A Beginner's Guide to Netball Rules
Given the fact that many people in the United States have never even heard of the game, it is not surprising that they also have no clue as to netball rules and regulations. The very fact that Americans in general are unaware that the game of netball exists is somewhat surprising, considering that the game evolved from basketball. It is now considered to be the leading women’s sport in Australia.
Origin of Netball
Netball emerged onto the sports arena back in the late 1890’s. Its parent sport, basketball, had been invented a mere four years earlier by a man named James Naismith, who wanted a game for his male students to play. The ladies became interested in his game, which was originally played outdoors in the grass. The female teachers quickly realized that the clothing worn by the ladies would certainly inhibit them from playing the game as designed for the boys, especially with dribbling the ball and running the field. Rather than discard the idea of playing, the female teachers simply decided to alter the game to fit with a more feminine style of playing; the beginnings of women’s basketball.
In order to get a better understanding of the mechanics of the game, a gym teacher named Clara Baer asked Naismith to outline on paper the rules of basketball, which he did. He included some illustrations of the formation of play and positions of players. The drawings were rather unclear in their intent, and Clara Baer interpreted them the best she could, developing as she did the “zoning areas”, and the beginning of the game of netball. The game spread across the ocean to England, where it was played at Madame Osterburg’s College, but didn’t stop there. Soon, netball was being played in Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and Antigua. A draft of rules for the game was drawn up and the game evolved into a competitive sport in 1901, but the rules were highly fluid. The result was that different versions of the game were being played in different areas. Equipment was inefficient, as well; the nets resembled fishing nets, holding the ball captive until the umpire rescued it for continuing play. It wasn’t until 1960 that netball rules became standard for every area. Over the years, the rules of the game had become finely tuned and, in 1995, became an Olympic sport.
Objective of the Game of Netball
A netball court has a similar appearance to a basketball court. The entire court measures 100 x 50, a large rectangle, and is divided into three evenly portioned sections. The two ends each feature a half circle on the outside edge which serves as the goals, where the points are made. The center section exhibits two intertwined circles; the action begins in the center of the netball court. The objective of the game is to transport the ball from the center into the hands of one of the goalies in the goal circle. The goalie will then attempt to shoot the ball into the net, earning one point for the successful shot. The team with the most points at the end of 4 quarters triumphs.
Description of Netball Play
Official netball rules describe in great detail the specifics of netball play for those entering tournament or championship play. There are 12 members on each netball team, although only 7 of these are on the court at one time. Sometimes, a team takes the court with only 5 players. The playing positions are:
Play Position Position Court Coverage and Jobs
●Goal Shooter Attacking 3rd of court; main responsibility is to shoot goals
●Goal Attack Attacking two thirds of the court; also able to shoot goals
●Wing Attack Attacking two thirds of the court; feeds the ball to shooters
●Center Entire court except goals; assists attacking and defensive positions
●Wing Defense Defense and center thirds; defends the Wing Attack
●Goal Defense Defense, center thirds and goal circle; defends the Goal Attack
●Goal Keeper Defense third, goal circle; blocks goals from opposing team
A ball, measuring approximately 27” in diameter is the tool used to obtain goals, thereby accumulating points. Because each player’s success hinges upon team play, it is a great sport for young people to learn teamwork and synergy.
There are four quarters in netball; each lasting 15 minutes. A 3 minute break occurs between the 1st and 2nd quarter as well as the 3rd and 4th quarters, with a 5 minute break between the 2nd and 3rd quarter. Teams exchange court ends at the completion of each quarter.