Playing netball to instructions under the Rules of Netball 2024

25 min

Seven players, seven jobs

Netball is the only major team game in which every player's area is fixed by her position: a Goal Keeper who steps into the centre third is offside. That makes the coach's instructions precise. Each player knows exactly where she may go and what she must do there. In this lesson you play full matches to instructions under World Netball's Rules of Netball, 2024 edition, the current international rules, with pupils as umpires, scorers and timekeepers.

Definition

Offside: entering an area of the court that your position does not allow, with or without the ball.

Simultaneous infringement: two opposing players breaking a rule at exactly the same moment. Since 2024 there is no toss-up: the ball goes to the team that last had possession.

Tactical change: a substitution or a change of positions made for tactical reasons; since 2024 teams may make them immediately after a goal, as well as at intervals.

The court and the positions

Rules for match play (Rules of Netball, 2024 edition)

Topic	Rule
Teams	Up to 12 players; 7 on court: GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD, GK, each wearing the letters of her position.
Time	4 quarters of 15 minutes; 4-minute intervals after the first and third quarters; half-time 12 minutes (8 by agreement). School matches agree shorter quarters beforehand.
Ball	690 to 710 mm round, 400 to 450 g.
Starting play	Centre passes alternate between the teams, whoever scored. The first pass must be caught in the centre third.
With the ball	3 seconds to pass or shoot; landing-foot footwork; no short passes; the ball must be caught or touched in every third.
Scoring	GS or GA, from inside the goal circle. A shot released before the whistle ends a period counts if it goes in.
Penalties	Free pass for minor infringements (offside, footwork, 3 seconds); penalty pass, or penalty pass or shot in the circle, for contact and obstruction.
No toss-up (2024)	For simultaneous infringements, possession goes to the team that last had the ball.

Following the coach's instructions

Before the match: the coach sets the centre-pass play (for example "WA drives to the side line, GA is second option"), the defensive plan (player-to-player, or a zone in the centre third), and which player takes the circle edge for rebounds.
During play: call for the ball ("Here!", "Space!"), and warn teammates ("Behind you!"). The Centre directs the team.
After a goal: the captain can ask the umpire to hold time for a tactical change.
Umpires: two umpires, each controlling one half of the court lengthwise and one side line; they signal each penalty and the direction of play.

Video: "2024 Rules Update - Tactical Changes", World Netball. The governing body explains when a team may now make tactical changes, and how the umpire holds time.

Worked example: what is the decision?

The WD runs into the opponents' goal circle to intercept. She is offside (WD may never enter a goal circle): a free pass to the opponents where she infringed.
The GA and the opposing GD contact each other at exactly the same moment, each interfering with the other: a mutual infringement. Team Inyange had the ball last, so Team Inyange is given possession where the ball was when play stopped. There is no toss-up.
As the whistle blows to end the third quarter, the GS's shot is already in the air and goes in. The goal counts.

Tip

Read the bib. Before every match, check your bib and say your areas aloud: "WA: centre third and attacking third, not the circle." Most offside calls in school matches come from forgetting the circles.

Warning

Fair play and safety. Rings and long nails are not allowed; nails must be short. Warm up the ankles and practise landing, since sprained ankles are the commonest netball injury. Accept the umpire's decisions; only the captain may ask for an explanation, at an interval.

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Practice

Give the length and width of a netball court and the radius of the goal circle.
Which positions may enter the attacking goal circle?
Which position may go into all three thirds, and where may she not go?
How long is a quarter, and how long is half-time?
What replaced the toss-up in the 2024 rules?
The GK steps into the centre third while marking. What is the decision?
The opponents' GS is scoring from close range all the time. Write two instructions for your GK and GD.
Plan a 40-minute class match for 21 pupils so that everyone plays and someone umpires.

Show answersHide answers

30.5 m by 15.25 m; 4.9 m.
GS and GA (of the attacking team) and GK and GD (of the defending team).
The Centre; she may not enter either goal circle.
15 minutes; 12 minutes (or 8 by agreement).
Possession is given to the team that last had the ball before the simultaneous infringement.
Offside: a free pass to the opponents where she infringed.
Example: GK stands in front of the GS to deny her the space near the post; GD helps by dropping into the circle when the ball is on the GS's side; both defend the shot from 0.9 m and box out for rebounds.
Example: three teams of 7; two play 8-minute quarters while the third provides two umpires, a scorer and a timekeeper and practises shooting; rotate each quarter so every team plays two quarters and officiates one.

Remember

Court 30.5 m × 15.25 m in thirds; goal circle radius 4.9 m; posts 3.05 m.
Know your area: offside gives a free pass.
4 × 15 minutes; centre passes alternate; 3 seconds; ball touched in every third.
2024: no toss-up; tactical changes after a goal; a shot in the air when the whistle blows still counts.

1Seven players, seven jobs

2The court and the positions

3Rules for match play (Rules of Netball, 2024 edition)

4Following the coach's instructions

Seven players, seven jobs

The court and the positions

Rules for match play (Rules of Netball, 2024 edition)

Following the coach's instructions