How do I play netball?
To play netball correctly, you absolutely need the rules. We have summarized these for you and explained them in detail so that there are no misunderstandings during the game.
What is netball?
Netball is a team sport and will remind some of you of basketball. Compared to basketball, however, it is not primarily played in the USA and men (although the sport is now played all over the world), but mainly in Great Britain, New Zealand and South Africa. Here in Germany it is still relatively unknown, while in Namibia it has been a national sport since 2018.
In the meantime, a real fan base has even been created, which is why world championships have taken place every 4 years since 1963. Australia is way ahead and has already won the title 11 times. New Zealand, on the other hand, holds the record for the international World Series, which has been played since 2009.
General information about the game
Goal of the game
One team needs to make more baskets than the other to win.
Team
A team consists of 7 players. There are a total of 14 players on the field. There are also 4 substitutes.
Players must wear the designation of their position on their jersey.
Attacker / goal attack (middle third and attacking third (incl. goal circle)
Main attacker / goal shooter (attack third (incl. goal circle))
Outside attacker / wing attack (middle third and attacking third (without goal circle))
Center (all thirds (without goal circle)
External defender / wing defense (defense third and middle third (without goal circle))
TorverdeidigerIn / goal defense (defense third and middle third (incl. goal circle))
Goalkeeper (defense third (incl. goal circle))
The marking is crucial for the referee.
Ball
You play with a hollow ball made of (artificial) leather with a diameter of 69 to 71 cm and a weight of 400-450 grams.
Matchfield
As a rule, you play netball on a so-called hard court. This means a floor that has a plastic laid on concrete and is therefore less slippery. Some of you know the hard court from tennis, for example. However, you can also play in the park or somewhere else if you don’t have a hard court available.
The field itself is 15.25 x 30.5 meters and there is a 3.05 meter high basket on each of the narrow sides (similar to basketball). It is provided with a white-lined semicircle and is called “gate circle”.
Center circle
In the middle of the playing field is the 90 cm center circle. The game starts from this circle and is restarted from here after every interruption.
The third lines divide the field into three-thirds:
- the attacking third
- the middle third
- defense third
Markings are e.g. all lines on the playing field, which must all be at least 5 cm wide and are considered part of the playing field.
This is how you play netball
The game always begins with the center player in the center circle and passing the ball. Two players face each other at a minimum distance of 90 cm in the center circle and the Schieri throws the ball up. The players try to win the ball, but are not allowed to touch or even obstruct each other. From there, each team tries to keep possession of the ball in order to make a basket.
The Netball Rules
How does the team collect points?
In netball you can only score if you are in the semicircle in front of the basket and hit it from there. Furthermore, not every player can score a point:
- attacker
- main attacker
- You can all pass the ball with passes, but not with dribbles.
How can you move?
- Dribbling and running with the ball are prohibited
- Pass the ball within a few seconds with a pass
- maximum one step
- depending on the position, a certain area of the field may not be left
- landing with one foot on the ground when catching allows a star step
- when taking off with the landing foot, the ball must be released before the foot touches the ground
- bilateral footstand or landing allows a star step
- at least three feet of space between opponents
Passport Rules
- make sure there is enough space between you and a third player
- Do not throw the ball the full length of the field (at least one player per third)
Rule violations
- hold the ball
- Foot fault, the player in possession of the ball is only allowed to take one step, not a second
- Offside, the player in possession of the ball is not allowed to leave her zone
