The two-goal Super Shot is here and the opinions of the players, coaches, netball media community and fans have been coming in thick and fast.
Here's just some of the views, both positive and negative, shared by current players and coaches, former players and netball community and the fans.
Current players and coaches
Chelsea Pitman on Twitter
“And when the season starts, we will all be chasing those wins so just got to see who best adapts to these new rules and implements then into their game plan and style. If anything 2020 has taught us, it’s to be adaptable!”
Simone McKinnis for Melbourne Vixens website
“Generally, I am not a fan of it [these types of rule changes] but if that’s the decision that’s been made then we just get on with it. I’m rapt with the addition of extra time… That’s really good. I’m not a two-point shot fan, but as I said, we get on with it.”
Sam Wallace in The Trinadad and Tobago Guardian
"For me, it's not a problem and I don't mind one bit... I don't think it's a bad idea or should be big of a deal because it will provide teams who are losing a match with a chance to catch up by scoring their two-goals attempts, making a one-sided encounter much more interesting."
Nat Medhurst for ESPN
"That was an element that was also aired amongst the playing group, it's a big concern, where is our sport actually going, are we creating something that's completely different to anything that's being played around the country or overseas.”
Stacey Marinkovich on Twitter
"Well this was a surprise. What a year it’s turning out to be..... unique and unprecedented moments happening all the time!! Time to get working on this implementation to the gameplan!"
Kylee Byrne for Sunshine Coast Lightning website
"My final personal opinion is that when our season is thrilling, captivating and exciting it won’t be because of one rule, it will be because of the athleticism, skill and finesse of our amazing athletes to deliver a world class “product”.
Sophie Garbin in the Daily Telegraph
“With other women’s sports coming into the light, I think we definitely need to … I think we should give it a try, and if it doesn’t work we can just go back to normal. But if it does, it could be a whole new world of possibilities for us.”
Jo Weston for Melbourne Vixens website
“This is the last thing teams need after all that’s happened so far this year. I mean it’s fine for the Vixens as we have long-range shooters, so it really doesn’t change too much for us, but what about other teams who don’t? To have it [the two-point shot] as a once off in the bushfire match is fine, but that was a one-off match when it was the Diamonds versus the best in the world. However, as disappointing as it is, the decision's been made now, so we've got to just get back to focusing on training and the job we've got to do as a team on court."
Rob Wright in club statement
“The reasoning behind the addition is really sound – it will grow Super Netball’s non-traditional audience which in turn creates greater interest for the game as we go into a new broadcast negotiation. Now is the time to be innovative. I’m a traditionalist but open to looking for opportunities to enhance our game. We will need to rethink our strategy around the ‘Super Shot’ period of every quarter and this will be reviewed in coming training sessions,”
Cara Koenen for carakoenen.com
"I think that the implementation of a 2-point shot has the ability to change the fundamental strategies which underpin netball and, as someone who fell in love with the game as it is, I am not on board."
Ex-players and netball community
Sharni Layton on Twitter
“There’s something Netball hasn’t done enough of in its history – and that is take risks. I already want to watch to see how this turns out! For once out sport has controversy.. and I LOVE IT!”
Brittany Mitchell on Twitter
“I wonder if they thought through the potential issue that this could make netball boring. GA takes ball at top of circle, GS stands under hoop, GA shoots, it either goes in or GS takes rebound under post… rinse, repeat.”
Liz Ellis on Twitter
“There are so many players in the game who have the ability to score long – so let’s reward them. Seeing a player take a risk for a big reward is exciting.”
Noeline Taurua for Stuff
“I don't feel we need to tinker with it and can just leave the variation to a Fast5 concept, which will bring something totally different. I do like the two-point shots, but I like it with the Fast5 version and I like the game to be kept separate. I like things to be kept separate and very clear what the purpose is about.”
Ameliaranna Ekenasio for RNZ
“I know a lot of people aren't very happy about it but for me I think that if we continue to keep evolving our game then that's a good place to be. I think it's a step in the right direction... It's definitely making changes, and kind of making waves in the netball scene, which potentially we haven't seen netball change for a long long long time so I think it's cool."
Cath Cox on 9 Sport Sunday
"Initially, I was not on board.because, to me, it just resembles too much of getting towards the basketball side of things. And when it's been played before in trial games, it does tend to get messy."
Bianca Chatfield on Twitter
“As much as it’s a shock for everyone, I’m intrigued/excited to see how defenders tactically prepare for it & how attackers intend to take advantage of it!”
Megan Maurice on Twitter
“It changes the tactics of defenders – from trying to keep their player further out, to trying to push them further in, which is then another adjustment to be made when internationals come around.”
Anne Sargeant for Nine Netball
“The Super Shot gives the coaches and the players in our game an exciting opportunity to reset the way they think about the most effective way to win a netball game. There's no mandate to use it, it's simply an option. But wouldn't it be great if that option breathed new life into the long bomb? Instead of fearing the introduction of the rule we should all be bracing for the rush of excitement we'll feel watching our brilliant shooters nail a last-second long-shot to win a match.”
Liz Ellis for Sydney Morning Herald
“There is the distinct possibility of games getting scrappy as teams pass the ball backwards into the two point zone, with missed shots as more and more risks are taken. The other issue may be that instead of allowing teams who are trailing to catch up, it may be that an already superior team can pile on the points for a bigger winning margin.”
Netball fans on social media
Sarah James
“For me this is a brilliant move. This will hopefully make games more entertaining and not just have tall shooters just staying under the post. Watching Australia lead the way.”
Lisa James
“This is a rule that should be left in Fast5, charity matches and the like. Like the rolling sub. Impractical to say the least. Our elite players should be playing and modelling the game for all up and coming players. Not playing a different game all together.”
Caitlin Davies
“For me the worst part is the 10min + 5min split of the quarters. Either go all in or not at all.”
Rhonda Hills
“Some of the most exciting moves we see in a game of netball are the circle feeds, the quick passing in the circle for close in shots at goals, the pressure applied by close checking defenders and also the goalers who are skilled at putting up the long shots. Why change just for the sake of change. We have these initiatives I the fast 5 – leave the traditional game alone please.”
Lorna Belford
“I’m for it! There was a lot of backlash when basketball brought in the 3 pointer but they have never looked back. Sport doesn’t have to stay the same, embrace the change and let the sport evolve.”
Rachel Wilkinson
“Why change something that works. We look forward to Fast 5 as a different way to play netball once a year.”
Sammy G
“Personally as a shooter myself I like the idea of it. I think it would make it more exciting & contest for rebounds would be good. Though I don’t think it should be the last 5mins of each quarter I think it should be through the whole game. Long bombs have always been impressive.”
Sophie Enid
“Why change the game? It’s not at the international level so why add it in the regular season. You are losing the authenticity of netball and what makes the game good.”
Katey Symon
“Love it. Nothing more boring than seeing a shooter shoot from directly under the ring. Not sure if many of them can do long range bombs. When I learnt to shoot, I learnt to shoot from everywhere and they’re pros they should be able to nail them too.”
Glenn Finkelde
“You have an amazing product. You have a fan base that is massive. You have a fan base that is massive, who for whatever reason don’t watch or attend the matches in the numbers you’d like. There’s your low hanging fruit – rather than people looking for Diet-basketball.”
