NETBALLNETBALL

Learn the fundamentalsLearn the fundamentals

The aim of the gameThe aim of the game

The winning formula for netball is simple - good team-The winning formula for netball is simple - good team-work and the ability to score lots of goals! work and the ability to score lots of goals! The aim of the game is to rack up a bigger score than The aim of the game is to rack up a bigger score than your opposition. your opposition. But although each team has seven players to help But although each team has seven players to help achieve this, only TWO players are allowed to try and achieve this, only TWO players are allowed to try and score goals. score goals. Each member of the team has their own job to do on the Each member of the team has their own job to do on the netball court. netball court. And to make sure they do that job players are only And to make sure they do that job players are only allowed to go into certain zones on the court. allowed to go into certain zones on the court. Don't panic - the rules are not as complicated as you Don't panic - the rules are not as complicated as you think! think!

RULESRULES

::::Positions on the courtPositions on the court

::::The rules of the gameThe rules of the game

::::Discover the basics of netballDiscover the basics of netball

::::Looking the part on court!Looking the part on court!

Positions on the courtPositions on the court

Goal ShooterGoal Shooter

Goal AttackGoal Attack

Wing AttackWing Attack

CentreCentre

Wing DefenceWing Defence

Goal DefenceGoal Defence

Goal KeeperGoal Keeper

Goal shooterGoal shooter

The goal shooter's main job is The goal shooter's main job is simply to score goals! simply to score goals! They are allowed in the They are allowed in the attacking third and the goal attacking third and the goal circle BUT nowhere else on circle BUT nowhere else on the court. the court. The GS must have sharp The GS must have sharp shooting skills. shooting skills. They have to be able to react They have to be able to react quickly, dealing with passes quickly, dealing with passes and rebounds. and rebounds. Goal shooters have the Goal shooters have the steadiest hands on the court steadiest hands on the court and are often among the taller and are often among the taller players. players.

Goal attackGoal attack

The goal attack is also allowed The goal attack is also allowed to try to score goals. to try to score goals. They can play in the centre They can play in the centre third, the attacking third and third, the attacking third and the goal circle but NOT the the goal circle but NOT the defensive third. defensive third. The GA's main duty is to feed The GA's main duty is to feed the goal shooter so they can the goal shooter so they can fire the ball into the net close fire the ball into the net close to the post. to the post. But if the defenders are But if the defenders are marking the GS then the GA marking the GS then the GA will often have a shot from will often have a shot from nearer the edge of the goal nearer the edge of the goal circle. circle. The GA must have both strong The GA must have both strong passing and shooting skills. passing and shooting skills.

Wing attackWing attack

The wing attack is the key The wing attack is the key play-maker of the netball court. play-maker of the netball court. It is their job to create as many It is their job to create as many goal-scoring chances as goal-scoring chances as possible by passing the ball to possible by passing the ball to the shooters. the shooters. The WA can move in the The WA can move in the attacking and centre third BUT attacking and centre third BUT not in the goal circle or the not in the goal circle or the defensive third. defensive third. The wing attack has to have The wing attack has to have solid passing and collecting solid passing and collecting skills. skills. They also need good footwork They also need good footwork and the ability to open up and the ability to open up space on the court. space on the court.

CentreCentre Centres are able to move in the Centres are able to move in the whole court, with the exception of whole court, with the exception of the goal circles. the goal circles. They have to help out in defence They have to help out in defence and attack. and attack. But they are mainly relied upon to But they are mainly relied upon to shift the ball away from the shift the ball away from the defensive area into attack. defensive area into attack. Centres also restart the game Centres also restart the game each time a goal has been scored. each time a goal has been scored. They do this by making a pass They do this by making a pass from the centre circle. from the centre circle. The centre is the engine of the The centre is the engine of the team so they have to be quick and team so they have to be quick and creative with their passing. creative with their passing. Centres are normally the swiftest Centres are normally the swiftest player on the court which means player on the court which means they are often among the smallest. they are often among the smallest.

Wing defenceWing defence The wing defence can go into the The wing defence can go into the centre and defensive thirds, but centre and defensive thirds, but NOT in the attacking third or the NOT in the attacking third or the goal circle. goal circle. Their main job is to stop the ball Their main job is to stop the ball reaching the opposition's goal reaching the opposition's goal circle. circle. They must intercept passes and They must intercept passes and feed them back to the attacking feed them back to the attacking areas. areas. As well as getting the ball forward As well as getting the ball forward they have to mark the opposite they have to mark the opposite wing attack. wing attack. The wing defence must be The wing defence must be focused and good at controlling focused and good at controlling the ball. the ball.

