Learn the Game
What is netball?
Netball is a fast-paced team sport played by two teams of seven on a rectangular court divided into five key areas. The objective is simple: outscore your opponents by successfully shooting the ball into their net. However, only specific players can take the shots. Another important rule is that after every goal, possession alternates, meaning the team that concedes does not necessarily restart play.
Each match consists of four 15-minute quarters, with breaks in between. The intervals between quarters 1-2 and 3-4 last four minutes, while half time provides a 12-minute rest.
The Court
A netball court can be both indoors and outdoors and is made up of five areas: two goal circles, a defending third, a middle third and an attacking third.
The Positions
A netball team is made up of seven players:
Goal Keeper
Defends against the opposition’s Goal Shooter, staying within the defending third and goal circle.
Goal Defence
Works alongside the Goal Keeper to prevent goals. They can play in the defending third, goal circle, and middle third.
Wing Defence
Blocks the opposition from advancing towards the goal. Allowed in the defending and middle thirds but not in the goal circle.
Centre
The key playmaker who starts and restarts play, covering all thirds except both goal circles.
Wing Attack
Helps transition play into the attacking third and delivers passes to shooters but cannot enter the goal circle.
Goal Attack
Sets up scoring opportunities and can also take shots. Allowed in the middle and attacking thirds, including the goal circle.
Goal Shooter
The primary scorer, restricted to the attacking third and goal circle.
Key terminology
Here’s our quick guide to the things you’ll hear at a netball game.
Footwork
If a player moves with the ball they’ll be penalised for footwork. Players can take one step in any direction, but they then cannot move the other foot other than to pivot. Players can receive the ball on either one or two feet but cannot reground or drag their landing foot once in possession of the ball.
Free Pass
A team will be awarded a free pass following an infringement by the opposing team. A free pass is normally given for minor infringements, and the penalised player can defend the pass. A player cannot shoot from a free pass
Penalty Pass
This is awarded when contact or obstruction takes place. The offending player is not in play for this and must stand by the player who is in possession, and they cannot move until the ball is played. A shot can be taken from a penalty pass.
Over a third
The ball must be caught or touched in each third. It cannot be passed directly from the defensive third to the attacking, or from a back line into the centre third without a player making contact. Either scenario will result in a free pass being awarded to the opposing team.
Short pass
This relates to how far the ball travels. Under new rules, there must be sufficient space on the court for an opposing player to be able to deflect or intercept a pass as it moves from the passer to the receiver.
Held ball
A ball is called held if the player in possession hasn’t released it within three seconds.
Replay/Repossession
A replay in netball is where a player gains control or possession, loses control or possession and then regains it again without another player touching the ball. If this happens, a free pass is awarded to the opposition.
Contact
Contact is deemed as a penalty when a player engages in physical contact with an opponent that unfairly interferes with them being able to play. A penalty pass will be given even if the contact is deemed accidental.
If the physical contact is not deemed to cause an interference to the opposition's ability to play, then a penalty will not be given and play continues.
Obstruction
Obstruction is called when the defending player tries to intercept or defend within 3 feet / 0.9m of the landing foot of the player in possession of the ball.
Rules and Regulations
Rules Variations
Netball follows the official World Netball rules, but some elite leagues, such as the Netball Super League, have been granted permission to introduce slight modifications for added excitement. These variations do not impact grassroots or international netball.
Officials
Umpires play a very important part in netball! They make sure all the players are following the rules and make sure that we can have a fair and fun game. In netball you’ll see two umpires covering opposite sides of the court to their right-hand side, including their own goal line, in addition to a team of technical officials and statisticians at elite levels.
