what to do on game day + Checklist

A little preparation on game day goes a long way in helping both you and your players feel calm and confident.

Before the Game

  • Plan your team positions
    Know who is playing where for each quarter. You can always make changes on the day, but having a plan means you’ll have more time to focus on tactics, encouragement, and the game itself. Remember: its essential (and Club policy) that all players are rotated through all positions during 9U and 11U - this produces skilled and happy netballers! You can see a great system for managing this at NV here.

  • Arrive early
    Meet your team 15–20 minutes before the game to settle everyone in and avoid feeling rushed.

  • Warm up properly
    Include a light jog, a simple ball drill, and the knee program to get bodies moving and ready to play.

During the Game

  • Be positive
    Encourage effort, teamwork, and improvement - confidence grows when players feel supported and are having fun!

  • Take notes
    Jot down things you notice that you’d like to work on at the next training session.

After the Game

  • Shake hands with the opposition coach
    A quick “thank you” and “great game” helps model good sportspersonship for your players.

  • Congratulate your team

    Irrespective of the score or who won, your team has always done many things well and tried their best - let them know!

You can download a checklist for Game Day here: Game Day Checklist for Coaches