Netball is a fast-paced sport that can appear complicated to a complete beginner, but once you’ve got to grip with the rules, the game will become easy to follow. Here’s an overview of the rules of netball to help you understand the game better. Each team is made up of seven players, who play one of the positions listed in the table. The diagram below also shows a netball court and where each position stands during a centre pass. Each position is only allowed in certain areas of the court - as explained below. A game of netball generally consists of four, 15 minute quarters, plus any injury time awarded by the referee. Centre passes are taken alternatively by each team at the start of each quarter and once a goal has been scored. One point is awarded for every goal. Only the Goal Attack (GA) and Goal Shooter (GS) from each team are allowed to score, and they must be completely inside the goal circle when they shoot. Breaking a minor rule in netball leads to the opposition being awarded a free pass, which is a pass taken from the same spot where the infringement occurred. Breaking a major netball rule is naturally considered to be more serious, and results in the opposition being awarded a penalty pass, which means the player who broke the rule must stand out of the way until the pass is taken. If a player gives away a penalty pass in the goal circle then the shooter can take a free shot at goal. Ball control Three-second rule in netball Making space in a netball match If a player catches the ball with only one foot on the ground then that foot is called the landing foot. The player has a number of options: Picture Credit: Snap2Art / Shutterstock.com Playing positions
Position Court Area (Blue) Court Area (Red) Goal Keeper - GK 1 & 2 4 & 5 Goal Defence - GD 1, 2 & 3 3, 4 & 5 Wing Defence - WD 2 & 3 3 & 4 Centre - C 2, 3 & 4 2, 3 & 4 Wing Attack - WA 3 & 4 2 & 3 Goal Attack - GA 3, 4 & 5 1, 2 & 3 Goal Shooter - GS 4 & 5 1 & 2
How to play
Overview of the rules
Major netball rules infringements
Minor netball rule infringements
Netball footwork
Netball court boundaries
Toss ups in netball
See Also
Netball - an overview and history of the sport - Netball - factfile - GCSE Physical Education Revision - OCRHow to pass, shield, and shoot in netballLes cerceaux universitaires se sont débarrassés de leur règle la plus stupideLiz Ellis labels Northern Mystics' Anna Harrison netball lift in ANZ Championship among 'best defensive plays ever'