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Netball

What is netball?

Definition: A team game that resembles basketball; a soccer ball is to be thrown so that it passes through a ring on the top of a post

Netball is a fast, skilful team game based on running, jumping, throwing and catching. Teams may include up to 12 players but only 7 may take the court at any one time.

Each player has a playing position determined by the areas on the court where they may move. The playing positions are shown by identification letters worn above the waist, on both the front and the back of the player. Those positions are GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD and GK. The playing areas are highlighted in orange on the court below if you move the cursor over the paying position.

The major aim of the game is to score as many goals as is possible from within an area called the Goal Circle, which is a semi-circle centred on the goal line and measuring 4.9 metres in radius (16 feet). Only two players from each team may score goals, the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter.

Officials

Match Officials are two umpires, two scorers and two timekeepers.

Team Officials are the Coach, Assistant Coach, Manager, Captain and up to two Primary Care Personnel who are qualified to diagnose and treat injury or illness (for example Doctor and/or Physiotherapist).
 

Equipment

The Ball is made of leather, rubber or similar material, weighing 400 - 450 gms (14 - 16 ounces) and measuring 690 - 710 mms (27 - 28 inches) in circumference.

The Court is 30.5 metres (100 feet) long and 15.25 metres (50 feet) wide, which is divided into thirds. There is a center circle with a diameter of 0.9 metres (3 feet) and two goal circles which are semi-circles measuring 4.9 metres (16 feet) in radius.

All lines are part of the court and measure 50mm (2 inches) in width.

The Goal Posts are placed mid point of each goal line and measure 3.05 metres (10 feet) in height. The goal rings have an internal diameter of 380mm (15 inches). The goal ring projects horizontally from the post on a single attachment measuring 150mm (6 inches) in length.

Playing Time

A game consists of 4 x 15 minute quarters with an interval of 3 minutes between the first and second and third and fourth quarters and a 5 minute half time interval. There is up to 2 minutes of time allowed for each injury.

The Playing Rules

The Rules may be placed into two generic groups, those which infringe only a rule and are called minor rules although they make up the majority of the rules, and those which infringe the rights of an opponent and consequently are called major rules.

The minor rules, among which are the infringements of held ball, stepping, breaking, offside and over a third, are penalized with a free pass. The major rules, which mainly consist of obstruction, intimidation, contact and discipline are penalized with a penalty pass or penalty pass or shot. In this penalty, the offender must stand out of play until the ball has left the thrower's hands.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Rules of Netball, Rules books may be purchased from any of the national netball associations that are affiliated to The International Federation of Netball Associations or from IFNA itself.

 

Next page are some of the pictures of some Netball Teams. -->