How to Pass in Netball
The fundamentals of passing in netball: choosing the right pass, timing, and the common mistakes that lead to turnovers.
Good passing in netball is about timing and weight more than power — release early to a player who is moving into space, and match the pass type (chest, shoulder, bounce or lob) to the distance and pressure you're under.
Passing is netball's only way of moving the ball — there's no dribbling — so it's the skill every other part of the game depends on.
Choosing the right pass
Netball has four main pass types, each suited to different distances and situations:
- Chest pass — the most accurate option over short to medium distances.
- Shoulder pass — for longer distances or passing over a defender.
- Bounce pass — to get the ball under a defender's reach, often into the circle.
- Lob pass — a high, arcing pass over a defender, usually into the circle.
Timing matters more than power
The biggest difference between a beginner and an experienced passer isn't arm strength — it's timing. A pass released the instant a teammate begins their move into space is far harder to defend than a hard, accurate pass thrown to a teammate who is already standing still and marked.
Passing under pressure
Remember you only have three seconds to release the ball once you have it — see held ball — and a defender must stay at least 0.9m away while you hold it, though they can close that gap the instant you release it. Decide on a likely first option before you catch the ball where possible, so you're not starting your decision-making from zero once the clock starts.
Disguising the pass
Looking directly at your intended target before releasing the ball gives defenders time to react. Practising "eyes away" passing — scanning the court broadly rather than staring down the receiver — makes your passing far harder to read.
Where to go next
Once the basics feel comfortable, work through each pass type individually — chest, shoulder, bounce and lob — then pair passing with how to catch and how to pivot, since all three combine in almost every phase of play. For structured practice, see passing drills.
Coaching points
- Practise passing on the move, not just from a stationary set position — most match passes happen while both players are moving.
- Encourage players to call for the ball early and to pass to space, not to a teammate's current position.
- Set a strict time limit in drills to build habits that respect the three-second held ball rule.
Common mistakes
- Waiting for a teammate to be completely free before passing, instead of passing into the space they're moving toward.
- Telegraphing the pass by looking directly at the intended receiver before releasing it.
- Using the same pass type regardless of distance or defensive pressure.