THE RULES OF NETBALL
THE AIM OF THE GAMEThe winning formula for netball is simple - good team-work and the ability to score lots of goals!
The aim of the game is to rack up a bigger score than your opposition.
But although each team has seven players to help achieve this, only TWO players are allowed to try and score goals.
Each member of the team has their own job to do on the netball court.
And to make sure they do that job players are only allowed to go into certain zones on the court.
Don't panic - the rules are not as complicated as you think!
Rules of Netball
According to www.england-netball.co.uk
POSITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Each position has a main role to play:
GS - Goal Shooter
To score goals and to work in and around the circle with the GA
GA - Goal Attack
To feed and work with GS and to score goals
WA - Wing Attack
To feed the circle players giving them shooting opportunities
C - Centre
To take the Centre Pass and to link the defence and the attack
WD - Wing Defence
To look for interceptions and to prevent the WA from feeding the circle
GD - Goal Defence
To win the ball and reduce the effectiveness of the GA
GK - Goal Keeper
To work with the GD and to prevent the GS from scoring goals
RULES SUMMARY
COURT AREAS
Offside: Player moving out of own area, with or without ball (on a line counts as within either area)
Over a Third: Ball may not be thrown over two transverse lines without being touched
Out of Court: Ball is out of court when it contacts anything outside the court area (not the goalpost). The ball is returned into play by a Throw-In taken from a point outside the line where the ball left the court. The player stands with foot close to the line, and the ball must be thrown onto the court within three seconds.
PLAYING THE GAMEStarting or Restarting the Game:
The Players are responsible at the start and restart of play
Centre passes are taken alternately by the Centre, after a goal has been scored. All players must start in the goal thirds except the two Centres. The Centre with the ball starts with either one or both feet in the Centre Circle (if on one foot then the other must not have contact with the ground outside the Centre Circle) and must obey the footwork rule after the whistle has been blown. The opposing Centre stands anywhere within the Centre Third and is free to move. The Centre pass must be caught or touched by a player in or landing in or jumping from a stance in the Centre third.
Playing the Ball:
A player who has caught or the ball shall play it or shoot for goal within three seconds
A player may bounce or bat the ball once to gain control
Once released, the ball must next be touched by another player
There must be room for a third player between hands of thrower and catcher
A player on the ground must stand up before playing ball
Footwork
Having caught the ball, a may land or stand on:
One foot ? while the landing foot remains grounded, the second foot may be moved anywhere any number of times, pivoting on the landing foot if desired. Once the landing foot is lifted, it must not be re-grounded until the ball is released.
Two feet (simultaneously) ? once one foot is moved, the other is considered to be the landing foot, as above. Hopping or dragging the landing foot is not allowed.
Scoring a Goal:
Only GS or GA can score ? they must be completely within the circle when the ball is received in order to shoot for goal.
Toss up:
This is administered for all simultaneous infringements. The two players stand facing each other at their own shooting ends with hands by their sides and the umpire flicks the ball upwards not more than 600m (2ft) in the air as the whistle is blown.
A FREE PASS is awarded for infringement of any of the preceding rules. It may be taken by any player allowed in that area, as soon as they have taken up a stationary position. (A player may not shoot from a free pass in the shooting circle).
Obstruction:
Player with ball: the nearer foot of the defender must be 0.9m (3ft) feet from the landing foot of the player with the ball, or the spot where the first foot had landed if one has been lifted. The defender may jump to intercept or defend the ball from this 0.9m (3ft) feet distance
Player without ball: the defender may be close, but not touching, providing that no effort is made to intercept or defend the ball and there is no interference with the opponents throwing or shooting action. Arms must be in a natural position, not outstretched, and no other part of the body or legs may be used to hamper an opponent.
