Netball game: Exposed Rules, and How to Play

What is a Netball game?

Netball game is an exciting and fast-paced team activity that has captured the affection of millions around the globe. Let me expose you to this great game if you haven’t already!

In the netball game, two teams of seven players each attempt to score points by tossing a ball through a goal at either end of the field. Players pass the ball using their hands on a rectangular court. But they can’t run with the ball and dribble. The opposing team can intercept or block a pass, creating a skillful, speedy, and strategic game.

The squad that gets the most goals is the one that wins. Although netball matches last 60 minutes, it has developed variants to speed up play and appeal to a broader audience. Over 20 million individuals play netball in over 80 countries, with women dominating the activity.

History of Netball

Netball traces back to the nineteenth century in England, where it was first known as “women’s basketball. Over the course of several years, the English physical training college modified the regulations of basketball for women, resulting in the creation of a distinct sport known as netball.

It created world netball in 1960 to govern netball rules, teams, rankings, etc. It is located in Manchester, England, with over 70 national members from Africa, Asia, America, Europe, and Oceania.

The INF Netball World Cup has evolved into the sport’s top international tournament since netball’s introduction to international competition in 1963. In addition, since 1998, netball has been a competitive activity at the Commonwealth Games.

Objective 

Sure, nicely, here are some fascinating goals for the netball game:

Enjoy the game and have fun

Netball is all about having a good time with your pals while being active.

Enhance your teamwork abilities

Since netball is a team activity, it offers a fantastic chance to practice cooperating and speaking clearly. 

Improve your hand

 Playing frequently has made your great eye coordination. Catching and throwing the ball in a netball game requires excellent hand-eye synchronization.

Boost your fitness 

Netball is a fast-paced sport. It calls for agility and rapid motion, making it a fantastic way to exercise and raise your fitness levels.

Learn new tactics and strategies 

Playing a netball game day by day will help you learn new tactics and strategies to win more games and score more goals for your team.

Communications

Making acquaintances and meeting new people is easy when playing netball, a team activity that promotes social interaction.

Establish new goals and push yourself 

Whether you want to improve your shooting accuracy or your netball footwork, a netball game is a fantastic way to challenge yourself and establish new goals to work towards.

Netball is a fun and exciting activity that provides a variety of physical and emotional advantages. So why not gather a group of pals and give it a shot?

Governing body

World Netball, the world’s governing authority of netball, revealed its formal rebranding from the International Netball Federation in June 2021. They headquartered the group in Manchester, England, and have over 70 national affiliates split into five regions: Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. 

A crucial role of the INF is to regulate netball, give global rankings to national teams, and organize vital international competitions such as the Netball Global Cup and the Netball World Youth Cup.

Every four years, the INF organizes the Netball World Cup (formerly the World Netball Championships). The Fast5 Netball World Series is an international tournament similar to Twenty20 cricket and rugby sevens that use adapted Fast5 regulations.

Netball Equipment

As per netball rules, it is an activity that needs the use of specialized equipment. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, having the proper equipment is critical to your performance on the field. We will discuss all the netball equipment you need, including the ball, shoes, and other accessories.

Netball Ball

The netball is the first and most essential item of equipment. Netball balls have a slightly smaller size and lighter weight than basketballs. The ball must be of the proper size and weight to meet formal netball rules. 

It has 27–28 inches in circumference and weighs 400-450 g. Choose a ball with a superb grip to make it easy to handle. Leather and rubber are materials used to make balls. Although it is a durable option, it is also expensive. 

Netball Uniforms & Bibs:

Netball bibs are a pair of colored bibs worn over the uniform by each participant. The bibs bear a number that correlates to the player’s location on the court. During the game, this simplifies identifying individuals, as everyone can quickly identify each other. They frequently made bibs of lightweight, breathable fabrics to keep participants cool and comfy during games.

As per netball rules, a netball uniform serves many crucial purposes beyond just making the players appear good on the field, including enhancing performance and ensuring their comfort and safety. It must have the player’s position and name on the front and back of the jersey. The outfit usually includes a tight top and wide-legged pants or a skirt, which enables the wearer to move freely on the court.

Netball Shoes:

The proper netball shoe is court particular and made to endure the side to side and stop and start movements needed to play the game, as outlined in netball rules regarding proper footwear for safety and performance. 

For the feet and legs, netball shoes provided stability and support. It also had an excellent grip on the field. A decent netball shoe has a low heel, a grip bottom, a compressed midsole, a wrapped rubber, and a structured outside. Look for sneakers with non-marking soles that will not leave scuff lines on the floor. 

