Buzz
Understand the basic rules, such as how scoring works, the number of players, and the duration of the game.
Netball, which originated in England in 1895, is now played in over 70 countries. The game shares similarities with basketball, involving two teams of seven players each, who aim to score by shooting a rubber or leather ball into the opposing team's goal ring at opposite ends of the court. This guide will walk you through setting up and playing Netball, offering straightforward rules and helpful tips throughout.
Key Information You Should Know
- Number of players: 2 teams, each with 7 players
- Objective: Score the most points by shooting the ball into the opposing team's hoop
- Important rules: Players cannot move while holding the ball and cannot hold it for longer than 3 seconds. Players must remain within their designated zones on the court.
How to Play: Step-by-Step
Getting Ready to Play Netball
Find a regulation netball court, either indoors or outdoors. The court is 100 feet (30.5 meters) long and 50 feet (15.25 meters) wide, with horizontal lines dividing it into three sections. At the center, there’s a 3-foot (0.9 meters) diameter circle. At each end, there are two goal semicircles, each with a radius of 16 feet (4.9 meters). The goal rings are 15 inches wide (38 cm) and extend horizontally from a 10-foot (3 meters) post positioned at the center of each goal line. Unlike basketball, the hoop is smaller and lacks a backboard.
- If you’re playing in your backyard, try to replicate these dimensions. For smaller games with fewer players, consider timed competitions, like making 5 passes and 2 shots. If you don’t have a netball, a basketball works, but keep in mind the netball is lighter and smaller, making it better suited to the game.
Divide into two teams of 7 players each. If you have more than 14 players, make sure to have substitutes who can rotate in. You can also opt for High-5 netball, where there are no Wings in the lineup.
Assign specific positions to the players. Only the Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Attack (GA) positions can score points. The other positions are Goalkeeper (GK), Goal Defense (GD), Wing Attack (WA), Wing Defense (WD), and Center (C). These designations are shown on the front and back of each player’s jersey.
- The center player, who stands in the middle circle of the court, serves as both an attacker and defender. They can move freely across the court, except within the goal circles. The center circle has a 10-yard (9.14 meters) diameter.
- Wing Attack players aim to pass the ball to the goal shooters. They are positioned in the top third of the court, but cannot enter the goal circle.
- Wing Defenders are tasked with preventing Wing Attack players from reaching their area. They can move in both the center and their own third but must stay out of the goal circle.
- Goal Attack players can both shoot at the goal and assist the goal shooters. They can move across the center third, their opponent’s third, and the goal circle.
- Goal Defense players block Goal Attack players, preventing them from shooting or passing. Their movement is allowed in the same areas as the Goal Attack position.
- Goal Shooters can only enter the opponent’s goal circle and their own attacking third. Their role is to catch passes from teammates and attempt shots on goal.
- Goalkeepers can only move within their own goal circle and defending third. They are responsible for blocking the opponent’s attacks and preventing goals.
Find a qualified referee. While a referee is not needed for casual play, if you’re organizing a competitive match, it’s essential to have an experienced netball player officiate to ensure the rules are properly followed.
Understanding the Rules
Do not move while holding the ball. Unlike basketball, you cannot dribble. You’re only allowed to pivot on the foot you land on first. The primary rule of netball is that once you have the ball, you cannot travel with it, much like ultimate Frisbee. In other words, after receiving the ball, you must remain stationary and can only pivot, keeping one foot planted in place.
Each team must always have seven players on the court. The only time this rule changes is if a referee sends a player off the court for a violation of the rules.
Defenders must stay at least one meter away from the player with the ball. You cannot be closer than one meter to the player holding the ball, although you can position yourself farther away. Getting too close constitutes obstruction. You cannot crowd the player; instead, allow them space to observe the court. While you can jump to intercept passes, you must give them enough room to make a throw.
- This means you cannot snatch the ball directly from another player’s hands. However, you can intercept a pass mid-air. If a player has full control of the ball, you must respect the distance between you.
