How Many Netballs Does a Team Need for Training?

The easiest way to spot an under-equipped netball session is not the number of players on court.

It is the queue.

Eight players waiting behind one passer.
 Shooters standing still while one ball gets collected.
 A PE class where half the group only touches the ball a few times before the drill changes.

That is when the number of netballs becomes more than a kit decision. It becomes a training-quality decision.

For a coach, teacher or club organiser, the question is not simply:

How many balls should we buy?

The better question is:

How many balls do we need so players are actually training, not waiting?

This HiPro Netball guide breaks down practical ball-number recommendations for individual players, small groups, club squads and school sessions. It also explains when to use training balls, match balls, ball bags, pumps and spare needles. 

Key Takeaways

For individual practice, one reliable training netball is enough to start.

For small groups of 3 to 6 players, 2 to 4 balls usually keeps drills active.

For club squads of 10 to 12 players, 6 to 10 training balls gives coaches more flexibility.

For school PE groups, aim for roughly one ball between every 2 to 3 students where budget allows.

Training balls and match balls should not do the same job. Training balls take the weekly workload. Match balls should stay in better condition for competition.

Ball bags, pumps and spare needles are not extras. They are the kit that keeps sessions moving. 

What’s on This Page

·         Why ball numbers change the session

·         How many netballs individual players need

·         How many netballs small groups need

·         How many netballs club teams need

·         How many netballs schools need

·         Training balls vs match balls

·         What size netball to buy

·         Ball bags, pumps and needles

·         Coach’s checklist before buying

·         FAQs about netballs for training 

Why Ball Numbers Change the Session

A coach can write a good drill on paper and still lose the session if the group does not have enough balls.

Take a simple passing drill with 12 players.

With one ball, the drill becomes a line. Most players are waiting, watching or switching off.

With four balls, the same group can split into smaller stations. Players pass more often, mistakes are corrected faster and the coach can actually see who needs help.

That is the practical difference.

Not more equipment for the sake of it. More active repetitions in the same amount of court time.

For schools, this matters even more. A PE class of 24 students with two balls will not feel like a netball lesson for most of the group. It will feel like waiting for a turn.

The right number of balls helps a session feel sharper, easier to manage and more useful for every player involved. 

How Many Netballs Does an Individual Player Need?

For one player, start with one good training netball.

That is enough for:

·         wall passing

·         ball handling

·         shooting practice

·         catching confidence

·         footwork and receive drills

·         home practice between sessions

This matters most for beginners. A player who only touches the ball once a week at team training is going to build confidence slowly. A player with a ball at home can get used to the weight, grip and feel of the ball before they step back onto court.

For shooters, a second ball can help if they practise often. It reduces the stop-start rhythm of collecting every shot and allows more repetition in a short space of time.

Player Type	Recommended Balls	Best Use
Beginner player	1 training ball	Home practice and confidence
Regular player	1 to 2 balls	Passing, shooting and handling
Shooter	2 balls if possible	More shooting repetition
Parent buying for a child	1 durable training ball	Practice between sessions

Recommended product type:
 A durable training netball in the correct size for the player’s age group. 

How Many Netballs Does a Small Group Need?

For a small group of 3 to 6 players, 2 to 4 netballs is usually a better setup than one ball shared by everyone.

This is where coaches can make training feel much more active without needing a full equipment cupboard.

For example, with 4 players and 2 balls, you can run:

·         two pairs passing at the same time

·         one pair passing while one pair shoots

·         a short receive-and-pivot drill with faster rotation

·         a catching drill where nobody waits too long

With one ball, the group can still train. But the rhythm is slower.

Group Size	Recommended Balls	Useful Setup
2 players	1 to 2 balls	Passing, catching and shooting
3 to 4 players	2 balls	Pair work and small drills
5 to 6 players	3 to 4 balls	Stations, passing lines and shooting rotation

A small group does not need lots of kit. It just needs enough balls to avoid dead time.

Recommended product type:
 A small set of training netballs, plus cones if the group is working on movement or footwork drills. 

How Many Netballs Does a Club Team Need?

For a club squad of 10 to 12 players, a good working range is 6 to 10 training netballs.

That gives the coach enough flexibility to split the group without every drill becoming one long line.

A 12-player squad with 8 balls can run a much better session than a 12-player squad with 2 balls. The coach can separate passing, shooting and movement work into smaller stations. Players get more meaningful repetition and the session feels less crowded.

