How to Support Our Take Off Leagues

Our Take Off leagues are where many of our players begin their Flyt journey. For most, it’s their first time stepping back onto a court since school. They may remember a few basics, but confidence, timing, movement, and spatial awareness all take time to develop. This is where our umpires play a crucial role.

The aim in Take Off isn’t just to officiate — it’s to support, guide, and keep the game safe while helping players fall back in love with netball. And above all, it’s about having fun. As long as the game is safe, fair, and consistent, our goal is to make sure everyone on court is enjoying themselves and building positive memories.

Below is our approach for helping players build confidence week by week, while keeping safety and fun at the heart of everything we do.

The Overriding Message for Take Off Officiating

In Take Off leagues, the focus is on:

✔️ Safety✔️ Steady pace✔️ Clear explanations✔️ Fun for all players

Playing Advantage

Playing advantage is handled carefully in Take Off:

Weeks 1–4:Umpires do not play advantage initially. Early in the season, stopping play to explain and guide players is key for learning and safety.

After Week 4:If the umpire is confident, advantage can be introduced gradually. This should always be explained to the teams so they understand what it means and that they do not have to stop unless they hear the whistle.

We believe that by playing advantage once players are feeling more confident, the game begins to flow better. It also helps players recognise what they are doing well, so they can start to tidy up their play.

The result? Safer, smoother games that are still super fun.

Understanding Our Players

Most Take Off players:

• Are returning to netball for the first time in years• May only remember basic concepts from school• Are excited but often nervous• Need reassurance and guidance during their first season

The first few months carry the highest injury risk, largely due to:

• Lack of controlled movement• Limited awareness of space• Eagerness to chase down loose balls• Over-enthusiasm without the footwork or balance to support it

This is why our umpires’ calm guidance and consistent messaging are essential.

When we slow the game down, reinforce the fundamentals, and stop unsafe play early, we keep everyone protected — and ensure players build strong, safe habits for their journey through Flyt.

How We Support Our Take Off Players: Week by Week

Weeks 1–2: Learning the Basics

In the first two weeks, everything is about giving players the foundations they need.

Umpires should focus on:

🔹 Where to startHelping players understand positioning at centre pass, throw-ins, and restarts.

🔹 Court positioningExplaining where each position can and can’t go — this alone prevents a huge amount of confusion.

🔹 How to take a throw-inGuiding players through foot placement, stepping behind the line, and safe passing angles.

🔹 Free Pass vs Penalty PassClarifying the difference early helps set players up for success later in the season.

During these early weeks, take your time. Blow early, explain brief points, and reinforce safe play over speed — and remember, fun comes from confidence, not chaos.

Weeks 3–9: Skill of the Week

From week 3 onwards, we introduce Skill of the Week — practical, safety-focused skills designed to help players develop controlled movement, reduce collision risks, and improve spatial awareness.

Week 3 – Obstruction

This week is all about getting to know what 3ft looks like. We encourage players to move back and gain a good distance. We do not take them out of play, but instead allow them to position correctly and play on.

Week 4 – Contact

Explain what contact looks like, i.e. the effect on the body or ball. We give proactive advice during games about leaving enough room off the body and how to use the outside arm to avoid unnecessary contact.

Week 5 – Finding Space

This is crucial to reduce crowding. Stop play when crowding is happening and ask players to find a space and not necessarily go for that immediate pass, but rather to wait for the second or third pass and take their opposition with them out of play.

Week 6 & 7 – Footwork

Explain how footwork happened, i.e. dragged, hopped, or moved landing foot. Advice would be to try and slow down and use a double-footed landing to gain more control.

Week 8 – Repossession / Replaying

Explain at the start of the game what this looks like and how it happens. When this occurs during the game, try to give a demonstration to all players of what happened and why that instance was blown.

Week 9 – Held Ball

This is the last rule we introduce, as we would rather the players hold the ball longer to make a better decision, avoid injuries, and encourage better gameplay.

The league coordinator will introduce each week’s skill to the group, and we strongly encourage umpires to support and reinforce these skills during match play.

Umpires can help by:

✔️ Pausing unsafe play and using it as a quick learning moment✔️ Encouraging players when they use the weekly skill correctly✔️ Reminding players to slow down and think about space, timing, and body control✔️ Introducing advantage gradually after week 4, explaining it clearly to players and using it to encourage flow and learning

This combined approach — coordinator guidance + umpire reinforcement — accelerates learning and builds safer habits, all while making sure games are enjoyable for everyone.

Keeping It Safe… and Still Super Fun

Fun is at the heart of our Take Off seasons, but fun only continues when players feel safe, supported, and confident.

By focusing on:

☑️ Clear communication ☑️Stopping rather than playing advantage initially• ☑️Gradually introducing advantage when players are ready• ☑️Reinforcing safe skills• ☑️Managing tempo• ☑️Understanding player anxieties• ☑️Encouraging learning moments

…we help players enjoy netball without fear of injuries or confusion — and ensure every match is fun, fair, and full of smiles.

Our umpires are essential in shaping confident, safe, and empowered players who will eventually soar into higher leagues with stronger skills and bigger smiles.

Thank you for everything you do for our flock.

Your consistency, patience, and guidance make all the difference