How to Play Netball: A Guide for Beginners

If you're a Netball beginner, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all the rules and regulations. Don't worry, once you understand the gameplay basics you'll see that Netball is a fun and exciting sport that's easy to learn

If you enjoy a fast-paced sport full of excitement, then Netball is for you. It is a game that requires skill, strategy, and teamwork, making it an ideal sport for players of all ages and abilities.

In this ultimate beginner's guide, we will go over everything you need to know about netball and some of the most important rules.

We've all heard of this famous sport and even might have played during our school days. Netball is a team sport that is played between two teams of seven players each. The objective of the game is to score goals by throwing the ball through a ring that is mounted on a 10-foot-high (3m) pole. The team that scores the most goals at the end of the game wins!

Netball, developed in the late 19th century, evolved from basketball to suit women’s sports, with formal rules emerging in England by 1901. The game spread across British colonies, gaining popularity in nations like Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. At the time, it was called "women's basketball" and was played mainly by women in schools and colleges.

The sport quickly gained popularity and spread around the world, with the first international match being played between England and Australia in 1938. Governed internationally by World Netball since 1960, the first Netball World Cup was held in 1963 and it was recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 1995.

Have you ever watched a netball game and wondered how long it lasts? Well, the answer is that a netball game typically lasts around an hour, depending on how many breaks the teams take. Generally, teams play four quarters of 15 minutes each, with a 2-minute break between each quarter for teams to assess their performance and strategise for success in the next round. Interestingly enough, there are also rules which dictate that teams can only have seven players on court at any one time, making the challenge even more interesting!

The ball used in netball is made of leather or rubber and weighs between 14-16 ounces (roughly 400-450g). The ball must be passed, not dribbled or kicked, and can only be held for three seconds before it must be passed to another player.

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Netball can be played on both indoor and outdoor courts, making it a versatile sport that can be played all year round. Across the UK, there are various local clubs and leagues that offer players of all ages and abilities to get involved.

A typical netball court is divided into thirds. The centre third is where the game starts, and the other two-thirds are the goal thirds. Each goal third contains a goal circle, which is where the goals are scored. The goal circle has a radius of 4.9 meters, and the goalpost is 3.05 meters high.

To get started on how to play netball, divide up into two teams of seven players each - pick a team captain for added excitement. Each team consists of seven players on the court, with a goalkeeper, two wingers and four centre players. Now it’s time to have some fun!

Netball uses a unique system of rules that involve different positions that must not cross across the marked-out lanes. A full match is divided into 4 quarters. At the start of each quarter, the team that did not start with the centre pass in the previous quarter gets to start with the ball. If the game ends in a tie, the teams play two additional 7-minute halves. If the game is still tied after the additional time, a golden goal is used to determine the winner. The first team to score wins the game.

As you play, your aim should be to pass the ball along to your team members until one of them throws it through the parked net for a score – though watch out for switches in possession! With some creative strategies and well-coordinated plays, then you’ll soon become the netball master!

A full netball team is made up of seven players who each have their own important roles and specific positions on the court. Teamwork is crucial and they must communicate effectively, and support one another to ensure that they play to the best of their ability. Let's break each role down:

• Goal Shooter (GS) : This player is responsible for scoring the majority of the team's goals. They are positioned close to the goalpost and must have excellent shooting skills, accuracy, and coordination to score points for their team.
• Goal Attack (GA) : The goal attack works alongside the goal shooter and supports them by scoring goals and helping to create opportunities to shoot. They also help to transition the ball from the centre third to the goal circle.
• Wing Attack (WA) : The wing attack is responsible for setting up the attacking plays and helping to move the ball forward. They work closely with the centre player to ensure that the ball is moved quickly and efficiently up the court.
• Centre (C) : The centre player is like the quarterback of the team. They are responsible for directing the play and making sure that the ball is moved from one end of the court to the other. They also play a key role in both the attack and defence.
• Wing Defence (WD) : The wing defence player is responsible for marking the opposition's wing attack and preventing them from getting the ball. They must be agile, quick, and have excellent anticipation skills.
• Goal Defence (GD) : The goal defence player works to prevent the opposition's goal attack from scoring. They must be quick, agile, and have excellent timing to deflect shots and intercept passes.
• Goal Keeper (GK) : The goalkeeper is the last line of defence and must prevent the opposition's goal shooter from scoring. They must be tall, agile, and have excellent jumping ability to contest shots and rebound missed shots.

Now that we have covered the basics let's go over some of the most important rules of netball:

• Footwork:  A player must always have one foot on the ground when they catch the ball. They can then pivot on that foot, but they cannot hop or take any additional steps.
• Contact: Players are not allowed to make contact with other players on the court. If contact is made, a free pass is awarded to the opposing team.
• Obstruction:  Players are not allowed to obstruct the movement of another player. If a player obstructs another player, a free pass is awarded to the opposing team.
• Offside: Players must stay in their designated third of the court, with the exception of the centre who is allowed in all thirds. If a player goes offside, a free pass is awarded to the opposing team.
• Out of Court: If the ball goes out of court, the opposing team is awarded a throw-in from where the ball went out.
• Scoring: A goal is scored when the ball is thrown or batted above and completely through the ring by a Goal Shooter or a Goal Attack from any point within the goal circle including the lines bounding the goal circle.