Squad Size	Minimum Setup	Stronger Setup	Best Use
8 players	4 balls	6 balls	Small drills and shooting
10 players	5 balls	8 balls	Passing stations and rotations
12 players	6 balls	8 to 10 balls	Full squad training
14+ players	8 balls	10 to 12 balls	Larger group drills

A club should also separate training balls from match balls.

Training balls take the weekly workload. Match balls should be kept for game-day preparation and competition, not dragged through every warm-up, passing line and wet outdoor drill.

Recommended product type:
 6 to 10 durable training netballs for regular club sessions, plus separate match balls for match preparation. 

How Many Netballs Does a School Need?

Schools usually need more netballs than clubs because the groups are larger and the ability levels are mixed.

A club coach might be working with 10 or 12 players. A PE teacher might have 24 or 30 students, some confident, some brand new, some waiting to understand the rules.

In that environment, ball numbers matter.

A useful target is one ball between every 2 to 3 students, where budget allows.

Class Size	Basic Setup	Stronger Setup	Why It Helps
10 to 12 students	4 balls	6 balls	Simple pair work and small drills
15 to 18 students	6 balls	8 balls	Less waiting between turns
20 to 24 students	8 balls	10 to 12 balls	Better rotation and more active lessons
25 to 30 students	10 balls	12 to 15 balls	Easier station-based training

For a class of 24 students, 8 to 12 balls gives the teacher far more options. They can split the class into passing stations, shooting groups, movement drills and small-sided games without most of the class standing still.

Schools also need to think about durability. School balls get used by different year groups, moved between storage areas, carried outside, dropped, borrowed and sometimes left in less-than-perfect conditions.

That is why everyday school balls should be chosen for regular use, not just match-day feel.

Recommended product type:
 A set of durable training netballs, a ball bag for storage and a pump with spare needles kept with the PE kit. 

Training Balls vs Match Balls: Where Teams Waste Money

One of the easiest ways to wear out good netballs is to use match balls for every drill.

Match balls are usually bought for feel, grip and game-day performance. They should be used for match preparation, shooting rhythm and competition.

Training balls have a different job. They are there to take the weekly workload: passing lines, school lessons, shooting stations, warm-ups and beginner drills.

A better kit setup is not one expensive ball used for everything. It is a split system.

Ball Type	Best Use	Why It Matters
Training netball	Weekly drills, schools, club practice	Handles repeated use and keeps sessions active
Match netball	Competition and match preparation	Better feel and grip for game-like play
Size 4 netball	Younger primary players	Easier handling for smaller hands
Size 5 netball	11+ players, secondary, club and senior netball	Standard full-size netball

Most senior and standard netball is played with a size 5 ball. Size 4 is commonly used for younger players, although exact age guidance can vary by programme or competition. Net World Sports lists size 4 for children aged 10 and under, while other guides commonly place size 5 from around age 11 upwards.

For schools and clubs, the safest approach is simple: check your age group or league requirements before buying, especially for junior sessions. 

What Size Netball Should You Buy?

For most secondary school, club and senior netball, choose a size 5 netball.

For younger primary players, a size 4 netball is often more suitable because it is smaller and easier to handle.

Player Group	Common Ball Size
Younger primary players, often around 10 and under	Size 4
11+ players, secondary school, club and senior netball	Size 5

Size 4 balls help younger players learn catching and passing without struggling with a full-size ball too early. Size 5 balls are the standard for older juniors, secondary players and adult netball.

Always check your school, league or competition requirements before buying for junior age groups. 

Ball Bags, Pumps and Needles: The Kit That Saves Time

Balls are only useful if they are ready.

A coach arriving with 10 netballs is not much better off if 3 are flat, 2 are missing and the rest are loose in the back of a car.

That is why the support kit matters.

A proper setup should include:

·         a ball bag

·         a pump

·         spare needles

·         a storage place

·         a simple count-in, count-out habit

Ball bags

A ball bag makes transport easier and reduces the chance of balls going missing.

For club coaches, it keeps training organised between venues. For schools, it gives PE staff a simple way to store and count equipment.

Pumps and spare needles

Flat balls slow down sessions.

The pump should live with the balls, not in a different cupboard or someone’s car. Spare needles matter because one broken needle can leave several balls unusable for the session.

Recommended product type:
 A 5-ball or 10-ball carry bag, plus a hand pump and spare needles stored inside the bag. 

Netball Setup by Group Size

Use this as a quick planning guide.

Group Type	Recommended Balls	Extra Kit Worth Adding
Individual player	1 ball	Pump if practising often
Pair training	1 to 2 balls	Cones for movement drills
Small group, 3 to 6 players	2 to 4 balls	Cones and bibs
Club squad, 10 to 12 players	6 to 10 balls	Bibs, ball bag, pump
School class, 20 to 30 students	10 to 15 balls	Multiple bib sets, markers, storage
Match squad	Training balls plus match balls	Separate match ball storage

This is not about overbuying. It is about matching the kit to the session.

