Pivot and the footwork rule
Ready when: Stable body position and landing (b1) done.
What you are learning
The footwork rule: after catching, the first foot down is the landing foot and must not step away; the player may pivot on it to turn and look down the court, then pass. Breaking this rule is the most common foul for beginners.
Words on this card Court, Footwork rule, Pivot
- Court
- The court is split into three thirds: two goal thirds and a centre third.
- Footwork rule
- The first foot to land after a catch is the landing foot; it may pivot but not step away.
- Pivot
- Turning on the ball of the landing foot while the other foot steps round.
Show it first for the one teaching
- Catch the ball and land on one foot, then put the other down.
- Keep the first foot still and step round with the other to turn: a pivot.
- Look up down the court and pass.
Your part while they practise
Call "land, pivot, pass".
Step by step
- Catch.
- Land on one foot, then the other.
- Pivot on the landing foot.
- Turn fully and look down the court.
- Pass.
How much: 10 of each 8 min a session 3 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Pivot ball
Pass along a line, with a full pivot before each pass.
Who plays: 2 or more players passing in a line, against their own best.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Stand in a line, 3 m apart; the ball starts at one end
- Each player catches, lands, pivots to face the next player and passes within 3 seconds
- Down the line and back is one round. 5 rounds
- Fair play
- A grown-up must pivot a full turn every time.
- Points
- 1 point for each catch with a legal landing and a pivot.
- Fouls
- No point, and the round starts again
- The landing foot slides or steps
- Holding the ball longer than 3 seconds
- A dropped ball
- Winning
- Beat your best from 5 rounds.
- 8 points for 1 star
- 14 points for 2 stars
- 20 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
No pass.
A defender 0.9 m away.
What you will see, and what to say
- the foot slides
The landing foot stays still
Pivot on the ball of the foot. - the child turns slowly
Turn fast, look up
See the court.
Self-check
8 of 10 catches with a legal landing and a pivot.
Stop and get a coach when
Knee pain.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains footwork, pivoting.
awiseathlete.com/sports/netball/netball-b3