Area of play: The team’s goal third, excluding
the goal circle, and the centre third.
Netball Rules
Goal Defence (GD)
The chief role of the GD is to defend the ball
from reaching the opposing shooters. They
Positional Roles keep a close defence on the opposing team’s
GA.
Goal Shooter (GS) Area of play: The team’s goal third, including
The role of the GS is to score. The GS is not the goal circle and the centre third.
allowed to score a goal beyond the
perimeters of the goal circle. The outcome of Goal Keeper (GK)
the game depends on the number of shots The GK’s primary function is to guard the goal
put in by the GS. circle, defend the opposing shooters and
Area of play: The opposing team’s goal third, prevent them from scoring goals.
including the goal circle. Area of play: The team’s goal third, including
the goal circle.
Goal Attack (GA)
The GA is responsible for setting up offensive
plays and scoring goals, working closely with Basic Netball Rules
the GS
Match duration:
Area of play: The opposing team’s goal third,
4 x 15 minute quarters, with 3 minutes
including the goal circle, and the centre third.
between quarters, and a five-minute half time
break.
Wing Attack (WA)
The WA is chiefly responsible for moving the
Starting the game:
ball down from the centre third to the goal
The first pass is taken at the umpire’s whistle.
third and for feeding the ball into the
As each goal is scored, a new centre pass is
shooters’ hands, which includes both the GS
taken alternating between the two centre
and the GA.
players.
Area of play: The opposing team’s goal third,
excluding the goal circle, and the centre third.
Time to pass the ball:
Each player has up to 3 seconds to pass the
Centre (C)
ball before it is turned over to the opposition.
The Centre starts and restarts the game from
the centre circle each time a goal is scored.
Contact:
Centre’s are required to take the offensive by
A player cannot accidently or deliberately
shifting the ball from the defensive area to
come into contact with another player in a
the attacking side, and also switches to take a
way, which impedes their play. Players must
defensive stance when required.
not hold an opponent, nor keep their elbows
Area of play: Anywhere except the goal circles
against another player.
of both teams.
Obstruction:
Wing Defence (WD)
A player with arms extended cannot defend a
The WD is always on the defensive. They are
player with the ball, closer than 0.9m (3 feet).
responsible for defending the opposing
This distance is measured from the first
team’s players, mainly the WA, and for
landed foot of the attacking player to the
stopping the ball from reaching the goal
nearer foot of the defending player. A player
circle.
may stand closer to an opponent without the Stepping:
ball provided their arms are not extended. Shuffling on the spot is allowed to gain
balance before throwing, without moving
Over a third: down the court
The ball cannot be thrown over a complete
third without being touched by a player in Obstruction:
that third. A player defending an opposition player is
possession of the ball must defend from a
Out of court: distance of 1.2 meters (4 feet)
If the player has no contact with the ball, they
may stand or move out of the court. The ball Contact:
becomes out of court when: A player who contacts or obstructs will not be
- It touches the ground outside of court stood out of play. The whistle will be blown
- It touches an object or person in for the infringement, but play will continue
contact with the ground outside the after an explanation
court
- It is held by a player outside the court.
Sources:
Stepping: My Activities (n.d)
Upon landing, a player can pivot to change Netball Australia (2014)
direction using their non-grounded foot, Netball Australia (n.d)
whilst keeping one foot planted. They must
throw the ball before re-grounding the pivot
foot.
Playing the ball:
A player who has possession of the ball
cannot bounce the ball and re-gain possession
(replay). Once throwing the ball, a player
cannot play it again until it is touched by
another player. A player cannot:
- Punch, roll, kick or fall on the ball
- Gain or pass the ball in anyway while
lying, sitting or kneeling on the
ground
- Use the goal post as a way to regain
balance or as a support while
stopping the ball from going out of
court
Netta Rules
Match duration:
4 x 10 minute quarters
Time to pass the ball:
Up to 6 seconds
