About Netball

A new game for girls, about which a good deal will probably be heard in the course of the ensuing summer, is basket-ball. It has already swept the United States, completely eclipsing lawn tennis, and effectually nipping in the bud the threatened revival of croquet...The chief beauty of the game is its simplicity, and the fact that no expensive apparatus is required. Wherever two old baskets, a couple of clothes props, and a ball, are there can it be played.

History

Netball has come a long way in New Zealand since its appearance as basketball in the late 19th century and early organisation by the Reverend J.C. Jamieson, who established the first teams from his Auckland Bible classes in 1906-07. Yet the game (which became netball in 1970) retains its appealing simplicity.

Equipment

Netball is played on a rectangular court, which is divided into areas called thirds. There are two goal thirds and between them is the centre third. The centre circle is in the middle of the centre third and this is where play begins. At the end of each goal third is a goal circle, which is actually a semi-circle around the goal hoop. All goals must be shot by a player within the goal circle.

The teams have a goal post each and can only score by shooting the ball through their own hoop.

Players

Teams consist of Seven Players who fill these positions:

• Goal Keeper

  - opposes the Goal Shooter, plays in the opposition's goal third

• Goal Defence

  - opposes the Goal Attack, plays in the opposition's goal third and the centre third

• Wing Defence

  - opposes the Wing Attack, plays in the opposition's goal third (but not the goal circle) and the centre third

• Centre

  - opposes the Centre, plays in all three thirds, but not the goal circles

• Wing Attack

  - opposes the Wing Defence, plays in her team's goal third (but not the goal circle) and the centre third

• Goal Attack

  - opposes the Goal Defence, plays in her team's goal third and the centre third, shoots in the goal circle

• Goal Shooter

  - opposes the Goal Keeper, plays in her team's goal third, shoots in the goal circle

Starting play

Play is started with a pass from the centre circle – this is called the centre pass. There is a centre pass at the beginning of each quarter and half, and after each goal is scored. The teams take turns making the centre pass. The person making the centre pass must stand in the centre circle. The opposing centre can stand anywhere in the centre third but all other players must stay in the goal thirds (behind the middle third lines) until the umpire blows the whistle to start play. The centre pass has to be received in the centre third.

Offside

Each player is allowed in only a certain area of the court. If a player steps into an area or any part of their body touches the ground in an area their playing position is not allowed to go, will be ruled offside.

Stepping

Once a player has landed with the ball, the first landed foot is called the grounded foot and must either stay on the ground or in the air until the ball is passed on. Regrounding that same foot a second time while still in possession of the ball is a step which will result in a free pass to the opposition. Similarly, a hop, slide or drag of the grounded foot is not permitted.

Playing the ball

Once the ball has been caught, the player must pass it or shoot for goal within three seconds.

Obstruction

When a player is defending another player or trying to intercept the ball they must be at least 0.9 metres away from the grounded foot of the player who has the ball.

Contact

A player is not allowed to physically contact an opponent if it disrupts or stops that person from playing. Pushing the ball out of an opponent’s hands is also not permitted.

Penalty pass or shot

For contact, obstruction or moving the goalpost penalties, the offending player must stand down from play, away from the thrower and where the umpire has indicated. A goal shooter or goal attack taking the penalty pass or shot in the goal circle can either pass the ball or shoot for goal.

Throw in

When the ball goes out of court, the umpire takes note of which team touched it last. The throw in is then taken by a player from the opposing team close to where the ball went out of court. Standing close to the line from the outside of court, the player has three seconds to get the ball back in play.

Umpires

Two umpires have control of the game and make the on-court decisions about the run of play.