Netball’s super shot, the rule changes have not enhanced the sport, writes Lisa Alexander

Super shot or sh*t shot depending on your view is one of a number of rules changes that has done nothing to enhance the sport or increase numbers, writes Lisa Alexander.

Super shot in Suncorp Super netball

It’s often referred to as the “stupid shot” by my esteemed Twitter netball fans, and crudely called the “sh** shot” by vehement opponents.

Whatever your take is on Suncorp Super Netball’s most controversial rule change, the jury of is still out and debating its worthiness.

I will be upfront and declare my distaste for it on 99.9 per cent of occasions.

I did enjoy the Thunderbirds – Fever match in Adelaide last week, getting excited when Eleanor Cardwell’s super shot was effective and won the game.

Most of the time though I cringe at the missed super shots and then the basketball key-style shenanigans of the defenders and attackers in the outer zone of the circle.

I adored the team aspect of netball and chose it over basketball when I was young. I love watching basketball separately to netball and fully support our teams and leagues.

Super shot in Suncorp Super netball

FORCED UPON THE SPORT

Following a long career as a player and coach, the purist in me gets riled by the nonsense surrounding the super shot.

In wondering “the why” of it being introduced, my feminist leanings come into play.

I remember referring to this in a 2017 interview. As the then national coach I was asked how I felt about the proposed rule change (it was voted down by the SSN Commission at that time with player, coach and umpire input), which has only occurred in Australia.

I let it be known - probably not a good idea for my job security - that I thought it was a sexist decision.

“What in the bloody hell is wrong with our game, that we have to grovel to male TV executives who are telling us what is good for us, and how we can improve ratings and get more males watching netball particularly,” I said.

It was changing the very nature of our game back to its birth mother basketball.

As a result, several administrators viewed me as an old feminist who was behind the times

and being naïve about the state of our game. It was implied that I should get my head out of the sand and stick to my coaching duties.

Today apparently I am still “out of touch” because I have not coached a Super Netball team, so what would I know?

However, my sexist quote is not so jarring these days, and does point to an inconvenient truth about who owns our game and the introduction of “gimmick” rules for no real benefit.

Has the super shot attracted more followers to the game? Would the game’s viewership and

profile have increased in any case, given stronger interest in women’s sport and a new

broadcast deal?

COACHING IMPACT

The super shot impacts the entire team.

The four x five-minute sessions requires an adjustment to all defensive and attacking strategies.

In a 60-minute match, one third is devoted to the super shot, and this should be reflected in training time.

This innovation has added layers of complexity that everyone involved in a team must address in a club program but not in the national.

One could argue that SSN rule changes have not impacted the Diamonds as yet given the Commonwealth Game success and their world No.1 status but it can hardly be enhancing their performances.

Players do need to adjust to having no timeouts; might sound like nothing but this means 15 minutes of concentrated netball which challenges mind, body and spirit and will not suit all fitness levels.

Jhaniele Fowler of the Fever puts a shot up

It has also significantly affected umpiring at the elite level. Officials in Australia are not able to be tested for their international badge domestically because we don’t have anything of standard with the correct rules, so anyone being tested has to be done on an International

match between any of the top 12 countries in the world.

Then there is the concern of how the super shot has and will impact grassroots netball.

The impact of the super shot is impossible to quantify. It’s more than a number on a scoresheet, but a major socio-cultural shift to the game of netball.

Just ask the greats of our game who will not watch this competition as they don’t see it as netball. Others watch it and switch the TV off for the final five minutes of each quarter.

This is all anecdotal evidence but points to a trend.

And what about the internal impact of the super shot? In bringing it in without consultation, has it damaged relationships between Netball Australia, the players, umpires, and the world governing body?

My best argument for no super shot is to watch the Commonwealth Games gold medal final from 2010 and see one of the closest, hard fought, emotional and tight contests ever in world sport.

Not a super shot in sight.