Adhere to the three-second rule for ball possession. You cannot hold the ball for more than three seconds. Dropping the ball and picking it up doesn’t reset the clock. Similarly, if you attempt a pass, miss, and grab the ball again, the three-second rule still applies. If you hold the ball longer than allowed, you must give it up to the opposing team. In High-5 netball, the ball can be held for up to four seconds, and the Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Keeper (GK) are permitted to play in two-thirds of the court: their own center third and the opponent's attacking third or their own goal circle.
Stay within your assigned position zone. Each player must remain within the boundaries of their designated zone. You can't move around freely like a football safety. Your movement is restricted to the area assigned to your position. Refer to the position guide for more details.
Keep the ball inside the playing area. If the ball goes out of bounds, the team that last touched it must surrender possession to the opposing team. The other team then retrieves the ball from the spot where it went out of bounds and has three seconds to throw it back into play after reaching that point.
How to Play Netball
Flip a coin to decide. The coin toss determines who gets the first possession of the ball or which goal end each team will start from. The player who isn’t tossing the coin calls the side while it’s in the air. If the coin lands on the called side, they win the ball. Alternatively, you can have a throw-up, where one player from each team stands opposite each other, facing their goalposts, one meter apart, in the center circle. The umpire then throws the ball between them, and the first player to catch it decides whether to take the first center pass or choose the shooting end they prefer.
Start the game with a center pass. The Center (C) stands in the middle circle and passes the ball to a teammate located in the center third of the court. After every goal, play resumes with another center pass to restart the action.
Score a goal. To score, you must shoot the ball through your team’s goal ring while standing inside the goal circle. The opposing team’s Goalkeeper (GK) and Goal Defense (GD) will be defending the net. Only the Goal Attack (GA) and Goal Shooter (GS) are permitted to score goals.
Observe the major and minor rules to avoid penalties. Two umpires oversee the game, making decisions and calling penalties.
- Major rules involve prohibitions against contact (whether accidental or intentional), obstruction, and intimidation. If a major rule is violated, the offending player must step out of play, while the other team gets possession for a pass or shot from the location of the infraction.
- Minor rules cover things like holding the ball for more than 3 seconds, stepping while in possession, leaving your designated area (offside), or throwing the ball over one-third of the court. Violations of minor rules result in a free pass for the opposing team from the spot where the infraction occurred.
Play netball in four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. There is a 5 to 10-minute break at halftime, and 3-minute breaks after the first and third quarters. Alternatively, you can play with 4 quarters of 6 minutes each.
Win the game. The team that scores more goals than the other before time runs out wins the match. Sounds simple, but it’s much harder than it seems!
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When you get the ball, plant one foot firmly on the ground. For some, it may help to imagine that one foot is glued in place.
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Staying hydrated before and during the game is crucial for both performance and recovery.
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Always call for the ball when you’re open to receive it.
The suggestions in this section come from the personal experiences of Mytour readers like you. If you have a valuable tip you’d like to contribute to Mytour, please share it in the field below.
- If you're a shooter, focus on perfecting your jump shots and accuracy. Bend your knees to give the ball a smoother arc. Split jumps can help you get closer to the post. Remember, shooting is a skill that requires practice—put in the effort.
- On defense? Keep an arm's length from the player with the ball and focus on their core, not just their arms. If they pivot, shuffle with them—it’ll make it harder for them to fake you or get past you.
- Before catching a pass, scan the court so you already know where to go with the ball. Pass it within 3 seconds to the first open teammate you see. If necessary, use a quick fake to free someone up.
- In addition to regular games and practices, do extra team drills. Work on perfecting your passing timing or defending against various plays. Synchronizing as a team makes everyone stronger.
- When you catch the ball, land on both feet. This way, you can pivot on either foot without getting called for traveling. Bending your knees also helps absorb the impact.
- Pass and catch the ball with your hands at chest level. Avoid passing too high or too low. Chest passes give you better control and accuracy. Always make eye contact before passing.