Goal defenceGoal defence

The goal defence patrols the The goal defence patrols the defensive third, the goal circle defensive third, the goal circle and the centre third. and the centre third. Their main job is to stop the Their main job is to stop the opposition from scoring and to opposition from scoring and to get the ball out of the danger get the ball out of the danger area! area! The Goal Defence has to keep The Goal Defence has to keep a close eye on the other a close eye on the other team's goal attack. team's goal attack. They must have good skills of They must have good skills of anticipation so they can block anticipation so they can block passes and get the ball out to passes and get the ball out to their own attacking players. their own attacking players.

Goal keeperGoal keeper

The goal keeper is the last line The goal keeper is the last line of defence. of defence. They guard the goal circle and They guard the goal circle and the defensive third and must the defensive third and must stop the goal shooter from stop the goal shooter from scoring. scoring. They have to stay alert so they They have to stay alert so they can collect rebounds off the can collect rebounds off the post and intercept passes. post and intercept passes. Goal keepers are also Goal keepers are also responsible for taking throw-responsible for taking throw-ins from the goal-line. ins from the goal-line. They are often tall and They are often tall and physical players who are physical players who are prepared to fiercely protect prepared to fiercely protect their goal post! their goal post!

Rules of the gameRules of the game

Major and minor rules Major and minor rules The rules of netball are pretty straightforward, and fall into two basic The rules of netball are pretty straightforward, and fall into two basic categories: minor (or "technical") rules and major rules. categories: minor (or "technical") rules and major rules. If a player breaks a minor rule the opposition is awarded a free pass, which is a If a player breaks a minor rule the opposition is awarded a free pass, which is a pass taken from the same spot where the rule was broken. pass taken from the same spot where the rule was broken. Breaking a major rule is more serious, and results in the opposing team being Breaking a major rule is more serious, and results in the opposing team being awarded a penalty pass. awarded a penalty pass. A penalty pass is similar to a free pass, except the player who broke the rule A penalty pass is similar to a free pass, except the player who broke the rule must stand out of the way until the pass is taken. 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 If a player gives away a penalty pass in the goal circle then the shooter can take a free shot at goal. a free shot at goal. If you're careful you should be able to steer clear of trouble, so click on the If you're careful you should be able to steer clear of trouble, so click on the buttons above for the Academy's guide to the rules of netball.buttons above for the Academy's guide to the rules of netball.

Minor or 'technical' rulesMinor or 'technical' rules

Ball controlBall control

Three second ruleThree second rule

Making spaceMaking space

FootworkFootwork

Court boundariesCourt boundaries

Toss upsToss ups

Ball controlBall control

When a player receives a pass they have to act quickly, When a player receives a pass they have to act quickly, but they are not allowed to run with the ball or dribble it. but they are not allowed to run with the ball or dribble it. To gain control of the ball, a player can bat or bounce To gain control of the ball, a player can bat or bounce the ball once, but they CANNOT bat and bounce the ball, the ball once, but they CANNOT bat and bounce the ball, or do either more than once. or do either more than once. It is also against the rules to push the ball into the air It is also against the rules to push the ball into the air before batting or bouncing it. before batting or bouncing it. And don't think you can get away with untidy play either. And don't think you can get away with untidy play either. A player has to be standing before they throw the ball - A player has to be standing before they throw the ball - so no chucking the ball when you're kneeling down or so no chucking the ball when you're kneeling down or sprawled on the floor of the court! sprawled on the floor of the court!

Three second ruleThree second rule

To make sure the game stays pacy and To make sure the game stays pacy and competitive there's the three second rule. competitive there's the three second rule.

This means players have only three This means players have only three seconds between catching the ball and seconds between catching the ball and making a passmaking a pass

Making SpaceMaking Space

This rule aims to cut down on short passes This rule aims to cut down on short passes between team members, and effectively stops between team members, and effectively stops the ball being handed from one player to the the ball being handed from one player to the next at close range. next at close range.

The player holding the ball must leave enough The player holding the ball must leave enough room for another person to move between their room for another person to move between their hands and those of the catcher. hands and those of the catcher.

