How to prepare for a Netball Season - your preseason checklist (Free Downloadable PDF)

As a coach, preparing for the netball season involves more than just focusing on skills and fitness. It’s about creating a cohesive, motivated team and laying down the groundwork for success. Whether you’re working with an experienced team or a group of newcomers, preseason preparation is crucial in setting expectations, building relationships, and establishing a culture of success. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the most of your preseason and setting your team up for a productive and successful season.

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2025 SEASON PLANNER.pdf

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1. Create a Calendar for Your Season

One of the first steps in preseason planning is to create a clear and organized calendar for the entire season. This calendar should include:

• Training Sessions: Make sure to set regular training days and times for the whole season. It’s important to communicate these early on to ensure athletes can plan their schedules accordingly.

• Extra Activities: In addition to regular training, include any additional activities such as fitness assessments, video analysis sessions, or specialized coaching clinics.

• Team Bonding: Plan extra activities aimed at building team chemistry, such as team dinners, outdoor activities, or fun challenges. These moments help create lasting relationships and foster a strong sense of camaraderie, which is key to success both on and off the court.

By providing a detailed calendar, you ensure everyone is on the same page from day one, reducing confusion and increasing commitment.

2. Set Up Group Communication Method

Efficient communication is vital for any team. Setting up a clear communication method ensures that information about training, matches, or team events gets to everyone quickly and without confusion.

You can use apps like WhatsApp, Slack, or TeamSnap for easy, real-time communication. These platforms allow you to send out quick updates, reminders, and even share important documents like training plans or match schedules.

Make sure to establish communication guidelines from the start. For example, you may want to agree on how far in advance players should confirm attendance at training or how quickly you expect them to respond to messages.

3. Define Your Coaching Style and Expectations

As a coach, your style and expectations should be clear to everyone on the team. Your players need to understand how you approach coaching, what you value, and how they can succeed under your guidance.

• Coaching Style: Are you a coach who emphasizes discipline, fun, or creativity? Do you prefer structured drills or allowing players more freedom to explore? Define your approach to coaching in a way that helps players understand your expectations.

• Expectations: What do you expect from your players in terms of effort, attitude, attendance, and commitment? Setting these expectations early helps to avoid any confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page when it comes to dedication to the team.

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4. Organize Culture Activities to Build Connection

A strong team culture is a cornerstone of success in any sport. Netball, like many team sports, thrives on cooperation, trust, and mutual respect. Organize activities that help build connection among teammates and create a positive atmosphere.

• Team Outings: Plan activities outside of training, like social dinners, movie nights, or volunteer work. These events help players bond and build relationships that go beyond the court.

• Small Group Activities: Create opportunities for players to work together in smaller groups during training, allowing them to get to know each other better and strengthen teamwork.

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5. Team Culture Building Session to Outline Goals and Values

Start your preseason with a team culture-building session. This is an opportunity to set the tone for the season and get everyone involved in shaping the team's identity.

• Define Team Values: Have an open discussion with your players about the core values the team will prioritize. These might include respect, hard work, trust, or leadership.

• Set Team Goals: Work together to define both short-term and long-term team goals. For example, your short-term goal might be improving passing accuracy, while your long-term goal could be qualifying for the finals. Get input from all team members so they feel invested in these objectives.

  
  

6. Send an Introduction Email to Parents and Athletes

Once your coaching style and expectations are clearly defined, communicate them with both athletes and their parents. An introduction email is the perfect way to outline your goals for the season and set expectations.

• For Parents: Outline the commitment required for the season, including attendance at practices, matches, and team bonding events. Emphasize the importance of teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship. This also gives parents the opportunity to reach out with any questions or concerns.

• For Athletes: Restate your coaching philosophy and expectations, and encourage athletes to commit to the team both mentally and physically. Share any preseason tasks or fitness activities they need to complete.

  
  

7. Create Your Goals for the Season

Setting clear goals for the season is one of the best ways to motivate your players and give everyone a sense of purpose. Think about both individual and team goals.

• Team Goals: Do you want to improve your defensive strategies, increase scoring efficiency, or build stronger team dynamics? Establish measurable, specific goals so that progress can be tracked throughout the season.

• Individual Goals: Encourage each player to set personal goals, whether that’s improving their shooting accuracy or mastering a specific defensive skill. Regularly check in on these goals to provide guidance and support.

  
  

8. Preseason Training – Send Activities to Athletes

Preseason training is crucial in preparing your players for the rigors of the competition. However, you can start the preseason before the team officially gathers by sending athletes home with a fitness plan. This ensures they enter the season in peak physical condition.

• Fitness Activities: Encourage athletes to focus on cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, and agility exercises. Offer them resources such as online workout videos or specific drills to do on their own.

• Skill-Based Exercises: Include individual skill-based activities, like passing drills or shooting practice, so athletes can maintain their netball skills in the offseason.

  
  

9. Create Training Plans – Key Areas to Focus on in the First 4 Weeks

The first few weeks of training are pivotal in establishing a foundation for the rest of the season. Focus on building fundamental skills and improving fitness while introducing your players to your team’s game strategy.

• Week 1–2: Focus on Fundamentals: Start with basic skills—passing, footwork, and basic positioning. These two weeks should focus on getting the players comfortable with core skills.

• Week 3–4: Team Tactics and Conditioning: Gradually introduce more complex drills focused on teamwork, passing under pressure, and defensive positioning. Fitness should continue to be a key focus.

By focusing on these key areas early on, you’ll ensure that your players are ready for the competition ahead.

Conclusion

Preseason is a time to lay the groundwork for a successful season. By following these steps, you’ll be setting your team up for not just success on the court, but also a cohesive, motivated, and connected group. Through clear communication, goal setting, and team-building activities, your athletes will be ready to bring their best to every training session and match. Let’s kick off the 2025 season with strong preparation and a team ready to thrive!