NetballExplained

How to Dodge in Netball

How to dodge in netball: the ready stance, short steps the wrong way, planting the outside foot and pushing off into space, timed with the passer.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last updated

From a balanced stance, take one or two short, quick steps the opposite way to where you want to catch. Ground your outside foot, bend the knee, rotate on the ball of that foot and push off hard into the space, pumping your arms. It's the sharpness and timing that beat the defender, not raw speed.

A dodge is the quickest way to lose a defender in a tight space. World Netball's coaching material describes it as a short, sharp movement, often from a standing start, used to change direction quickly and create space — for yourself or a teammate. It also lets you wrong-foot the defender, or draw them away from the space where you want to catch.

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.

World Netball's coaching points, step by step:

  1. Start balanced. Feet about shoulder-width apart, weight evenly spread, knees and hips slightly bent. Body upright, with your head and eyes up watching the play. Arms bent, elbows relaxed by your sides.
  2. Go the wrong way first. Take one or two short, quick steps in the opposite direction to where you want to catch.
  3. Ground the outside foot. Bend the knee to lower your centre of gravity and reduce your speed.
  4. Turn and push off. Pivot on the ball of the grounded foot, rotating it, your knees and your hips in the direction you want to go, then push off.
  5. Accelerate away. Your weight transfers quickly back over the inside foot as you accelerate in the new direction, with your arms pumping to help.

Every part of the movement should be quick and decisive, with good balance throughout.

Why it works

The dodge works because of timing and contrast, not top speed. World Netball's guidance is explicit that speed off the mark matters but has to come with timing, balance and control. The defender has to react to your first step; if it's convincing, they shift their weight, and the push-off the other way leaves them a step behind.

When to use it

Dodging suits tight spaces where a defender is close — a Wing Attack on the transverse line at a centre pass, or a shooter trying to get free in a crowded circle. In open court, a direct lead is often simpler. And if you need a longer run first, the same technique becomes a change of direction.

Timing with the passer

A dodge only creates a chance if the pass arrives as you push off into the space. Make eye contact with the passer, and dodge when they're ready to release the ball — not before. World Netball's coaching material notes that even a perfectly timed movement won't link with the ball if the passer misjudges the moment of release, so the timing has to work both ways.

Vary it

Use dodges to either side, single and double "wrong way" steps, and changes of pace. A defender who has seen the same dodge three times will start to read it.

How to practise

Start slowly: World Netball's guidance is to build movement skills at jogging pace, then running, then sprinting, so the technique is right before speed is added. Practise against a passive defender, then a live one, then add a passer who has to time the delivery. See the footwork, landing and pivot drill and how to create space.

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.

Common mistakes

  • Steps the wrong way that are too small or too slow to move the defender.
  • Rounding the turn instead of planting and pushing off sharply.
  • Dodging before the passer is ready to release the ball.
  • Using the same dodge every time, so the defender learns it.