This gives the opposition a chance to get the This gives the opposition a chance to get the ball! ball!

FootworkFootwork

One of the trickiest rules to remember in netball is getting your One of the trickiest rules to remember in netball is getting your footwork right. footwork right. If a player catches the ball with only one foot on the ground then If a player catches the ball with only one foot on the ground then that foot is called the landing foot. that foot is called the landing foot. A player can then choose to step with the other foot, lift the landing A player can then choose to step with the other foot, lift the landing foot and throw the ball before the landing foot returns to the ground. foot and throw the ball before the landing foot returns to the ground. Or they can pivot on the landing foot and move the other foot any Or they can pivot on the landing foot and move the other foot any number of times - depending on how flexible the player is! number of times - depending on how flexible the player is! But they are NOT allowed to move or hop on the landing foot until But they are NOT allowed to move or hop on the landing foot until they have thrown the ball. they have thrown the ball. A player can also jump, switching from the landing foot to their other A player can also jump, switching from the landing foot to their other one, and then jump again to throw the ball. one, and then jump again to throw the ball. If a player has both feet on the floor when catching the ball they will If a player has both feet on the floor when catching the ball they will choose their landing foot and follow the rules as above. choose their landing foot and follow the rules as above. If a player breaks the footwork rule it is usually called stepping and a If a player breaks the footwork rule it is usually called stepping and a free pass is awarded. free pass is awarded.

Court boundariesCourt boundaries

Each player is only allowed in certain areas of the court Each player is only allowed in certain areas of the court and if they stray out of position then they are offside. and if they stray out of position then they are offside. A player can still be offside even if they don't have the A player can still be offside even if they don't have the ball. ball. Long ball tactics that work so well in basketball and Long ball tactics that work so well in basketball and football also won't get you very far in netball! football also won't get you very far in netball! That is because the ball must be handled in each third of That is because the ball must be handled in each third of the court. the court. A player cannot throw the ball from the defensive third to A player cannot throw the ball from the defensive third to the attacking third, for example. the attacking third, for example. At least two passes also have to be made before a At least two passes also have to be made before a player can have a shot on goal. player can have a shot on goal.

Toss upsToss ups

There are 14 players on a netball court, so you can occasionally There are 14 players on a netball court, so you can occasionally expect two players to get tangled up reaching for the ball at the expect two players to get tangled up reaching for the ball at the same time! same time! This is called simultaneous contact and the umpire will use a toss This is called simultaneous contact and the umpire will use a toss up to restart the game. up to restart the game. The two players face each other while the umpire stands in between The two players face each other while the umpire stands in between them. The umpire then throws the ball and both players try and them. The umpire then throws the ball and both players try and catch it. catch it. You might think taller players would always win toss ups. You might think taller players would always win toss ups. But the umpire throws the ball no more than two feet into the air But the umpire throws the ball no more than two feet into the air from just below the shoulder height of the shorter player. from just below the shoulder height of the shorter player. Toss ups also help solve incidents on the court when the umpire is Toss ups also help solve incidents on the court when the umpire is unsure exactly what happened. unsure exactly what happened.

Major rulesMajor rules

Physical ContactPhysical Contact

Moving the Moving the ‘goalposts’‘goalposts’

Physical ContactPhysical Contact

Netball is a non-contact sport, and players cannot make physical Netball is a non-contact sport, and players cannot make physical contact with one another on the court. A good thing about this rule is contact with one another on the court. A good thing about this rule is that it stops taller and bigger players using their size to unfair that it stops taller and bigger players using their size to unfair advantage. advantage. Defenders have to stand 0.9m (3ft) away from the player with the Defenders have to stand 0.9m (3ft) away from the player with the ball. ball. From this distance a player can try and win the ball back, but ONLY From this distance a player can try and win the ball back, but ONLY when it has been thrown into the air. when it has been thrown into the air. Players can defend a member of the other team who does not have Players can defend a member of the other team who does not have the ball but they cannot touch them or snatch the ball from under the ball but they cannot touch them or snatch the ball from under their nose! their nose! If a player makes physical contact and disrupts play then a penalty If a player makes physical contact and disrupts play then a penalty pass is awarded. pass is awarded. But remember to be careful, because even if you trip over your But remember to be careful, because even if you trip over your shoelaces and knock another player over by accident - the referee shoelaces and knock another player over by accident - the referee will still give a penalty pass! will still give a penalty pass!