Intimidation: of any kind, is classed as obstruction
A standing player is not compelled to move to allow an opponent a free run, but dangerous play must be discouraged, e.g. moving into the landing space of a player already in the air or stepping late into the path of a moving player
Contact:
No player may contact an opponent, either accidentally or deliberately, in such a way that interferes with the play of that opponent or causes contact to occur.
A PENALTY PASS (or PENALTY PASS/ PENALTY SHOT if in the shooting circle) is awarded for the above infringements taken from where the infringement occurred. The offending player must stand out of play beside the thrower until the pass or shot has been taken. Any opposing player allowed in that area may take the penalty.
Discipline Rule 19:
Players and Team Officials must ensure that they are fully conversant with the rules covering "Breaking the Rules" and "Deliberate Delaying of Play" (including setting of Penalties).
Court InformationCourt classification
The AENA has established five categories of netball court. These are described in the AENA publication entitled Categories of Netball Court and Surface Performance Requirements (1999). When designing a netball facility it is essential that the scheme has the appropriate number and categories of court for its intended use, as defined in the relevant County Netball Association facility strategy.
The categories relate to the different levels of play and training that will take place on the courts.
Category 1 courts are outdoor courts intended for school, recreation and community use.
Category 2 courts are indoor or outdoor courts intended for local league, school, recreation and community use.
Category 3 courts are indoor or outdoor courts intended for county premier league and county first team use.
Category 4 courts are dedicated outdoor courts intended for higher levels of play such as national clubs league, inter county competitions and national squad training.
(Note AENA also have a Category 5 court. This is a dedicated indoor court intended for national clubs league and inter county competitions).
Layout
Dimensions
The court comprises the primary playing area, the side and end run-offs and for certain categories spectator and team areas. The dimensions of the playing area are specified in the Official Rules of Netball, whilst the size of the side and end run-offs and team and spectator areas depends upon the layout of the courts and the category level it is designed to meet.
Layout
Netball Courts may be laid out as single courts, in rows or end to end. Generally speaking courts should not be laid out in rows of more than four in one block. If courts are laid end to end it is recommended that a division fence separate the courts.
Orientation
There is no preferred orientation for netball courts, and facilities should be designed to make the best possible use of available land. Designers should be aware, however, that if the courts are also to be used for tennis they should preferably be positioned with the courts running in a generally north/south orientation.
Gradients and surface regularity
Non-permeable courts should always be laid to a gradient to assist the removal of water. The gradient should be in a single plane and, where conditions permit, across the court. The gradient should be a minimum of 1:120 and a maximum of 1:100. To ensure the long-term performance of permeable surfaces it is also advisable to incorporate a gradient of between 1:200 and 1:120. The surface should also be laid without humps and hollows. This is particularly important where impervious surfaces are used, as any depression will hold water and allow puddles to develop.
Goal Posts
A Goalpost which shall be vertical and 3.05 meters (10 feet) high shall be placed at the mid-point of each goal line. A metal ring with an internal diameter of 380mm (15 inches) shall project horizontally 150 mm (6 inches) from the top of the post, the attachment to allow 150mm (6 inches) between the post and the near side of the ring. The ring shall be of steel rod 15mm (5.8 inches) in diameter, fitted with a net clearly visible and open at both ends. Both ring and net are part of the goalpost. Padding used on the goalpost shall not be more that 50mm (2 inches thin and shall start at the base of the goalpost and extend the full length of the post.
The goal post which shall be 65mm - 100mm (2.5 inches - 4 inches) in diameter or 65mm - 100mm (2.5 inches - 4 inches) square may be inserted in a socket in the ground or may be supported by a metal base which shall not project on the court. The Goalpost shall be placed so that the back of the goalpost is at the outside of the goal line. For international matches the Goalpost will preferably be inserted into the ground or sleeved beneath the floor.
To cater for young people's Netball (High Five and First Step Netball) and Wheelchair Netball, goals shoul have adjustable net ring heights of 3.05m (10ft), 2.75m (9ft) and 2.44m (8ft)