The Game
The positions in a netball team are as follows:
GS – Goal Shooter – Can move anywhere within the attacking third of the court but cannot leave it.
GA – Goal Attack – Can move anywhere within the attacking third and the centre third of the court.
WA – Wing Attack – Can move within the attacking third and centre third, with the exception of the shooting circle.
C – Centre – Can move anywhere across the court, apart from either of the shooting circles.
WD – Wing Defence – Can move within the centre third and the defensive third, with the exception of the shooting circle.
GD – Goal Defence – Can move anywhere within the attacking third and the centre third of the court.
GK – Goal Keeper – Can move anywhere within the defensive third of the court but cannot leave it.
Where the teams have male players
A maximum of 3 males may take the court at one time (one in each third). If playing with 3 males on court positions are GK, C & GS.
With 2 males on court they can choose to play in either GK, C or GS.
If only 1 male is on court they can play in any of the 7 positions’ as they are the only male.
Positioning of players for start of play
All players should be behind the transverse line before the centre player gets into the centre circle before the umpire blows their whistle.
If one player enters the Centre Third before the whistle is blown, a free pass is awarded to the opposing team where the infringement occurred.
The Centre in possession of the ball shall stand within the Centre Circle, on either one or both feet. (not on the centre circle line)
The opposing Centre shall be in the Centre Third, and free to move.
Start of Play
The umpire shall blow the whistle to start and end play.
Play shall be started, and restarted after every goal scored, and after each interval, by a Centre circle pass.
When the whistle is blown the Centre in possession of the ball shall pass it to a player within the centre third.
The Centre pass shall be caught or touched by any player:
Playing the Ball
A player may:
Tip the ball in an uncontrolled manner once or more than once and then; (a) catch the ball (b) direct the ball to another player
Having batted or bounced the ball once, either catch the ball or direct the ball to another player.
You may fall with the ball and pass the ball on the way down but a fallen player may not play the ball while on the ground.
Lean on the ball to prevent going offside or lean on the ball on court to gain balance
Jump from a grounded onside position and play the ball with landing outside the court, provided that neither the player or the ball make contact with the ground outside.
Shooters may shoot the ball in a straight up right stance eg no lay ups where they are on a diagonal motion to the hoop.
A player may not:
Strike the ball with a fist or open hand.
Fall on the ball to gain possession.
Attempt to gain possession of, or throw the ball while lying, sitting or kneeling on the ground
You may not use the goalpost to regain balance; or as a support in recovering the ball from going out of court
Deliberately kick the ball.
Roll the ball to anyone including themselves.
Centre Pass
Over a Third
The ball may not be thrown over a complete third without being touched or caught by a player.
A player, who lands on both feet simultaneously with one foot wholly within the correct third and the other in the incorrect third, shall be penalised.
Short Pass
Footwork & Contact Rules
Obstruction
To defend a player with the ball you must be 3 feet away from the player’s first grounded foot.
If a player steps back or to the side, you must still be 3 feet from the player’s first grounded foot.
A player will be penalized for obstructing an opposing player that is not in possession of the ball if they are with the 3 feet distance of that player and they employ any movements which take their arms away from their body
Within this distance a player is not obstructing if their arms are outstretched to:
Catch, deflect or intercept a pass or fake a pass.
Obtain a rebound from an unsuccessful shot at goal.
Momentarily signal for a pass or to indicate their intended direction of movement.
Out of Court
Power Play
Each team will pick one quarter as a Power Play when any goals scored within that quarter will be doubled.
The Power Play quarter must be notified by the team captain before the game starts.
Goal shoot and goal attack may shoot from inside or outside of the Goal Circle.
All successful goals from outside the Goal Circle will be worth double i.e. two points. (In a Power Play inside the circle 2 points and outside 4 Points)
There is no Umpire whistle after a goal is scored.
Rolling Substitutions
Unlimited number of rolling substitutions per team per quarter is allowed. Each team may make any number of rolling substitutions at any one time.
A rolling substitute may enter the game while play is in progress.
Professional Foul
Infringements taken at the umpire’s discretion, as a penalty pass or a shot at goal undefended.
No intentional throwing the ball at another opposing player/body.
No physical contact with an opponents head or face if this happens the player that made the contact will be sent off for 2 minutes.
A deliberate delay of play anytime during the duration of the game may result in the Umpire awarding the non-offending team with an advanced gain on the court and/or a penalty pass or shot.
Umpires
The umpire(s) shall have sole control of the game.
The decision of the Umpire shall be final and shall be given without appeal.
The ball shall be played live if it comes into contact with an Umpire during play, but if such contact interferes with the course of the game, the Umpire may decide to have a toss ball between two opposing players in that area of play.
Indicate when an infringement of the rules has been made.
Intimidation or decent of an umpire will not tolerated and this will result in the player being stood down if it continues. This includes eye rolls, remarks, swearing and inappropriate attitudes.
The Umpire shall:
Refrain from penalizing an infringement of the rules when by doing so the non-offending team would be placed, at a disadvantage. In this instance the Umpire may call ‘ADVANTAGE’ or use hand signals to indicate an infringement has been observed but not penalized. Having blown the whistle for an infringement, the Umpire must award the penalty.
Not criticize or coach any team while a game is in progress.
State the infringement and penalty and may use hand signals to clarify decisions.
Answer questions regarding clarification of rules from team Captains only and only at quarter breaks or at the conclusion of the game.
Advise each team of the correct score at each quarter break.
Adjudicate the rules contained in this book both consistently and without bias.
Blood Bin
Any players with bleeding wounds must leave the court immediately. At the time the player is blood binned, the Umpire will ensure any equipment that is blood marked is replaced IMMEDIATELY and let play continue. A blood binned player must be checked by an umpire or supervisor before taking the court again, the blood binned player may be replaced while the blood is being cleaned.
Children
Competition Scoring