Moving the ‘goalposts’Moving the ‘goalposts’

No-one would notice if you just moved that No-one would notice if you just moved that 3m (10ft) goalpost just a little nearer would 3m (10ft) goalpost just a little nearer would they? they? Well, if a player is caught leaning on a Well, if a player is caught leaning on a post then a free pass will be given. post then a free pass will be given. But if you try and move the thing then you But if you try and move the thing then you will give the other side a penalty pass. So will give the other side a penalty pass. So moving the goalposts is definitely not moving the goalposts is definitely not allowed! allowed!

Discover the basics of netballDiscover the basics of netball

Aim of the gameAim of the game

The courtThe court

DurationDuration

The OfficialsThe Officials

Lets get startedLets get started

Aim of the gameAim of the game

Netball is played by two teams and the aim of the game is simply to Netball is played by two teams and the aim of the game is simply to score more goals than the other side. You score by shooting the ball score more goals than the other side. You score by shooting the ball through the opposing team's net. through the opposing team's net. Sounds easy? Well the net hangs off a metal post ten feet (3.05m) Sounds easy? Well the net hangs off a metal post ten feet (3.05m) high! high! Teams Teams There are seven players in a team and they each have their own There are seven players in a team and they each have their own position. position. Each player is only allowed to move in a certain area of the court. Each player is only allowed to move in a certain area of the court. This means team-work and strong passing skills are very important. This means team-work and strong passing skills are very important. There's extra help on the sidelines too as each team are allowed There's extra help on the sidelines too as each team are allowed five more players who can come on as substitutes. five more players who can come on as substitutes.

The courtThe court

You can't play netball without a You can't play netball without a proper court to play on. That is proper court to play on. That is because many of the rules because many of the rules involve how the court is involve how the court is divided up. divided up. Don't worry, it's not as Don't worry, it's not as confusing as it sounds! confusing as it sounds! The court is divided up into The court is divided up into three sections: the defensive three sections: the defensive third, the centre third and the third, the centre third and the attacking third. attacking third. Also marked on the court is a Also marked on the court is a centre circle and at each end centre circle and at each end two goal circles. two goal circles. Inside each goal circle sit the Inside each goal circle sit the goalposts. goalposts.

DurationDuration

How long does a game last? How long does a game last? A game of netball lasts for an hour. The match is A game of netball lasts for an hour. The match is split into fifteen minute quarters with a three-split into fifteen minute quarters with a three-minute break between the first and second and minute break between the first and second and the third and fourth quarters. the third and fourth quarters.

Half-time between the second and third quarters Half-time between the second and third quarters lasts five minutes. lasts five minutes.

Teams will change ends after each quarter.Teams will change ends after each quarter.

OfficialsOfficials

Whether you are playing at school, with a local Whether you are playing at school, with a local club or at international level you will have to get club or at international level you will have to get used to an umpire making sure you stick to the used to an umpire making sure you stick to the rules! Professional games will often have two rules! Professional games will often have two umpires, two timekeepers and two scorers! umpires, two timekeepers and two scorers! Netball is a fast-paced game so umpires have a Netball is a fast-paced game so umpires have a lot to keep their eyes on. lot to keep their eyes on. They have to make sure the players don't cross They have to make sure the players don't cross over their boundaries and stick to the footwork over their boundaries and stick to the footwork rules and that the ball is handled correctly. rules and that the ball is handled correctly.

Let's get started!Let's get started!

The umpire will toss a coin to decide which team The umpire will toss a coin to decide which team will take the first centre pass. The centre starts will take the first centre pass. The centre starts the game standing inside the centre circle while the game standing inside the centre circle while the opposing centre stands at least 3 feet (0.9m) the opposing centre stands at least 3 feet (0.9m) away. away. The rest of the players stay out of the centre The rest of the players stay out of the centre third completely until the referee has blown the third completely until the referee has blown the whistle. whistle. But the first pass must be caught inside the But the first pass must be caught inside the centre third - so make sure you're ready for centre third - so make sure you're ready for action! action!

