Types of Netball Passes: A Complete Guide

12 March 2026

skillspassingguidenetball education

A netball pass is how players move the ball up the court — since running with the ball and dribbling are not allowed, every movement relies on accurate, well-timed passes. There are six main types of netball pass, each suited to different game situations. Mastering them gives you options whether you’re feeding the circle, breaking through defence, or moving the ball out from your own end.

Passing Rules in Netball

Before diving into the types of passes, here are the key rules:

You have 3 seconds to pass or shoot after receiving the ball
The ball must be thrown or released — you can’t hand it directly to a teammate
The ball must be received in each third of the court (no “over a third” passes)
There’s no restriction on which type of pass you use
You cannot pass to yourself (no throwing the ball up and catching it)

The Six Main Types of Netball Pass

1. Chest Pass

The most common pass in netball and the first one every player learns.

Technique:

Hold the ball with both hands at chest height, fingers spread behind the ball
Elbows tucked in at your sides
Step forward with one foot as you push the ball out from your chest
Extend your arms fully, flicking your wrists to add speed
Follow through with fingers pointing towards your target

When to use it:

Short to medium distances (up to about 5m)
When you have a clear line to your teammate
Quick passes in tight spaces
Restarting play from a free pass

Strengths: Accurate, quick release, easy to control Weaknesses: Easy for defenders to read, limited range

2. Bounce Pass

The ball is directed towards the ground so it bounces up to the receiver. Useful for getting past defenders.

Technique:

Start with the ball at waist or chest height
Step forward and push the ball towards the ground
Aim for the ball to bounce roughly two-thirds of the way between you and the receiver
The ball should bounce up to the receiver’s waist or chest height
Use backspin to control the bounce

When to use it:

Getting past a tall defender who has their arms up
Feeding the ball into the goal circle to shooters
Short distances where a direct pass is blocked
When the defender is marking your chest pass line

Strengths: Gets under a defender’s arms, harder to intercept Weaknesses: Slower than a direct pass, can be affected by wet courts, requires good judgement of bounce angle

3. Shoulder Pass

A one-handed, powerful pass thrown from beside the shoulder. The go-to pass for longer distances.

Technique:

Hold the ball in your throwing hand, supported by the other hand
Bring the ball up beside your ear/shoulder
Step forward with the opposite foot
Drive your throwing arm forward, releasing the ball with a strong wrist flick
Follow through with your arm pointing at the target

When to use it:

Long passes across a third or down the court
Fast breaks where speed is essential
Passing over the heads of shorter players
When you need power and distance

Strengths: Long range, fast, powerful Weaknesses: One-handed so slightly less accurate, takes longer to set up, easier for defenders to read the direction

4. Overhead Pass (Two-Handed Shoulder Pass)

A two-handed pass released from above the head. Combines power with accuracy.

Technique:

Hold the ball with both hands above and slightly behind your head
Elbows point forward, not out to the sides
Step forward and throw the ball by extending both arms
Release the ball at the highest point
Flick both wrists for speed and follow through

When to use it:

Medium to long distances
Passing over a defender who is marking your chest
Getting height on a pass into the goal circle
When defenders are closing in and you need to release above them

Strengths: Hard to intercept due to height, good range, two-handed accuracy Weaknesses: Slower release than a chest pass, can telegraph direction if not disguised

5. Lob Pass

A high, arcing pass that travels over defenders and drops down to the receiver.

Technique:

Can be thrown one-handed (like a shoulder pass with more height) or two-handed
Aim to get height on the ball so it arcs over the defender
The ball should drop just in front of or directly to the receiver
Time the pass so the receiver can move onto it
Adjust the arc based on the distance — higher for shorter distances, flatter for longer

When to use it:

Passing over a tall defender to a shooter in the circle
When the direct passing lane is completely blocked
Feeding the goal circle from the edge
WA or C feeding GS or GA who are closely marked

Strengths: Difficult for defenders to intercept if well-placed, effective into the circle Weaknesses: Slow — gives defenders time to react, requires precise judgement of arc and distance, easier to misjudge in windy conditions

6. Flick Pass (or Quick Pass)

A short, sharp pass made with a quick flick of the wrist. Used in tight situations.

