Selection and Deselection Policy for Netball

This document sets out the selection and deselection process for inclusion in the performance programme squad for Netball.

This does not cover selection for an individual event, team or match as that is at the professional judgment of the Lead Coach or Director for that sport. 

Performance Athlete Code of Conduct statement: 

I understand for selection to the squad I will need to demonstrate that I have the appropriate and necessary skills and commitment, and that my performance, fitness and lifestyle are at the required level. I understand that selection involves complex judgements about the attributes of individuals and their potential contribution to a team or squad. 

Selection Process to the Netball Squad: 

Selection is the responsibility of the Head Coach for the performance programme. 

These criteria will be used to select athletes to the squad. Selection decisions should be fair, transparent and equitable. 

Selection Criteria 

Whenever selecting Athletes for the Netball Programme or any of the BUCS Competition Squads, the relevantSelection Panel (under the Membership of Selection Panels section below) shall use the following as a guide to support decisions; the positional specific criteria, movement & ball skills; game sense; Effectiveness in position/Transition into defence/attack. (See Appendix 1). 

The panel will also consider ‘other factors’ listed below within their final selection decisions. 

Factors considered 

Other factors considered will include: 

  1. Coachability: understands expectations, can apply learning and make changes in a positive manner
  2. Demonstrates ‘team’ qualities and ‘fit’ within the team culture and ethos
  3. State of fitness, health and wellbeing
  4. Positional balance within team
  5. Succession planning
  6. Number of fixtures on the annual calendar
  7. Current form or performance of existing team members
  8. Balance of experience and youth
  9. Nature of the competition the team is being selected for
  10. Whether an Athlete’s performance and/or contribution has been affected by extenuating circumstances such asillness, injury, bereavement, parental leave, work/study commitments or similar which have temporarily compromised their form and/or recent contribution.
  11. Athlete potential for future

Consideration may also be given to any other such factors that the Selection Panel considers in its sole discretion to be relevant and appropriate to the overall assessment of a particular player. 

Membership of Selection Panels 

BUCS and Competition Squads: 

  • Head Netball Coach, or their delegate drawn from the Coaching Team (one vote)
  • Relevant Head Coach (one vote)
  • Chair of If Chair is also represented under one of the roles above only one vote is permitted (one vote).

Where a large number of athletes are trialling on multiple courts, a team of selectors may be used to gather information against the selection criteria and present this information to the above people for consideration. 

Review Process 

The University Head Netball Coach will review this Selection Policy on an annual basis in consultation with the coaching team. The Director of Netball must approve proposed changes to this Selection Policy. Any amendments to this Selection Policy must be given in writing to the Athletes, Head Coaches and other Selection Panel members and other key stakeholders. This Selection Policy (including any final variations or amendments) will be made available to all Athletes on request and will also be available on the website. 

If an athlete is not happy with the selection decisions these steps may be taken: 

A. Non-selection

  1. If an athlete is not selected, they may seek honest and constructive feedback from the Director of and/or Head Coach in the first instance.
  2. If the athlete believes the sport has not followed due process, they may refer their non-selection to a member of the Performance Leadership Team: Neil Greig (J.Greig@lboro.ac.uk) or Mark Jarram (M.Jarram@lboro.ac.uk).
  3. Information will be gathered from the Director of and/or Head Coach and the athlete. The matter will then be reviewed by members of the Performance Leadership Team who are not directly involved in the performance programme.

B. Deselection from the squad

  1. The Director of and/or Head Coach will inform the athlete of the reasons for deselection, based on the criteria set out for the relevant sport.
  2. The athlete can expect honest and constructive feedback, including what would be required for them to be considered for selection
  3. If the athlete believes the sport has not followed due process, they may refer their deselection to a member of the Performance Leadership Team: Neil Greig (J.Greig@lboro.ac.uk) or Mark Jarram (M.Jarram@lboro.ac.uk).
  4. Information will be gathered from the Director of and/or Head Coach and the athlete. The matter will then be reviewed by members of the Performance Leadership Team who are not directly involved in that performance programme.