Looking the part on court!Looking the part on court! One of the best things about netball is One of the best things about netball is that it shouldn't eat up too much of that it shouldn't eat up too much of your pocket money! Most schools play your pocket money! Most schools play netball and it usually doesn't cost too netball and it usually doesn't cost too much to join a local club. much to join a local club. The kit is pretty basic too - clubs The kit is pretty basic too - clubs usually have a uniform of shirts, skirts usually have a uniform of shirts, skirts and trainers. A good netball to practice and trainers. A good netball to practice with will cost around £10. with will cost around £10. The most important piece of The most important piece of equipment is the court but most of you equipment is the court but most of you probably won't have enough cash to probably won't have enough cash to build one in your garden! build one in your garden! Don't panic! There are over 6,000 Don't panic! There are over 6,000 school and local sides in the country school and local sides in the country so there should be a court near you. so there should be a court near you. Click the buttons above to find out Click the buttons above to find out more about the equipment you need. more about the equipment you need.

The clothes showThe clothes show What to wearWhat to wearIt's important that you look your best It's important that you look your best even on the netball court, so here's even on the netball court, so here's what to wear! Most players wear a what to wear! Most players wear a loose polo shirt with short sleeves and loose polo shirt with short sleeves and a short pleated skirt. a short pleated skirt. The skirt is designed to give you more The skirt is designed to give you more freedom of movement so you can jump freedom of movement so you can jump up and reach the ball more easily. up and reach the ball more easily. Some professional teams wear an all-Some professional teams wear an all-in-one bodysuit so they can move in-one bodysuit so they can move around the court even faster. around the court even faster. You also need short sports socks to You also need short sports socks to give you extra bounce and support on give you extra bounce and support on court. court. Look out for special sports socks Look out for special sports socks which are designed to give you extra which are designed to give you extra padding in all the right places. padding in all the right places.

Get ready to bounceGet ready to bounce CourtCourtNetball should put a spring in your step Netball should put a spring in your step - that's because it is designed to be - that's because it is designed to be played on sprung wooden floors played on sprung wooden floors indoors! But it is also played outdoors - indoors! But it is also played outdoors - usually on a concrete court with usually on a concrete court with painted white lines. painted white lines. Whether indoors or outside the court is Whether indoors or outside the court is always the same size. It is 30.50m always the same size. It is 30.50m (100ft) long and 15.25m (50ft) wide. (100ft) long and 15.25m (50ft) wide. And even the lines should be a certain And even the lines should be a certain width - no more than five centimetres width - no more than five centimetres (2inches). (2inches). There are even rules about how much There are even rules about how much space should be left around the edge space should be left around the edge of the court. of the court. This is called the run-off space and This is called the run-off space and should prevent players banging into should prevent players banging into the wall or fence! the wall or fence!

Reach for the sky!Reach for the sky! PostsPostsAt each end of the court in each goal circle At each end of the court in each goal circle stand the goalposts. They will tower over stand the goalposts. They will tower over most players at 3.05m (10ft) high, though most players at 3.05m (10ft) high, though beginners can train with smaller posts. beginners can train with smaller posts. The net is attached to a metal ring at the top The net is attached to a metal ring at the top of the post. It has to be open at both ends of the post. It has to be open at both ends so that the ball can drop out again. so that the ball can drop out again. When the game was first played the umpire When the game was first played the umpire had to shimmy up the post to get the ball had to shimmy up the post to get the ball out of the net! out of the net! The posts are either held in place in the The posts are either held in place in the ground or are supported by a base which ground or are supported by a base which sits outside the court. sits outside the court. If you want to be a shooting star you could If you want to be a shooting star you could pick-up a post to practice on in your garden. pick-up a post to practice on in your garden. Or if you've not got enough room then you Or if you've not got enough room then you can even buy a ring to attach to a wall for can even buy a ring to attach to a wall for around £20. around £20.

About a ballAbout a ball BallBallThe balls are about the same size as a The balls are about the same size as a football - so if you haven't got a netball football - so if you haven't got a netball you can start off practising with one of you can start off practising with one of those. The first netballs were made of those. The first netballs were made of leather, but in wet weather they leather, but in wet weather they became slippery and less easy to became slippery and less easy to pass. pass. So now they are made from rubber or So now they are made from rubber or a waterproof material which allows a waterproof material which allows players to get a better grip. players to get a better grip. The balls are made up of panels which The balls are made up of panels which help improve the flight of the ball in the help improve the flight of the ball in the air. air. The colour of the balls has also The colour of the balls has also evolved. They started off brown, then evolved. They started off brown, then orange, and then went two-tone in orange, and then went two-tone in white and black before an all-white ball white and black before an all-white ball was decided upon. was decided upon.