Dodging & Leading: The First-Step Advantage (3v3)

Overview

This 22-minute attacking drill teaches C, WA and GA to create a first-step advantage: move the defender’s feet, explode into a passing lane, and release the ball early. It progresses from a repeatable dodge-and-lead pattern to an 8-second live 3v3 phase, so players learn both the action and the decision that follows it.

Use it when your unit is being held by tight one-on-one defence, feeds are late, or attackers bunch near the transverse line. The diagrams use a regulation 30.5m x 15.25m court, divided into three equal thirds, with a 4.9m-radius goal circle.1 Keep early reps in the centre-to-attacking-third channel to preserve width.

Coach’s intent: “Win the defender’s first step, then ask the feeder to deliver into the space created.”

Setup

Set the practice on the attacking half. Mark a dodge gate with two cones 1.5m apart, 2m inside the centre third and 1m from the sideline. Put a lead target 4m forward and 2m infield, then a support gate 5m behind it. The goal circle is the live target in Phase 3.

Item	Quantity	Coaching use
Netballs	2–3	One active ball; one spare with the coach to maintain tempo.
Flat cones	6	Two for the dodge gate, two for the front-lead target, two for C’s support gate.
Bibs	6	Blue for C1, WA2 and GA3; coral for WD4, GD5 and GK6.
Stopwatch/whistle	1	Start the 8-second live-clock in Phase 3.

The six on-court roles are C1, WA2, GA3 against WD4, GD5 and GK6. These are standard World Netball positions with specified court areas; keep the pattern in legal spaces in a full-court application.1 Coach from 3m off-court near the transverse line.

Role	Starting picture	Non-negotiable job
C1	Ball in centre third, 3m from the transverse line	Hold a strong pivot, scan, and pass to space.
WA2	1m behind the dodge gate, marked by WD4	Sell a false line, then explode into the front lead.
GA3	5m ahead and infield of WA2	Trigger a curved second lead as WA2 receives.
WD4 / GD5 / GK6	Goal-side or ball-side, according to their role	Apply legal, game-realistic pressure without grabbing or blocking the drill’s flow.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Phase 1 — First Dodge, Re-offer and Front Lead (6 minutes)

1. C1 starts with the ball in the centre third. WA2 is fronted or side-marked by WD4 at the dodge gate; defenders work at 70% pressure.
2. On C1’s visual cue, WA2 takes two committed steps across WD4’s body, selling the false route with eyes, shoulders and hips.
3. As WD4 shifts, WA2 plants the outside foot and accelerates 3–5m into the lead target. The lead finishes in front of the defender.
4. C1 passes on the plant, just ahead of WA2’s outside shoulder.
5. Freeze every third rep. Check daylight, early release and defender movement. Run four reps each side.

Phase 2 — Catch, Pivot and Link (7 minutes)

1. Keep the first action, then let C1’s pass travel to WA2. WA2 catches on the move, lands balanced and pivots to face the attacking third.
2. GA3 runs only when WA2 secures the ball and plants the pivot foot.
3. GA3 curves 4–6m to the second target, arriving on GD5’s ball-side shoulder.
4. WA2 fires a flat pass to GA3; if covered, use C1’s support re-offer.
5. After two linked passes, rotate C1 → WA2 → GA3 → C1 and WD4 → GD5 → GK6 → WD4. Give one coaching cue per rep.

Phase 3 — Live 3v3 Continuation (9 minutes)

1. Make all defenders live. Start C1 in the centre third and begin an 8-second clock on the whistle.
2. Attackers must enter the goal circle on time. Every pass triggers a purposeful lead; a static attacker loses possession.
3. Award one point for a circle entry, a bonus point for a moving receipt at the circle edge, and defenders one point for a clean intercept or forced turnover.
4. Defenders contest legally and communicate: deny the first lead, hunt the second pass, or protect the circle edge.
5. Rotate cyclically after each rep. Complete two sets of four reps, then ask which lead made the clearest passing window.

Key Coaching Points

1. Move the defender first. Sell the false route with a sharp change of pace, hips and eyes.
2. Lead through space. Receive at speed, 3–5m beyond the dodge, with hands early and body between ball and defender.
3. Feed early and flat. Use the plant foot as the cue; a late pass invites an intercept.
4. Build the next lead off the catch. GA3 goes as WA2 receives, creating two quick threats.
5. Keep width. C1 supports behind and infield, not in WA2’s corridor.
6. Demand legal pressure. Game intensity only helps when footwork, space and contact are respected.2

Common Mistakes

Common error	What it looks like	Immediate correction
Decorative dodge	WA2 takes a side step but never moves WD4’s balance.	Require two committed steps across the defender before the front lead.
Late feed	C1 holds until WA2 is stationary.	Coach “pass on the plant”; if late, the rep does not score.
Flat second lead	GA3 runs straight down-court into GD5.	Place the target cone infield and demand a curved route.
Crowded support	C1 trails directly into WA2’s space.	Mark the support gate and require C1 to re-offer from it.
Ball watching	The next attacker waits for the pass to leave.	Use the catch/pivot as the verbal trigger: “Catch—go!”

Variations & Progressions

Option	How to run it	Coaching focus
Easier: shadow defence	Defenders mirror but cannot intercept for the first two minutes.	Body shape, footwork and passing timing.
Harder: double dodge	WA2 must fake one way, re-offer, then front lead before C1 may pass.	Patience, balance and the feeder’s scan.
Harder: floating interceptor	Add a seventh player as a neutral interceptor in the centre of the channel.	Scanning, reset choices and protection of the ball.

Age Adaptations

For Under 8, remove defenders, shorten the lead to 2–3m, and praise balanced landings. For Under 10, use a passive WD and one cue: “dodge, plant, go.” For Under 12, run Phases 1–2 with one active defender and a 10-second live clock. For Under 14, use the complete 3v3 design. For Under 16 and Open, add the floating interceptor or a second re-offer after a denied pass; players must choose, not merely repeat, the pattern.

References