Netball: Short and sharp will test Ferns

Most of the teams go into the World Series with limited preparation time, so it is likely to be those who can think on their feet who will have the most success. Photo / Getty Images

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken believes this weekend's World Netball Series will test her side mentally as much as it will physically.

The competition, which has been dubbed netball's version of Twenty20 cricket, begins in Manchester tomorrow and introduces a shortened, faster version of the game for the first time.

Organised by the international netball body IFNA, the series promises cut-down games with fewer stoppages.

The World Series will be contested by the top six netball nations - Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Samoa and Malawi - with the matches to be played over four six-minute quarters.

Running substitutions are allowed and teams can capitalise on one bonus point powerplay quarter.

The coaches will elect their six minutes of powerplay when all scored points are doubled with the push of a courtside control button.

Aitken said although the rule changes might not please the netball purists among us, the series would be a refreshing change for the players and provide a great mental challenge.

"I think it will be quite positive. It's something different and I think the players are looking forward to it with a bit of sparkle because we've been playing the same thing for a wee while now," she said.

"I think it's good to challenge them in terms of the way they look at the game and I think that it's about being able to be smart about what we're doing as well."

Aitken believes that with most of the teams going into the event with limited preparation time, it will be the teams who can adapt the fastest and think on their feet who will have the most success at the tournament.

Before leaving for Britain the Silver Ferns were given video footage of an exhibition match played in England last year and reading material on the rules.

But it wasn't until this week that the New Zealand side experienced playing under the new rules, simulating match conditions in their trainings in Manchester.

"They needed to look at how these new rules impact on the game and how do our strategies need to be slightly different?

"How do you make decisions about two points versus one point? When do you take your power play? Those sorts of things are something that we haven't had to think about before and different thoughts can be quite stimulating."

Likewise, there is plenty for the coaching staff to get their head around. The coach from each team signals which quarter they take their powerplay, while the use of rolling substitutions opens up unlimited opportunities to use the bench.

Aitken said she was still working on strategies to best take advantage of the rolling substitutions.

"Quite frankly, in a six-minute quarter it's kind of challenging to think how you do use rolling subs in that time, or whether you need to."

Silver Ferns team to play World Netball Series: Casey Williams (captain), Temepara George (vice-captain), Liana Barrett-Chase, Katrina Grant, Paula Griffin, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Wendy Telfer, Anna Thompson, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Larrissa Willcox.

THE FAST NET RULES
* The two shooters may shoot from inside or outside of the goal circle. All successful goals from outside the goal circle will be worth two goal points.
* Each team will elect one quarter as a power play when any goals scored will be doubled. The elected power play quarter must be notified by the coach before the quarter begins. In power play, goals from outside the circle will be worth four goal points.
* Matches will be four quarters of six minutes duration with two-minute breaks (full matches have four-minute quarter breaks with 10 minutes at halftime).
* Rolling Substitutions. An unlimited number of rolling substitutions per team per quarter is allowed. Each team may make any number of rolling substitutions at any one time. A rolling substitute may enter the game while play is in progress. There will be a designated substitution box at each transverse line, and located next to the coaching area, where rolling substitutes shall wait, holding up a substitution paddle indicating the players to be substituted. Team changes may not be made during a rolling substitution, as the game is not stopped.
* After a goal is scored, the game restarts with a centre pass taken by the team who conceded the last goal. The captain winning the toss chooses end or first centre pass at the start of the first and third quarter. The other team will have first centre pass at the start of the second and fourth quarter.
* There is no umpire whistle after a goal is scored.
* Coaches will be allowed to coach from the team bench or coaching area, located in front of their team bench.
* All stoppages for injury will be 30 seconds.

TV ONE COVERAGE

Tomorrow
6am-9.30am

10.45pm-1am

Monday - Finals
12.15am-5am