Netball Posts and Rings:

Netball posts are tall, slender structures at either end of the court. They consist of a metal pole, a base, and a hoop. The height of the netball post for seniors is 3.05 m (10ft) high and 380 mm in diameter, as specified in the netball rules. Meanwhile, for junior players, the height of the post can be adjusted to either 8ft or 9ft, depending on the age group and skill level, following the netball rules.

The standard width range of netball poles is from 65 mm to 100 mm. However, many practice and youth posts have a post diameter of 50 mm. The rod that connects the ring to the primary post and extends horizontally to the ground measures 150 mm (5.91 inches) in length.

The netball post holds a hoop-shaped ring similar to that of a basketball.

Netball circles are 15 inches in circumference and extend 6 inches from the posts. 

Netball court

A netball court is rectangular, measuring 30.5 meters in length and 15.25 meters in breadth. In the middle, there is a central circular that divides the court into thirds, as per netball rules.

The goal poles are 3.05 meters high and located at each end of the arena. A 38 cm brass ring connects the supports. Each end of the court has a semicircular throwing range with a radius of 4.9 meters, as per netball rules.

To ensure safety, builders typically use hard materials like wood or concrete to make the floor of the netball court. Lines of various colors designate the central circle, shooting circles, and goal regions on the ground.

It is essential to routinely keep the court to preserve the durability and safety of the goalposts and the ring. To avoid sliding or getting hurt, players should also wear suitable footwear.

Netball Net:

The net catches the ball when anyone scores a goal. You should use a durable net and attach it securely to the hoop. Make sure to size the net correctly as per netball rules. Avoid making the net too loose or too tight.

Netball scoreboard

The netball scoreboard monitors the game and decides the victor for both participants and observers.

The monitor usually shows the final score for each team, the amount of time left in the match, and how many timeouts each team has left. 

The scoreboard allows spectators to follow the score and cheer for their preferred team actively and enthusiastically during the game.

Netball Whistle:

The umpire blows the whistle to start and end the game as per netball rules. It also signals fouls, timeouts, and other important events during play. Please search for a whistle that produces a well-balanced sound and does not cause discomfort.

Netball Training Equipment:

You can use several types of training equipment. Some examples include agility cones, resistance bands, and training balls to improve your skills. These include rebound nets, training balls, cones, and agility ladders. Rebound nets are relevant for practicing your passing and shooting.

While training balls, improve your grip and ball control. You can use cones and agility ladders for footwork and agility drills.

Netball Players’ playing positions

Players wear wristbands with alphabets on them during netball games. Specific areas of the court have restrictions on the use of these wristbands.

Netball’s seven roles are as follows:

Goal Shooter (GS) 

The vital duty of this individual is to make goals, and they usually stay in the shooting area as per netball rules.

Goal Attack (GA) 

This character collaborates with the Goal Shooter to help in goal scoring. They have complete freedom of movement in the offensive third of the court.

Wing Attack (WA) 

This player passes the ball to the goal circle and plays on the offensive third of the court.

Centre (C) 

 According to the netball rules, the player stands in the middle of the court and is to pass the ball between the offensive and defending thirds of the court.

Wing Defence (WD) 

This individual defends the rival team’s Wing Attack while playing on the defensive third of the floor as per netball rules.

Goal Defense (GD) 

This individual defends the rival team’s Goal Attack while playing in the defensive third of the court.

Goalkeeper (GK) 

The crucial duty of this player is to protect the team’s goalpost and keep the opposing team from scoring. They usually keep to the protective shooting area.

Netball players must possess a combination of physical and cerebral abilities to succeed. These abilities include speed, agility, endurance, accuracy, and teamwork. Athletes need good communication skills because it’s essential for the team’s performance in the field.

Netball Rules

The abundance of netball rules should not prevent you from participating in it. Netball, at its heart, is a game similar to basketball in that it emphasizes cooperation, throwing, and shooting.

Here are some of the crucial concepts of netball to get you started. You already know about the netball court and netball post rule. So now time to move to the following netball rules.

The players: 

You already know that each side has seven players on the floor‌, according to the netball rules. The positions are goal shooter, goal attack, wing attack, center, wing defense, goal defense, and goalkeeper.

The developers created the netball game for girls and women as per the netball rules. Those who played it ‌still find it the most popular, even though it now receives outside support at the elite and national levels, with netball rules being refined and updated to enhance the game.

Men’s and mixed-gender teams are mainly self-funded, even if there are male netball teams in some places. 

In 1985, men’s netball games grew in Australia, and they played the first men’s championship. Men’s national teams exist in the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Pakistan, Canada, Fiji, and Jamaica.

Starting of the game

The team that did not win the toss takes the center passes to begin the game. In the netball game, the team that did not win the toss must take the center pass from the middle of the court and pass it to a teammate in the attacking third. The game begins when a player passes the ball into the attacking third, according to netball rules.

