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Netball rules do not permit players to take more than one step in possession of the ball. Consequently, the only way to move the ball towards the goal is to throw the ball to a team-mate. The ball cannot be held by one person for more than three seconds at any one time, and a player may not throw the ball to himself or herself ("replay"). This, combined with the restrictions on where players can move, ensures that everyone on the team is regularly involved in play. Defence is restricted — not only is contact not permitted, but players must be at least three feet (90 centimetres) away from a player with the ball to defend, meaning that hard physical contact is rare. If contact is made, a penalty is given to the team of the player who was contacted, and the player who contacted must stand "out of play", meaning they cannot defend, point, speak, amongst other rules, until the player taking the penalty has thrown the ball.
Netball rules do not permit players to take more than one step in possession of the ball. Consequently, the only way to move the ball towards the goal is to throw the ball to a team-mate. The ball cannot be held by one person for more than three seconds at any one time, and a player may not throw the ball to himself or herself ("replay"). This, combined with the restrictions on where players can move, ensures that everyone on the team is regularly involved in play. Defence is restricted — not only is contact not permitted, but players must be at least three feet (90 centimetres) away from a player with the ball to defend, meaning that hard physical contact is rare. If contact is made, a penalty is given to the team of the player who was contacted, and the player who contacted must stand "out of play", meaning they cannot defend, point, speak, amongst other rules, until the player taking the penalty has thrown the ball.


A game is played in four quarters of 15 minutes each, with an interval of three minutes between the first and second and third and fourth quarters and an interval of five minutes at half time .If a player has an injury, a team-mate or umpire will call time, and the time keeper will pause the timer. When the game starts and the player has swapped places with another player or is healthy play will resume and the timer will restart. Play continues until the timer reaches 15 minutes, even if the time is over the buzzer.
A game is played in four quarters of 15 minutes each, with an interval of three minutes between the first and second and third and fourth quarters and an interval of five minutes at half time. If a player has an injury, a team-mate or umpire will call time, and the time keeper will pause the timer. When the game starts and the player has swapped places with another player or is healthy play will resume and the timer will restart. Play continues until the timer reaches 15 minutes, even if the time is over the buzzer.


==Growth in popularity==
==Growth in popularity==

Revision as of 04:27, 20 August 2006

Netball is a team sport similar to and derived from basketball. It was originally known as "women's basketball" and developed in the United States, and while basically unknown in its homeland, is the pre-eminent women's team sport (both as a spectator and participant sport) in Australia and New Zealand and is popular in Jamaica, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and various other Commonwealth countries. Later, the name "netball" was adopted as women were beginning to play basketball proper, and the game started to attract male players.

Description and rules

Diagram of a netball court.

Like basketball, the game is played on a hard court with scoring rings at both ends, and with a ball resembling a basketball (but lighter, smaller and slightly softer in construction, and usually white in colour). The rings, whilst of similar height and dimension to basketball hoops, do not have a "backboard". The field is divided into thirds which regulate where individuals in each team are allowed to move, and two semi-circular "shooting circles" at each end from within which all scoring shots must be taken.

There are two umpires who control a half of the court each and their sideline and goal line. There are seven players on each team, who are given nominated, named positions (and in competitive netball must wear "bibs" or "patches" showing the abbreviations below indicating that position). They are only allowed in certain areas of the court: a player in a section of court that is not part of their playing area is deemed "offside". The positions are described below:

Netball positions
Position Name Abbreviation Opponent Areas permitted
Goal Shooter GS Goal Keeper Attacking goal third including goal circle
Goal Attack GA Goal Defence Attacking goal third, goal circle, and centre third
Wing Attack WA Wing Defence Attacking goal third and centre third, not goal circle
Centre C Centre Everywhere except goal circles
Wing Defence WD Wing Attack Defensive goal third and centre third, not goal circle
Goal Defence GD Goal Attack Defensive goal third and centre third, including goal circle
Goal Keeper GK Goal Shooter Defensive goal third, including goal circle

By the combination of the above, only the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter are able to score goals directly. A ball that passes through the hoop, but has been thrown either from outside the circle or by any other player such as the GK or GD is deemed a "no goal". Furthermore, a shooter (GA or GS) may not shoot for goal if a "free pass" has been awarded for an infringement such as stepping, offside, or using the post.