A school class, a shooter practising alone and a club squad of 12 do not need the same setup. 

Coach’s Checklist Before Buying Netballs

Before buying netballs for a player, school or club, ask these questions:

·         How many players are usually training at once?

·         Are the balls for individual practice, PE lessons, club training or match day?

·         What age group are the players?

·         Do you need size 4, size 5 or both?

·         Will the balls be used indoors, outdoors or both?

·         How many drills need to run at the same time?

·         Are players currently waiting too long between turns?

·         Do you need training balls, match balls or both?

·         Do you have a ball bag for transport and storage?

·         Do you have a pump and spare needles?

·         How often will the balls be used each week?

This checklist helps avoid two common problems: buying too few balls, or buying the wrong type of ball for the way the session actually runs. 

Example Training Setups

Individual player

A beginner or regular player practising outside team training can start with:

·         1 training netball

·         1 pump if practising often

·         access to a wall, post or safe open space

Best for: confidence, ball handling, shooting and catching practice.

Small group of 4 players

A small group can run a strong session with:

·         2 training netballs

·         4 cones

·         1 post if shooting is included

Best for: pair passing, short movement drills and shooting rotation.

Club squad of 12 players

A club coach will usually get more from:

·         8 training netballs

·         1 or 2 match balls kept separate

·         bibs

·         cones or markers

·         ball bag

·         pump and spare needles

Best for: weekly training, station work, shooting rhythm and match preparation.

School class of 24 students

A practical PE setup would be:

·         8 to 12 training netballs

·         2 sets of bibs

·         cones or flat markers

·         ball bags

·         pump and spare needles

Best for: beginner lessons, group rotations and station-based drills. 

Common Mistakes When Buying Netballs

Buying for the team size, not the session

A team of 12 does not automatically need 12 balls. But it probably needs more than 2.

Think about how the coach wants to run the session. If there are passing stations, shooting groups and movement drills happening at the same time, the kit needs to support that.

Using match balls for everyday training

Match balls should not be the first ball grabbed for every warm-up drill.

Use training balls for volume work and save match balls for competition-style practice.

Forgetting age groups

Junior players may need size 4 balls, while older players usually use size 5. Buying one size for everyone can create problems in school or mixed-age environments.

Forgetting the pump

A flat ball turns a good session into a delay.

Keep the pump and spare needles with the ball bag.

No storage system

Loose balls are easier to lose. A simple ball bag and count-in habit can save money over the season. 

FAQs About Netballs for Training

How many netballs does a team need for training?

A club team of 10 to 12 players usually works well with 6 to 10 training netballs. This allows the coach to run passing, shooting and movement drills without long queues.

How many netballs does a school need?

For school PE, a useful target is one ball between every 2 to 3 students where budget allows. For a class of 20 to 24 students, around 8 to 12 netballs is a strong setup.

Does every player need their own netball?

For team training, no. Players can work in pairs or small groups. For individual practice at home, one personal training netball is useful.

What is the difference between a training netball and a match netball?

Training netballs are used for regular drills, school lessons and repeated practice. Match netballs are usually kept for competition and match preparation because they are chosen for feel, grip and game-day performance.

Should clubs keep match balls separate?

Yes. Clubs should keep match balls separate from everyday training balls so they stay in better condition for match day.

What size netball should I buy?

For most secondary, club and senior netball, choose size 5. For younger primary players, size 4 is often more suitable. Exact age requirements can vary, so check school, league or competition guidance before buying.

Do coaches need a ball bag?

Yes. A ball bag makes it easier to carry, store and count netballs before and after training. It also keeps the pump and spare needles in one place.

How do you stop school netballs from going missing?

Use a ball bag, count balls before and after each session and store them in one clear place. Labelling school or club balls can also help. 

Final Thoughts

The right number of netballs depends on how the session is actually run.

One player can start with one ball.
 A small group needs enough balls to avoid dead time.
 A club squad needs a training set, not just a match ball.
 A school class needs enough equipment to stop PE becoming a queue.

That is the real buying decision.

Not “how many balls look enough in the cupboard?”
 But “how many balls will keep this group active on court?”

For players, schools and clubs, the right setup means cleaner sessions, better repetition and less wasted time.

Build the session before the whistle.

Shop training netballs, match balls, ball bags, pumps and team equipment at HiProNetball.com.