Passing the Ball 

According to the netball rules, players must only use their hands to pass the ball to their teammates. After catching the ball, they must release it within three seconds of taking one stride. When players jump with the ball, they cannot toss it or move with it without passing it as per the netball rules.

Scoring Goals

The opposing team scores a goal by hurling the ball through the goalpost. According to the netball rules, players are required to release the ball from within the designated shooting circle. A shooting circle is a semicircular space surrounding the goalpost. The GS and GA are the only ones permitted to make goal-scoring attempts.

Contract

Netball does not allow players to touch their opponents physically because it is a non-contact sport. As per netball rules, any physical contact with an opposing player gives the other team a free pass. 

Time Limit

There is a 3-minute break between each quarter and a 5-minute rest halfway through each netball game. If there is a tie, the officials may decide the winner by adding extra time to the event.

Netball is a team sport that demands skill, strategy, and collaboration. You should know the full official netball rules to play it fluently. So, if you’re searching for a fun and demanding team sport to enjoy, give netball a shot!

How to Play

Learning to play netball is simple and enjoyable. If you are an experienced player or new to the game, that does not matter. I can guide you on how to play netball with easy-to-follow steps.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Netball

 As per netball rules, two teams of seven players each play a netball game on a rectangular court. Players score goals by shooting the ball through hoops at each end of the court. The team that scores the highest number of goals by the end of the game is declared the winner.

Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with the Court

They divide the court into thirds, with each team defending one-third and attacking the other team’s third.  After scoring goals, players can start and restart the game in the center circle.

Attacking players can score goals in the shooting circle. Only attacking players are allowed to go into the shooting circle.

The attacking team’s players can score goals in the shooting circle, and only they are permitted to enter this zone. 

Step 3: Get to Know the Positions

 As per netball rules, there are seven positions in a netball game, and each has a specific role to play:

• Goalkeeper (GK): Defends the shooting circle and tries to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
• Goal Defense (GD): Helps the goalkeeper defend the shooting circle and intercept passes.
• Wing Defense (WD): Covers the center third of the court and tries to intercept passes.
• Center (C): Plays in the center third of the court and passes the ball to the attacking players.
• Wing Attack (WA): Helps the center move the ball into the attacking third and feeds the ball to the shooters.
• Goal Attack (GA): According to netball rules, the player collaborates with the shooter to score goals and also helps to create shooting opportunities.
• Goal Shooter (GS): The primary goalscorer who hits the ball through the hoop.

Step 4: Understand the Netball Rules

Netball game has several rules, including

• Players cannot run with the ball or dribble it like in basketball.
• Only two players from each team can be in the shooting circle.
• Players cannot contact each other or the ball unless trying to intercept a pass.
• Players must pass the ball within three seconds of receiving it.

Step 4: Developing the Basic Skills

In a netball game, players must actively pass, catch, shoot, and defend using their range of skills. To improve your skills, start by practicing the following basic techniques:

• Passing: There are several types of passes in netball, including chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes. Practice these passes with a partner or against a wall to improve accuracy and speed.
• Catching: Catching the ball is essential in a netball game. Practice catching the ball with both hands and work on your hand-eye coordination.
• Shooting: Shooting is one of the most critical skills in the netball game. Practice shooting from different angles and distances, and work on your technique to improve your accuracy.
• Defending: To be an effective defender, you need to be quick on your feet and have excellent timing. Practice intercepting passes and blocking shots to improve your defensive skills.

Step 5: Start Playing

To start the game, the two teams line up in their thirds, and the center passes the ball to a teammate. Players must pass the ball to each other; they cannot run with it or dribble, like in basketball. Once the ball is in the attacking third, the attacking team tries to get the ball to the shooter, so they can score a goal.

Step 6: Improve Your Skills

Netball games require good hand-eye coordination, agility, and teamwork. To improve your skills, practice passing and catching the ball, moving quickly on the court, and working with your teammates. You can also watch professional netball games to see how the pros play and learn new strategies.

To conclude, anyone can enjoy playing netball games, regardless of age or ability level. To become a great netball player, you can actively understand the basics, familiarize yourself with the positions, and practice your skills. So grab a ball, find some friends, and start playing!

Netball Variants

These variations add a unique spin to the regular game and can be a fun way to switch up your netball routine. It will look at some of the most common netball variations.

Fast5 Netball:

The game is unique. It has five players on each team instead of seven.

It is a faster-paced variation of the netball game, with each quarter lasting only six minutes rather than the typical 15. 

The team can earn double points for a specific length of time during power plays. It also has a different scoring system, with shots from outside the circle earning two or three points.