Netball rules do not permit players to take more than one step in possession of the ball. Consequently, the only way to move the ball towards the goal is to throw the ball to a team-mate. The ball cannot be held by one person for more than three seconds at any one time, and a player may not throw the ball to himself or herself ("replay"). This, combined with the restrictions on where players can move, ensures that everyone on the team is regularly involved in play. Defence is restricted — not only is contact not permitted, but players must be at least three feet (90 centimetres) away from a player with the ball to defend, meaning that hard physical contact is rare. If contact is made, a penalty is given to the team of the player who was contacted, and the player who contacted must stand "out of play", meaning they cannot defend, point, speak, amongst other rules, until the player taking the penalty has thrown the ball.

A game is played in four quarters of 15 minutes each, with an interval of three minutes between the first and second and third and fourth quarters and an interval of five minutes at half time. If a player has an injury, a team-mate or umpire will call time, and the time keeper will pause the timer. When the game starts and the player has swapped places with another player or is healthy play will resume and the timer will restart. Play continues until the timer reaches 15 minutes, even if the time is over the buzzer.

Growth in popularity

Netball is a popular participant sport in Australia and New Zealand, mostly among women (in country areas a netball competition is usually arranged to coincide with the local football league), but men's and mixed teams are becoming popular, as the fundamentals of the game are easy for new players to learn, and men and women can compete with each other on reasonably fair terms as the restrictions on defence (and, typically, the girls' greater familiarity with the game) prevent men's superior strength and size gaining an overly large advantage.

The women's game has an elite international competition, with Australia and New Zealand undoubtedly the world's strongest teams; however, despite a growing club competition, only two of the current Australian team are full-time netballers.

New Zealand finally broke an Australian stranglehold on major titles, after a heartbreaking run of near-misses, with a 49-47 win in the 2003 World Championship final in Jamaica. A 3-0 series win over Australia in New Zealand in the winter of 2004 continued the ascendancy, but Australia won the return series at home in November 2004, 2-1. On October 29, 2005, in a one-off Test in Auckland, the Silver Ferns scored their most decisive victory ever against the Australian team, winning 61-36. This result made them clear favourites for the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medal, which they subsequently won, reinforcing their World Champion status.

Whilst not attracting much public attention, there are representative men's netball teams. On occasions, trial matches between national men's and women's teams have been arranged, with the men usually coming off victorious because of their height advantage.

Netball is a common sport in British schools. Both girls' and mixed matches are played; boys' netball is rather less common.

Fun Net

With an emphasis on participation, developing skills and enjoyment, Fun Net allows for a gradual introduction to the game. There is no organised competition structure and there are no winners or losers, but rewards are given for participation and improvement. The equipment is modified so that children can obtain maximum enjoyment from playing Fun Net. Goal posts are only 2.4 metres high and a size 4 netball or spongy ball is used. Designed especially for 5 to 7 year olds, Fun Net develops general motor skills, balance, co-ordination, footwork and ball-handling skills while concentrating on netball for fun.

Netta

A size 4 ball is used to develop correct passing and catching skills with up to six seconds allowed between catching and passing the ball, instead of the three seconds permitted in the adult game. All players rotate positions throughout the game so that they can experience the differences between each position. Netta is more in line with the adult game than Fun Net and is the natural stage between Fun Net and adult netball, which is played by children 10 years of age and older.

Netball teams

Netball competitions

Netball personalities

File:Cynna Neele Headshot.jpg
Cynna Kydd
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