The following guidelines are only a snapshot of the rules of the game and should not be seen as a substitute for the Official Rule Book.

Official Rule Books can be purchased from your local netball association. It is advisable to always consult the Official Netball Rule Book for accurate and detailed information.

Players

A netball team consists of up to 12 players with 7 players allowed on court at any one time. A team may take the court with a minimum of 5 players.

 

Position Court Area GS 1 & 2 GA 1, 2 & 3 WA 2 & 3 C 2, 3 & 4 WD 3 & 4 GD 3, 4 & 5 GK 4 & 5

 

Length of the Game

Netball is played over four 15 minute quarters. There is a three minute break between the first and second quarter and the third and fourth quarters. The half time break is either five or ten minutes, to be decided by the event organizer prior to the event. Injury time is up to two minutes.

Starting the Game

The game commences with the first centre pass taken at the umpire's whistle. After each goal is scored, a new centre pass is taken alternatively by the two centre players, irrespective of who scores the goal. The umpire's whistle indicates the beginning and end of each quarter.

Scoring a Goal

A goal is scored when a Goal Shooter or Goal Attack within the goal circle throws the ball completely through the goal ring. The umpire's whistle signals the goal is scored.

Team Changes and Substitutions

A team may make any number of substitutions at the quarter, half or three-quarter time break as well as during a stoppage due to injury or illness. If a substitution or team change is made due to injury or illness, the injured or ill player must be involved in the substitution or positional change. The opposing team is free to make substitutions or positional changes, regardless if the team who called for the time out makes no changes.

Offside

Players must stay within their designated playing areas. If a player goes offside, a free pass is awarded to the opposing team in the offside area. A player may reach over and take the ball from an offside area provided that no part of their body touches the ground in that area.

Held Ball

A player must pass the ball or shoot for goal within three seconds of receiving the ball.

Over a Third

The ball cannot be thrown over a complete third without being touched by a player in that third. The pass is taken from the third where the player gained possession.

Out of Court

If a player has no contact with the ball they may stand or move out of the court, but must make contact with the playing area and have no other contact with anything outside the court before attempting to touch the ball again.

Playing the Ball (or Replay)

A player who has possession of the ball may not bounce the ball and re-gain possession of the ball (replay it). If a player does not catch the ball cleanly, it may be allowed to bounce once to gain possession or batted or bounced to another team mate. After throwing the ball, a player cannot play it again until it is touched by another player, or rebounds off the goal post.

Short Pass

There must always be room for a third player to move in between the hands of the thrower and those of the receiver when passing.

Footwork

a. One-Foot Landing

When a player lands on one foot they may step with the other foot, lift the landing foot, but must throw the ball before re-grounding the lifted foot. They may use the landing foot as a pivoting foot, stepping in any direction with the other foot as many times as they wish. Once the pivoting foot is lifted they must pass or shoot before re-grounding this foot. A player cannot drag or slide the landing foot, or hop on either foot.

b. Two-Foot Landing

If a player catches the ball and lands on both feed simultaneously, they may step in any direction with one foot, lift the other foot but must throw or shoot before re-grounding this foot. They may pivot on one foot, stepping in any direction with the other foot as often as they wish. Once the pivot foot is lifted they must throw the ball before re-grounding this foot.

Obstruction

A player with arms extended cannot defend a player with the ball, closer than 0.9m (3 feet). This distance is measured from the first landed foot of the attacking player to the nearer foot of the defending player. A player may stand closer to an opponent without the ball provided their arms are not extended, but a player may not use intimidating actions against an opponent with or without the ball.

Contact

A player cannot accidently or deliberately come into contact with another player in a way, which impedes their play.

Penalties

There are five types of penalties in netball: 1. free pass 2. penalty pass 3. penalty pass or shot 4. throw in 5. toss up

a. Free Pass

A free pass is awarded for infringements on the court involving one player. The pass is taken where the infringement occurred by any player who is allowed in the area. If a free pass is awarded in the goal circle, the shooter may only pass the ball - not shoot for goal.

b. Penalty Pass/Penalty Pass or Shot

A penalty pass is awarded for contact, intimidation and obstruction infringements. The pass is taken where the infringer was standing, except if it places the non-defending team at a disadvantage. Any player who is allowed in the area can take the pass. The penalised player must stand "out of play". That is, beside and away from the player taking the pass and make no attempt to take part in play.

c. Throw-In

When the ball goes out of court it is thrown-in by an opponent of the team in the court that was last to touch it. The player taking the throw-in should place one or both feet behind the point where the ball crossed the line and make sure all other players are on the court before throwing the ball.

d. Toss Up

A toss up is used to put the ball in play in situations such as, simultaneous contact by opposing players or if the umpire cannot decide who last touched the ball out of court. The two players stand 0.9m (3 feet) apart, facing each other and their own goal end. Their arms should be straight with hands by their sides. Once in position, they must not move until the umpire has tossed it up from just below shoulder height of the shorter player, and blown the whistle. The ball may be caught or batted except directly at an opponent.