Technique:

Hold the ball in one or both hands
Use a quick wrist snap to redirect the ball
Minimal backswing — the power comes from the wrist
Can be made from various body positions

When to use it:

Quick transfers in traffic
Redirecting the ball in the centre third when there’s no time to set up
When you’re closely marked and need to release immediately
Passing out of a congested area

Strengths: Very fast release, hard to anticipate Weaknesses: Limited range, less accuracy over distance, requires good wrist strength

Choosing the Right Pass

Situation	Best Pass	Why
Short, clear line to teammate	Chest pass	Quick, accurate, reliable
Defender’s arms are up in front	Bounce pass	Goes under the block
Long distance down the court	Shoulder pass	Power and range
Feeding into the goal circle	Lob or bounce pass	Gets past circle defenders
Defender blocking your chest	Overhead pass	Releases above the block
Tight space, no time	Flick pass	Fastest release
Over a tall defender	Lob pass	Clears the height

Common Passing Mistakes

1. Flat, slow passes

Passes without enough speed are easy to intercept. Always follow through with your wrists to add zip to the ball.

2. Telegraphing the pass

Looking directly at your target before passing tells the defender exactly where the ball is going. Use your peripheral vision and try to disguise your passes.

3. Passing to where the player is

Pass to where your teammate will be, not where they are now. Netball players are constantly moving — lead them with your pass.

4. One-pass thinking

Don’t always go for the obvious pass. If the direct option is covered, look for a different passing angle or pass type.

5. Stepping before passing

Remember the footwork rule — you can’t move your landing foot. Many turnovers come from players stepping before releasing the ball.

Passing Drills to Practise

Triangle Passing

Three players stand in a triangle, about 4–5m apart. Pass the ball around the triangle using different pass types each round (chest, bounce, shoulder). Increase speed as you warm up.

Two-on-One Keepaway

Two attackers try to maintain possession against one defender in a small area. Forces quick decision-making and varied pass types.

Long-Short-Long

Three players in a line. The middle player receives a long pass, turns, and delivers a short pass — then receives a short pass and delivers a long one. Practises transitioning between pass types.

Circle Feeding

A feeder stands outside the goal circle with a defender between them and a shooter inside. The feeder must find ways to get the ball to the shooter using different passes. Rotate roles.

For more training ideas, see our netball drills guide.

Passing in Game Situations

At Centre Pass

The centre pass is typically a short, quick pass — usually a chest pass or a flat shoulder pass. The key is timing: the receiver drives into the centre third and the Centre releases the ball as they arrive. Read more about centre pass rules.

In the Attacking Third

Passes into the goal circle need precision. Lobs and bounce passes are common because they help get the ball past circle defenders. The WA and GA often act as feeders, using quick passes to find the shooters.

In Defence

When winning the ball back, the first pass out of defence is crucial. A strong shoulder pass down the sideline or a quick chest pass to the Centre can start a fast break before the opposition resets.

Tips for Better Passing

Practise with both hands — being able to shoulder pass with either arm makes you much harder to defend
Strengthen your wrists — wrist strength directly affects pass speed and control
Communicate — call your teammate’s name or use a visual signal before passing
Vary your passes — if you always use the same pass, defenders will read you
Watch the defender — their body position tells you which pass will work best

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of passes are there in netball?

There are six main types of netball pass: chest pass, bounce pass, shoulder pass, overhead pass, lob pass, and flick pass. The chest pass is the most common, while the shoulder pass is used for longer distances.

What is the best pass in netball?

There is no single best pass — it depends on the situation. The chest pass is the most reliable for short distances. The bounce pass is effective against tall defenders. The shoulder pass covers the most distance. Good players use a mix of all pass types.

Can you bounce the ball in netball?

You cannot bounce the ball to yourself (that’s a rule violation), but bounce passes to a teammate are legal and commonly used. Bounce passes are especially effective for feeding the ball into the goal circle past defenders.

What is the hardest pass in netball?

The lob pass is generally considered the most difficult because it requires precise judgement of arc, distance, and timing. If misjudged, it gives defenders time to intercept. The shoulder pass with the non-dominant hand is also challenging for many players.

Passing is a skill that improves with practice. The more passes you make in training, the more instinctive your choices become in games.

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