Health and Safety in Netball
This guide highlights health and safety in netball and the proper prep work for all players - young and old. Check out the safety equipment precautions to help keep you safe and ready for more action.
NETBALL SAFETY RULES: There is no doubt that playing netball has many health benefits.
Healthy exercise is particularly beneficial for most individuals. It can improve weight control and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Apart from the physical health aspect, taking part in a sport can also help with mental health issues. For many, playing netball is a chance to let their hair down and have some fun!
Netball is a team sport played in a controlled environment. The fast-flowing game tests your mobility skills and physical dexterity.
Because of this, there are several netball health and safety rules and regulations to be aware of. Netball injuries relating to balance, overstretching, and pivoting are most prevalent.
Netball Preparation of the Body
Players perform a lot of pivoting and twisting movements. The rules and regulations of netball allow one step and 3 seconds to pass the ball. It is your legs that do most of the work during a game.
Netball preparation of the body starts with your general physical health. Always ask yourself - is your body in good shape for the game?
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Note: Netball is a fast-moving sport with high-cardio workouts. Always consult your doctor for a professional evaluation before you start training and playing.
The most important step in netball preparation takes place ahead of the game. All professional athletes warm up and warm down - and you should too!
Proper muscle stretching should focus on the quads and hamstrings (at the back of your upper legs). Then you should stretch your ankle tendon and ligaments.
Performing a little light cardio work to help you warm up your muscles and joints before a game is ideal.
Netball Health and Safety Techniques
All good netball players work on their balance. You cannot be an effective netball player without balanced stability and movement.
Stopping short and abrupt is an integral part of the game. Pivoting and spinning around are part of the balancing techniques.
Netball rules allow some physical contact, but not 'forced'. You cannot use physical force to hurt or endanger another player.
There is a lot of jumping in netball. You might need some netball coaching drills to steer you in the right direction. But, knowing how to jump and land with soft knees is a crucial part of netball health and safety techniques.
Netball Safety Rules for Equipment
Anyone who is serious about playing netball needs the proper safety gear. Your ankle and knee joints need lots of shock absorption from a quality pair of netball shoes and socks.
Good quality sports footwear is a standard part of all netball safety equipment. They help to cushion bone joints when you jump and land. Some players choose to wear support braces to help stabilize weak or injured ankles or wrists.
Netball Health and Safety Regulations on Court
Providing the playing area is safe - you can play netball outdoors as well as indoors. But there are some basic health and safety regulations in netball relating to court specifications.
- Never play if there is any type of debris on the court.
- Avoid playing on courts that are wet. Wet indoor courts can be slippery and cause an injury when you stop or pivot on your feet.
- Ensure the area around the court is clear and safe.
- Spectators, loose gravel, or other obstacles could be dangerous if players wander out-of-bounds.
- Check the netball net gets fixed at the proper height and secured in the correct position.
- England Netball players only use a regulation netball ball. It is more like a volleyball ball than a basketball.
Health and Safety Rules in Netball: Conclusion
Netball is good physical exercise and a whole body workout. That means it can increase muscle tone and it may actually help in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Most netball players will burn 450 calories in an average session. Exercising also helps to improve mental health and general mood.
Social team sports like netball offer great networking opportunities. It offers you a chance to meet people, go places, and make new friends.
Netball Health and Safety Rules and Regulations