Beach Netball

Beach Netball is a variation of netball games. Players play Beach Netball on sand instead of a hard court. It’s a terrific way to play it in a more relaxed and casual environment. Four or five players on each team play beach netball games.

The court is smaller than a standard netball court. It has different regulations for ball handling, and footwork is different.

Indoor Netball

Players play Indoor Netball on a smaller court. Six players on each team play the game, and they surround the court with nets so that the ball never goes out of bounds. Players can bounce the ball off the walls, and the game has different rules. 

Walking Netball

It is suitable for players who are older or unable to run around the court.

Players are not allowed to run or jump because of the slow pace. It is a great way to stay active and enjoy it in a more relaxed setting.

Mixed Netball

Both male and female players took part in the game on each team. It is a great way to enjoy it with friends or family and offers a unique twist to the traditional game. Seven players take part in the game on each team. Regulations specify how many males and females can be on the court‌.

Major Tournaments

Like any other sport, netball also has international tournaments that bring together the best teams from different countries to compete against each other.

International netball tournaments happen globally, and we will examine them more closely. From the Commonwealth Games to the Netball World Cup, these tournaments offer a magnificent platform for netball players to showcase their skills and compete against the best in the world. 

Netball in Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event. It is held every four years, featuring athletes from over 50 countries. Netball game has been a part of the Commonwealth Games since 1998, and the tournament has become one of the most prestigious netball events in the world.

The tournament features 12 teams, including Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa, and many more. They divide the teams into two pools, and the top two teams from each pool qualify for the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals play in the final for the gold medal.

Netball World Cup

It is the pinnacle of international netball games, and it takes place every four years. Sixteen teams will compete in the tournament, with 12 of them being the highest-ranked teams globally and the other four units qualifying through regional tournaments. 

Players compete in a round-robin stage during the world championship. In the knockout rounds, the ultimate winner has crowned the world champion.

The Netball World Cup is a highly competitive tournament, and it has seen some intense battles between the top teams in the world.

Quad Series

Four of the top netball nations in the world – Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa – took part in a tournament called the Quad Series. The contest takes place between them. Each team plays three games during the event, which takes place over two weekends.

They declared the team with the most points at the end of the tournament the winner. The Quad Series is a prominent opportunity for these four teams to test their skills against each other. It has become a popular event among netball game fans globally.

Fast5 Netball World Series

The Fast5 Netball World Series tournament includes the world’s top six ranked netball teams and a team from the host nation.

Teams play five-a-side netball games in a fast-paced format during the Fast 5 netball world series. They also use power plays to score double points.

The teams play the tournament for two days, and the top four teams qualify for the semi-finals. The Fast5 Netball World Series is a prominent showcase for netball games. It has attracted a lot of attention from fans globally.

Africa’s Netball Cup

It is an annual tournament organized by the Confederation of African Netball Associations that brings together the top netball teams from across Africa. 

Eight teams, including South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, play in a round-robin format in the tournament. 

In the round-robin stage, the top four teams advance to the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals play in the final to compete for the championship title.

Asian Netball Championship

It organizes a biennial tournament that showcases the best netball teams from Asia. Teams like Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia participated in the event. They play in a round-robin format. In the round-robin stage, the top four teams advance to the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals play in the final to compete for the championship title.

Pacific Netball Series

 It is a tournament that features the top netball teams from the Pacific region, including Fiji, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea. Each team plays the other once in a round-robin format during the tournament. The tournament declares the team with the most points at the end as the winner.

Nations Cup

Netball Singapore organizes the Nations Cup, an annual tournament that includes national netball teams globally. Scotland, Ireland, and Hong Kong are taking part in the contest.

The teams will play against every other team in a round-robin format. The top four teams from the round-robin stage will compete in the semi-finals. The winning teams from the semi-finals will play in the final to compete for the championship title.

Super Netball League

The tournament is annual. It features top netball teams. The taking part teams are of Australian and New Zealand origin. During the super netball league, each team plays against every other team twice in a round-robin format.

The semi-finals will feature the top four teams from the round-robin stage, and the winners of those matches will play in the final to determine the championship title.

Last Words

What a fantastic game! It was a very entertaining netball game, with both sides giving their all. Every moment had us on the tip of our seats, from the blazing passes to the jaw-dropping shots.

No matter what level of netball fan you are, everyone can enjoy this game.

 So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and give netball a shot! Netball provides something for everyone, whether you’re searching for a fun pastime to enjoy with friends or a serious sport to take your talents to the next level.

I trust that the information provided was helpful and informative. Thank you for taking the time to read it. Please leave your questions in the comments below, and Sports Dribble will provide additional updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Thank you once more for your time and consideration!

Krishanu

My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.

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