Worthy Blog Material

So, Grandma's in the living room mending my blazer, A-M is watching TV, Mom's asleep, Dad's on the computer and Katherine's in Africa. So it's all pretty normal around here (Except for the Katherine bit, obviously). My blog subject: Netball Game. After reading this, I have come to the conclusion that you need your brain switched ON to understand this...

Netball is basically basket ball except you can't bounce the ball - unless it's a bounce pass. So it was our last game of the year, firstly we had to do skills and we learned 'zone marking'. This is when, at the centre pass all of the defenders of one team huddle around the shooting circle. Then when the shooters of the opposing team (one always stays in the circle) try to get in the shooting circle the defenders try to block them out. This is the amusing part... All of the defenders move around the circle depending on which way other shooter is trying to get in. They are supposed to hold their arms above their heads and in the words of my teacher 'look aggressive.' The demonstration was hilarious because no one knew what they were doing and in the end the shooter is supposed to get so frustrated that they just barge into one of the defenders. But then they would be pulled up for contact. It's all very complicated

Then of course we all had to have a go ourselves.. I decided that sound effects were necessary for the attitude of being aggressive. So everyone in our group joined in. It was quite a site. With the wavy-arms-above-the-head and the groans and side stepping together with a shooter about to headbutt one of them. I thought I should share that with you.

Well, I get beaten up when there are sports including balls, by the balls. I remember one volleyball lesson I ducked because the ball was somewhere and got hit anyway, I got smacked in the face and two balls flew at me at once. I of course found it very amusing, as did my teacher. I think she felt sorry for me and raised my effort grade a little. Anyway, I am moving off the subject. Balls + Me = Comical Injuries. Except in netball. I'm good at netball. Netball is the one sport I can do...

So I'm partnered with one of my pals and of course she is A-MAZ-ING at netball, she's pretty tall. I end up in the shooting circle (as a defender) and the other one has been pulled up for contact therefore cannot move until a pass has been made. So it's up to me. Somehow the shooters pass to each other but they miss and it rolls off into my direction, but I still have to run and get it. Now, around the circle are other people trying to get the ball too, but they aren't allowed into the circle hence the standing around it. I dive for the ball before it gets to them, but then I recall skidding into them, then the ball somehow manages to rebound off my face and into the opposing teams hands. How it ended up going into my face, I have no idea. That's number 1.

Number 2: The centre pass. As a joke Annie, my tall, good at netball pal holds the back of my bib without me realizing as the whistle goes for the centre pass. Then I take a step in and want Sophie to pass to me so I yell 'SOPH-' I get pulled back and therefore choked so I can't finish her name. THEN Annie runs in front of me and catches the ball that was supposed to go to me. I was still going 'Huh? Wha? Hey wait a-' But EVERYONE heard my sort of strangled noise and saw Annie do this. So then Annie had to give the ball to me :-) And I think was told that 'violence is not the answer.' We gave each other fake evils and laughed at ourselves and the game carried on.

Number 3: Rebound! Annie was supposed to mark me and I was supposed to mark her, so when I found I wasn't with her I looked around for her and spotted her. I ran to her and had nearly reached her when the ball was being passed to her. So, being the amazing netball player that I am (...) I tried to intercept. Annie and I simultaneously jumped in the air, grabbed for the ball and we landed really close to each other. She managed to get the ball but because she was bigger, as we landed, I rebounded of her hip and went FLYING and landed on the floor, again. Then Annie got told off for violence again which I thought was quite funny. And then I got the ball again. Funny how them things work out, innit?

I just read this through and most of it doesn't make sense, so just try your best. I guess it's a sort of 'Had to be there' moments.