Like the 7 a-side layout, the player positions marked in the court diagram above show two teams with named player roles. These are the start-of-play positions; only the Centre players are allowed in the middle third at start (or restart after a goal).
The positions are described in the following table:
| Role | Position | Court Coverage | Opposition | Can Shoot? |
| GS | Goal Shooter | Centre third and opposition's goal third including shooting circle | GK | Yes |
| GA | Goal Attack | Centre third and opposition's goal third including shooting circle | GD | Yes |
| C | Centre | All court thirds except shooting circles | C | No |
| GK | Goal Keeper | Centre third and own third including shooting circle | GS | No |
| GD | Goal Defence | Centre third and own third including shooting circle | GA | No |
Rules flashcard
There are five players in a team and each have their own position and role. Each player is only allowed to move in a defined area of the court. Team-work and strong passing skills are very important to progress the ball throughout the playing area Two players (GA and GS) are allowed to score goals, & must be completely inside the opponent's shooting circle. There is no backboard on the hoop (unlike basketball) Played with a size 4 ball No dribbling or continuous bouncing of the ball No running with the ball Cannot hold the ball for more than 4 seconds Cannot take (or smash) the ball out of the opposition's hands Each goal is worth 1 point The ball cannot be passed across more than two of the marked court thirds with it touching another player
|
Playing the game & applying the rules
Duration of play
Matches should be four 6 minute quarters, with 2 minutes at each interval. Team should change ends at each interval. (This is only loosely adhered to in common practice; commonly the game may be played in two 6+ minute halves, with a 2 minutes break at the half-time interval)
Start of play
Play is started by a pass from the 'Centre', who stands with both feet in the centre circle. At the start of play, the GS, GA, GD and GK may be anywhere in their correct goal third (See court plan above), which is part of the playing area. The opposing Centre shall be in the centre third and free to move about and mark opposition players.
When the umpire blows the whistle, the Centre must pass the ball within 4 seconds and obey the Footwork rule. The ball must be caught or touched in the centre third. Everyone must observe the 1 metre Distance rule.
Playing The Ball
A player must
A player may not
Deliberately kick the ball
Bounce the ball more than once
Hand or roll the ball to another player
Place their hands on a ball held by an opponent
Throw the ball while sitting / lying on the ground
Use the goalpost as support in receiving a ball going out of court or to gain balance
Throw the ball over a complete third without it being touched or caught by another player in that third
Regain possession of the ball, having dropped or thrown it, before it has been touched by another player
Footwork
A player may receive the ball with one foot grounded or may jump to catch and land on one foot. While that landing foot remains on the ground the other foot may be moved in any direction and any number of times, pivoting on the landing foot if desired. Hopping though. is not allowed.
A player may receive the ball whilst both feet are grounded, or may jump to catch and land on both feet simultaneously. The player may then choose to move either foot and the remaining foot shall then be considered to be the landing foot. Again, pivotting on the landed foot is allowed.
Scoring A Goal
A goal is scored when the ball passes completely through the ring from top to bottom. A goal may only be scored by the Goal Shooter or the Goal Attack playing the ball from any part of the shooting circle.
Defending, Obstruction and Contact
When a player is holding the ball, the distance on the ground between that player's landing foot and the nearer foot of an opponent must be at least 1 metre. Defending the ball in a player's hand by outstretching the arms is not permitted. The player with the ball must be permitted an unimpeded throwing or shooting action. ONE JUMP to intercept a throw or shot at goal is permitted provided that the player is at least 1 metre away and that the arms are not outstretched prior to the jump. Jumping up and down in front of a player is not permitted.
Netball is a non-contact game. No player shall knock or push an opponent or interfere with his/her play, either accidentally or deliberately.
Out Of Court
A ball is out of court when it, or a player touching it, touches the ground or an object outside the court. The line counts as part of the court. A throw-in is awarded to the opposing team. If the ball hits the post and bounces back into court, it is still in play.
The Throw In
The throw in is taken at the point where the ball crossed the line. Any player allowed in that part of the court may take the throw in and must stand outside the court with both feet behind the line. When the player taking the throw-in has checked that all other players are on court, she/he must release the ball within 4 seconds.
Offside
A player is offside if she/he enters an area of the court in which she/he is not allowed.
A Free Pass
A free pass is awarded to a team for any infringement of the rules EXCEPT obstruction and contact. A player may not shoot directly from a free pass.
A Penalty Pass
A penalty pass or shot is awarded to a team against any player causing obstruction or contact. A player may shoot if the penalty is awarded inside the circle. The offending player must stand still beside the player taking the pass. A free pass, or a penalty pass or shot, is taken from the point where the infringement occurred and may be taken by any member of the team allowed in that part of the court.
The Toss Up
The umpire takes a toss up when 2 opposing players simultaneously :
Gain possession of the ball
Knock the ball out of court
Are offside with the ball
Contact each other and neither player gains possession
when the umpire is unsure about which player is responsible for an infringement
when it is unknown who has possession of the ball when the game is stopped for injury.
The two players stand facing each other and the goal into which their team is shooting. They stand with their arms at their sides and their feet in any position, with 1 metre between one player's front foot and that of his/her opponent. The umpire flicks the ball not more than 60cm (2ft) into the air from the point midway between the players and just below shoulder level of the shorter player's normal standing position. The whistle is blown as the umpire releases the ball. The ball is now in play.
During intervals, it is normal practice to rotate the positions in a particular order. This ensures that each player gets to sample more than one playing role (substitutions permitting). During tournaments, there is usually an official monitoring the teams to ensure they are rotating according to the set order. Team disqualification is normally the penalty for abusing the rotation system. |
| Squad of 7 rotation plan | Squad of 8 rotation plan | Squad of 9 rotation plan |  |  |  |
|