C. Appeal

  1. If an athlete believes the selection or deselection process has not been followed correctly, they may appeal to the Performance Director.
  2. Information will be gathered from the Director of and/or Head Coach and the athlete. The appeal will be reviewed by the Performance Director and the Director of Sport.

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/students/handbook/equal-opportunities/

 

APPENDIX 1 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

Whenever selecting Players for BUCS Programme, at any level, the Selection Panel shall use the below as a guide in all Screening activities: 

  1. Evidence of Skill or Quality
  2. Demonstrate Consistency
  3. Demonstrate Under Pressure
  4. Demonstrate in Multiple Context with Consistency

When selecting athletes for BUCS programmes, at any level, the Selection Panel shall use the core playing competencies, personal qualities and other considerations listed below as a guide in all Screening activities:

  • Movement and Ball Skills Criteria 
  • Game sense Criteria 
  • Roles and Responsibilities Criteria 

MOVEMENT & BALL SKILLS CRITERIA  

Catch

  • Ability to take the ball on full extension
  • Stability and balance on receiving the ball

Pass

  • Release point
  • Single handed and two-handed delivery
  • Ball placement across a variety of distances

Turning Efficiency

  • Turning quickly and fully from both sides

Movement skills

  • Application of zero phase and preliminary movement
  • Angels and efficiency of movement

GAME SENSE CRITERIA 

ATTACK 

DEFENCE 

BEHAVIOURS 

Transition 

Transition 

Creativity 

Width/Depth 

Winning Ball 

Patience 

Options/Choices 

Working Together 

Relentlessness 

Ball Side 

Maintaining Possession 

Delay / Deny Opportunity 

Leadership 

 

GOAL KEEPER 

Restrict shooting opportunities for GS 

Dictate movement of shooter and confuse space for feeders. Tight 1 on 1 marking using front side and back positions. Dictate movement of shooter to prevent circle re-entry 

Deliver pass and be available in attack 

Pass from a static position and from moving to a static or moving player accurately up to a distance of 1/2 the court. Accuracy of pass to player moving to and away from the ball carrier. Continue to provide backup options throughout 

Effective defence of the shot 

Be aware of shooters shooting action and position in the circle, be able to use a variety of defensive techniques to mark the shot. Jump, Lean and from varying different angles. Understanding of using double defence on shot (cannon) 

Gain possession through interceptions and rebounds 

Attack the line of the ball, boxing out to provide good rebound opportunities. Angle body to see CC and recognise opportunities to intercept 

Work in partnership with GD 

Switch appropriately in the circle with the GD. Dictate shooter movement in relation to teammate. Passing - decision making, long ball accuracy, contested delivery (second stage defence) 

Movement - options on the through court, reading off, re-set laterally, balance with forward option 

Timing - decision making, 'cherish or punish' - particularly on live turnover option transition ball, angles, change of pace/direction 

Defence - body angles to protect space, through court delivery, 'defend the defenders', recognise offload; think about 2nd phase 

GOAL DEFENCE 

Restrict possession and dictate circle entry of GA 

Tight 1 on 1 marking using front side and back positions. Dictate movement of GA in relation to ball, GS and other defenders 

Support through court attack and be available for back line pass. 

Attack through court, losing defenders 1 on 1, moving into appropriate space. Pass from a static position and from moving to a static or moving player accurately up to a distance of 1/2 the court. Be aware of teammates and how to create space others. Availability for back up on attacking 1/3 line 

Gain possession both outside and inside circle including at centre pass 

Take interceptions at first phase of CP. Dictating to opponent to create and take interceptions, attacking line of the ball Boxing out to provide good rebound opportunities. Body Angles to see CC and recognise opportunities to intercept 

Effective defence of shot 

Be aware of shooters shooting action and position in the circle Be able to use a variety of defensive techniques to mark the shot. Jump, Lean and from varying different angles. Understanding of using double defence on shot (cannon) 

Make quick transitions between attack and defence and vice versa 

Quick recovery and transition into an effective defending position Quick transition into attack to provide an appropriate option 

Work in partnership with GK/centre court 

Switch appropriately in the circle with the GD Dictate shooter movement in relation to teammate Use of CC to cover/delay ball to GA 

 

Match Play: Roles and Responsibilities Criteria 

WING DEFENCE 

Effective defence at centre pass 

Take interceptions at first phase of CP Use of 1 on 1 marking to limit receipts (1st and 2nd phase) Switching on 2nd phase and in end 1/3 

Gain possession by forcing errors, closing off space and intercepting 

Attacking the path of the ball after tracking Dictating to opponent to creating interception opportunities Dictate to opponent to keep off the circle edge and limit feeding opportunities Stage 2 defence 

Support through court attack and be available for back line pass and on attacking line. 

Attack through court, losing defenders 1 on 1, moving into appropriate space Pass from a static position and from moving to a static or moving player accurately up to a distance of 1/2 the court. Be aware of teammates and how to create space for others Availability for back up on attacking 1/3 line 

Make quick transitions between attack and defence and vice versa 

Quick recovery and transition into an effective defending position Quick transition into attack to provide an appropriate option 

Work in partnership with centre in defending third 

Dictate player movement relation to teammate. Switching with C in goal 1/3 and at CP 

CENTRE 

Deliver centre pass effectively 

Consistency of delivery/accuracy. 

Tight defence of opposing centre 

Quick recovery and transition into an effective defending position Dictating movement of opponent to creating interception opportunities Dictate to opponent to keep off the circle edge and limit feeding opportunities Stage 2 defence 

Maintain possession - combining with WA to deliver ball to shooters 

Variety of passing skills off both sides awareness of where to pass and weight of pass - e.g. away from the defenders Get around Stage 2 defence 

Work in partnership with WD at centre pass and in defending third 

Dictate player movement relation to teammate Switching with C in goal 1/3 and at CP Quick positioning on defence after scoring 

WING ATTACK 

Be available for centre pass 

Getting free 1 on 1 and 2 on 1. 

Maintain possession and effective and accurate feeding of circle 

Accuracy and variety of passing skills off both sides awareness of where to pass and weight of pass - e.g. away from the defenders Get around Stage 2 defence 

Availability on and around the circle edge in relation to teammates 

Losing defenders to arrive at circle free repositioning after pass/non-receipt 

Tight defence of WD 

1 on 1 defence of WD Quick recovery and transition into an effective defending position Stage 2 defence Dictating to opponent to creating interception opportunities 

Work in partnership with GA 

Creating width and depth in attack Availability for 1st and 2nd phase of CP Work with GA in defence of CP and backlines 

GOAL ATTACK 

Accuracy of shot 

Sound technique 

Use of step shot - left, right, back. Shooting Accuracy of 80% 

Available in circle and attacking third 

Getting free 1 on 1 Getting free 2 on 1 particularly at CP, and in confined space Reposition/re-offering 

Work in partnership with WA and GS including accurate feeding 

Creating width and depth in attack Passing accurately to open up circle. 

Availability for 1st and 2nd phase of centre pass. Work with WA/GS in defence of backlines. 

 

 

Work with WA in defence of centre pass. Passing accurately to open up circle. 

GOAL SHOOTER 

Accuracy of shot 

Sound technique. 

Use of step shot - left, right, back. Shooting Accuracy of 80% 

Availability in circle in a 1:1 situation 

Availability in front and backspace. Can demonstrate a strong hold and or/shooter rotation 

Work in partnership with GA, in and out of the circle, including accurate feeding 

Shooter to shooter availability Passing accurately to open up circle Awareness of GA and working together to overload defenders Work with GA in defence of backlines to overload defenders. 

Effective defence of back line pass 

1 on 1 defence Stage 2 defence Early set up