Why Pre‑Season Prep Matters
Pre‑season sets the tone for your netball season—boosting fitness, reducing injuries, and sharpening skills. Research shows netball’s sudden stop‑start, jumping and pivoting make it a high‑risk sport for ankle and knee injuries. Conditioned strength, agility and proper equipment are your best defence.
Your Must‑Have Kit
1. A Quality Netball
Choose a durable, high‑grip ball like Gilbert’s [button] or [button] models—ideal for both indoor and outdoor sessions. Train with one you’d use in match conditions and ensure it’s inflated to 10 psi using a stirrup pump (not a compressor) to preserve bounce performance.
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2. Trainer or Match Netballs
Consider having two balls: one dedicated to training (e.g. APT Training) and a match‑quality ball like the Pulse or one of Gilbert's England Netball/Supporter editions for game scenarios.
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3. Netball‑Specific Shoes
Sports footwear designed for lateral support, cushioning and traction is vital. Proper footwear helps reduce strain on ankles and knees during high‑impact movement.
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4. Bibs & Teamwear
Train in your own set of bibs so positions are clear from day one. Matches also require bibs with printed front and back identifiers.
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5. Warm‑Up Gear
A breathable layering top, such as the pro synergie warm up top helps keep muscles warm before drills and cool down comfortably post‑training.
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6. Bag & Accessories
You’ll need a sturdy hold‑all or rucksack to carry your gear, pumps, spare laces and water bottle. Gilbert offers ball sacks, rucksacks and holdalls built for netball life
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7. Pump & Inflation Toolkit
A Gilbert stirrup pump with gauge and needle adaptors is a training room essential for maintaining optimal pressure reliably.
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Pre‑Season Protocol
Stretch, Strengthen & Condition
Focus your early sessions on building lower‑body power, agility, core strength and flexibility. These properties underpin effective play and help prevent common injuries like sprains and ACL tears.
Warm‑Up & Cool‑Down
Never skip dynamic warm‑ups before training and cool‑downs after. At least 10 minutes of running, agility movements and mobility work helps prepare the body and reduce stiffness or injury risk.
Equipment Maintenance
Clean your netball regularly with soapy water and dry thoroughly. After use, store it in a dry, moderate environment - avoid extreme heat or damp situations to retain bounce and material integrity. Check out our ball care guide here
Sample Pre‑Season Checklist
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Training ball + spare match ball | Consistent practice and match simulation |
| Pump & needle adaptors | Keeps both balls at optimum pressure |
| Netball shoes | Supports dynamic movement and injury prevention |
| Bibs for each position | Clear roles in training |
| Warm‑Up top | Keeps body temperature regulated |
| Kit bag & water bottle | Ready for training essentials |
| Flexibility & strengthening plan | Injury resilience and game readiness |
Whether you’re a coach, club organiser or player, consistency and preparation translate into success on the court.
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