A Beginners Guide on How to Play Netball
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 09 September 2024
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
How to Play Netball
Netball is a fast-paced ball game that is beloved for its strategic gameplay and teamwork. While the sport is enjoyed by millions around the globe at various skill levels, it is relatively unknown by many in the US. In this guide on how to play netball, we’ve provided a comprehensive overview of the sport’s rules, including an analysis of the objectives and player positions. The more that you know, the better your chances at successful betting on the sport will be.
Intro to Netball Rules for Beginners
We have ensured that this guide has all you need to know about the netball rules and positions. We’ve kicked things off by discussing everything from the objectives of the game to how long a game is played for, with some helpful insights into common strategies.
We’ve then discussed some background information about netball, such as where it is most popular and the major events on the annual netball calendar. To round out the guide, we’ve offered some additional interesting information that you can keep in mind when betting at online sportsbooks with netball markets.
- Overview of the Rules
- Netball Player Positions
- How Long is a Netball Game
- Popularity of Netball
- Major Netball Events
- Other Interesting Facts
An Overview of the Netball Rules and Positions
The best way to summarize the netball rules for beginners is to compare the game to basketball, which inspired the game. The game is played on a rectangular court with a netted hoop on either side of the court. The aim of netball is to score more goals than the opposing team. This is done by shooting the ball in the opponent’s hoop.
The court is divided into thirds, with a center third separating two goal thirds. Within the goalside thirds, an attacking circle demarks where the ball must be scored from. The ball is smaller and lighter than a basketball, and unlike its inspiration, the ball is not dribbled.
The goal rings are 15 inches in diameter and sit atop 10-foot-high goal posts. Teams must simultaneously defend their goal and attack their opponent’s goal. The game starts with a center pass from within the center circle. Teams alternate taking the center pass after each goal is scored, regardless of which team scored.
The center pass must be caught or touched within the center third. It is then moved up and down the court to score. The ball must be touched by a player in each third of the court before a goal can be scored. Players are not allowed to run with the ball.
Instead, when they catch the ball, they are only permitted to take one step. They also must pass or shoot the ball within three seconds of receiving it, which makes for a fast-paced stop-and-start round of action. Contact is only allowed if it doesn’t impede an opponent or play.
A Closer Look at the Positions
An essential element to understand when learning how to play netball is the different player positions. When you understand these, you can appreciate the unique dynamics and strategies of the game. Like games such as soccer, different areas of the court are restricted according to positions.
A Goal Shooter (GS) is based in the attacking goal third, and as their name suggests, their role is to score goals. They are aided by a Goal Attack (GA), whose role is to score goals and assist in setting up goals for the GS. Unlike the GS, they can also play in the center third.
The Wing Attack (WA) is similar to the GA and is based in the center and attacking third. Their role is to pass the ball to the shooters. As they cannot step into the shooting center, they cannot score goals. A Center (C) can move across all thirds except for within the shooting circles.
In the defense, a team has a Wing Defense (WD), which is positioned in the center and defensive third. They mark the opponent’s WA and aim to intercept their passes. A Goal Defense (GD) plays in the defensive and center thirds and marks the opposing WA, while the Goal Keeper (GK) plays in the defensive third and marks the GS. They are the final defense on goal.
Therefore, the answer to the question regarding how many players in netball games is seven, with one player fulfilling each role. This puts 14 players on the court at one time. Because the players are limited in movements, they must work together to transition the ball from defense to attack, making strategy an essential element to success.
If a player steps out of their designated areas then they can be penalized for being offside. Teams are permitted to have five substitutes which can be made during breaks or if an injury occurs.
How Long is a Netball Game?
Those wondering how long is a netball game may be surprised to find that it is slightly longer than basketball. The entire game is 60 minutes long, and this is divided into four-minute quarters. Between the first and second quarters, a three-minute break is held. Player substitutions can be made here.
At half-time, a five-minute break is held, then another three-minute break is held between the third and fourth quarters. The breaks provide opportunities for resting and strategizing. Extra time can be awarded at the end of full-time if the scores are tied and a winner is required. Extra time consists of two seven-minute halves with a one-minute break.
Where is Netball Popular?
Now that you’re aware of the netball rules for beginners, it’s probably time to familiarize yourself with the most successful teams and international leagues. As the sport was popularized in the United Kingdom for women and girls in particular, netball is particularly popular in Commonwealth countries.
These include nations such as Australia, New Zealand, England, and Jamaica. There are an estimated 20 million people who play the sport across 80 countries, and the sport continues to expand in popularity. Rises in gameplay have been noted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Taiwan, and even the United States.
In Australia, the sport is widely taught in schools with an aim to boost participation in sports for women and girls. It is likely due to this reason that the Australian national team remains the most successful in the world, having won 12 World Cup titles across the 16 quadrennial competitions.
And if new data on the sport is anything to go by, it’s that male participation is rapidly on the rise in Australia. While historically there have only been female-only teams, a rise in mixed teams has seen males constitute nearly half of all new participants in 2023.
The Major Netball Events
When you know how to play netball, you’ll have a much better chance of successfully betting on the sport at its major events. The pinnacle of all international competitions is the Netball World Cup. This has been held every four years since 1963 and currently sees the top 16 teams compete for the title.
And while the sport is not yet played at the Olympics, it has been played at the Commonwealth Games since 1998. This multi-event competition is similar to the Olympics but only hosts countries associated with the British Commonwealth. This showcases intense rivalries between nations such as New Zealand, England, and Australia.
In the meantime, the Suncorp Super Netball League is the top professional netball league in Australia and features some of the best players in the world. The major netball league in the UK is called the Superleague, while in New Zealand it is called the ANZ Premiership. For a modified version of the game, check out the Fast5 event, which hosts shorter games and speedier play.
Other Interesting Netball Facts
As we’ve shared in this guide on how to play netball, the sport is very similar to basketball. This is because the sport was invented in the USA as an adaptation of basketball to suit women. Netball was developed by Clara Baer, a New Orleans-based physical education teacher.
The netball rules and positions were further adapted when the sport was introduced to England in 1895, with rules such as seven-player teams and distinct positions added.
