Netball Rules - Getting Started
What’s the goal? Score more goals than the other team!
The 7 positions (and where you’re allowed to go)
- Goal Shooter (GS): Attacking third & shooting circle (shooter)
- Goal Attack (GA): Centre & attacking thirds & circle (shooter/playmaker)
- Wing Attack (WA): Centre & attacking thirds (feeds shooters; not in circle)
- Centre (C): All three thirds (everywhere, but not in either circle)
- Wing Defense (WD): Centre & defensive thirds
- Goal Defense (GD): Defensive & centre thirds & defensive circle
- Goal Keeper (GK): Defensive third & defensive circle
Key point: Only GA and GS can score a goal – and only inside the circle.
Tip: If you step into an area your position isn’t allowed, that’s offside.
Starting & restarting play
- Games have 4 quarters (often 15 min; juniors can vary)
- After each goal, the centre pass alternates teams
- On a centre pass, the first pass must be caught in the centre third. Centres line up there and go on the whistle
Moving the ball (footwork made easy)
- No running with the ball. You get 3 seconds to pass
- Land on one foot? That’s your landing foot. You can pivot on it, but don’t lift and put it back down while still holding the ball
- Land on two feet? Then it’s your choice which you choose as your “landing foot”, then same rules as above apply
- No bouncing/dribbling to yourself or dropping and re-catching unless it touches someone else or the post first
Shooting
- Only GA/GS can shoot & they have to be inside the circle
- Shooters can’t catch their own shot unless it touches the ring, post, or another player first
Offside & breaking
- Stay in your legal areas. Step where you’re not allowed = offside → free pass to the other team
- On centre pass, don’t enter the centre third before the whistle (breaking) → free pass
Defending: 3-feet rule & contact
- When marking the player with the ball, stay 3 feet (0.9 m) away (measured to their landing foot)
- Hands up to block = good. Don’t lean over, hit the ball while it’s in their hands, or crash into them
- No pushing, holding, tripping, or moving into someone’s path (that’s contact)
- Minor stuff (stepping, offside) → free pass
- Contact/obstruction → penalty pass/shot. The offender stands out of play (beside & behind the ball) until it’s released
Out of court & throw-ins
- If your team touched it last and it goes out, the other team gets a throw-in from where it went out
- Stand behind the line and pass within 3 seconds
Subs & officials
- 2 umpires run the game; scorers/timekeepers track score & time
- Subs at breaks or for injury/illness. Some leagues allow rolling subs (check your local rules)
Quick tips to level up fast
- Use short, safe passes and drive into space
- Land balanced, then pivot before you pass
- On defence: step back to 3 feet, hands up, then be ready to hunt the next pass
- Most common calls: held ball (3s), stepping, offside, obstruction – master these and you’ll stand out
For the complete official Netball rules, visit: