, bending the knee to bring your speed down under control.
  2. Ground the outside foot — the foot on the outside of the turn.
  3. Rotate and push off. Pivot on the ball of the grounded foot, turning it, your knees and your hips towards the new direction, then push off.
  4. Accelerate. Your weight transfers quickly over the inside foot as you accelerate away, with your arms pumping.

It should be quick and decisive, with balance maintained throughout.

Add a change of pace

World Netball's guidance pairs change of direction with change of pace. Attacking isn't just sprinting — it's a blend of walking, jogging, running and sprinting, and the skill is knowing when to change speed. If the defender has committed to your first movement, a sudden change of speed forces them to readjust — and that's the moment to accelerate away.

Slowing down matters

How sharp a change of direction looks depends heavily on how well you can slow down under control first. The manual lists stopping alongside change of pace, pivoting and changing direction as core movement skills, and it stresses that speed has to come with balance and control. A player who can stop and redirect quickly will often look sharper than one who is simply faster in a straight line.

In defence too

Defenders change direction constantly, reacting to an attacker's dodge or lead. The same technique applies, combined with the quick, short steps that keep a defender balanced (see how to defend).

How to practise

World Netball's guidance is to start movement activities slowly — at jogging pace — and build to running and then sprinting, so the correct technique is in place before speed is added. Coaches should design activities that include changes of speed as well as changes of direction. Then add a defender and a passer, so the turn is timed to a real pass.

Sources

All information on this page is given to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing (October 2026), after referring to the official sources below.

Coaching points

  • Build change-of-direction work at jogging pace first, then running, then sprinting.
  • Include changes of speed in the activity, not just changes of direction.
  • Treat slowing down under control as a skill of its own — a sharp turn depends on it.

Common mistakes

  • Staying upright into the turn, so it's rounded rather than sharp.
  • Running at one speed throughout, which lets the defender settle.
  • Turning too early in the run, before the defender has committed.