Netball: rules of play

rules of play DRILLS
View All
rules of play DRILL CATEGORIES
View All
rules of play ANSWERS
View All

Team in dire need of umpire/coach

Hello, I am part of a netball team who have just entered to play in the North Kent Netball League. As part of the League rules we need to have an umpire per team but currently none of the ladies are qualified. We desperatly need an umpire and a coach if there is anyone willingly to help us out. We are army wives and are stationed @ the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich. Appreciate any help and advise. Florence e-mail %3A ...link in profile...

FLORENCE QIATABUA Coach, England

How do you get under 11's to come forward for the ball?

How do you get under 11's to come forward for the ball and not to call for the ball when they have a player on them?

Gemma Blandford Coach, Australia

where to find good netball questionnaires??

where to find good netball questionnaires??

Lois B Coach, England

Can youplay ball off post from backline?

Playing ball off post from back line pass

karen channon Coach, England

netball coach movements

can a netball coach move up and down outsidew court a few metres to encourage certain players while a game is in play

Archived User Coach

Obstruction or not obstruction

My teams are getting a bit older now and watching ANZ challenge and Aus NZ games the way the defenders defend or block has certainly changed. The defenders now have their backs to the attackers arms out wide what we used to say was airplane arms which would be picked up as obstrution. In the circle the defender is between goal and player at the edge still with back to the player and side shuffles with arms out wide blocking the shooter moving into the circle.  Is this not obstruction or are they doing something that does not constitute an obstruction call. Netball is certainly changing quickly in the way it is played

Archived User Coach

Rules question: Causing contact?

After my opponent release the ball can I use my body but not arms to block in front of her so as to prevent her from going to the front?( In centre third) If the opponent just run ahead and crash on the defender, is it a contact?Or in fact the action of the defender preventing the attacker to run towards goal third is obstruction or a rule called" causing contact"?

Archived User Coach

Please can some clarify the pass not set rule?

I keep coming across situations of umpires reversing play for "pass not set". Typically where we want to take the pass speedily the ball is laid off, it is then being reversed as the offending player has not been standing by our side and ball given back to the offender. Surely this can not be the correct use of the rule? Some who contacts but then chooses not to set the penalty in time is then given the ball back? I understand it being reversed if the pass is not set from the correct position, but surely not for not waiting for the offender to be by our side!

Jane Husbands Coach, England

Stepping in the centre circle

My centre was penalised for stepping in the centre circle - she took her centre stance and after the whistle was blown she stepped out with one foot. I didnt think a centre had a 'landing foot' at a centre pass, providing both feet are in the circle when the whistle blows, but the umpire said when she returned to the circle she put her left foot in first so that became her landing foot even though play had not been started. I told her just to stay in the circle but I would like to know if the umpire was correct or if she had it wrong

Archived User Coach

Are you allowed to defend another player off court??

Are you allowed to mark another player off court if you remain on court??

Elysia Coach, Wales

offside at a centre pass

Need some help on a dispute on a decision I made during a match I was umpiring recently.A player was tying her shoe laces in my half of the court. A goal had been scored in the half I was umpiring. Centre stepped in the centre circle whilst this player was still attending to her shoe lace. So in affect she had not got herself on side and then gone off side she just did not get on side.I blew the whistle to start play as the centre was ready. As the player who was in my half and was off side, I blew for offside.Can I have clarification on this please, was I correct, or should the other umpire have called this offside even though the player was in my half?Secondly, a reputable umpire told me a couple of months ago, that the umpire blowing the whistle to start the game at a centre pass, controls both sides for off side? I.e. All players that go offside at the centre pass, to the left and right of the centre circle. I was not suite about this so need clarification on that too.Thanks in anticipation.

Maria Massey Coach, England

Bunching on court - drills to stop it

How do you stop 10 year olds bunching on court? They all wanting the ball!

Archived User Coach

1 player struggling what do I do!?

Hi I have a new team of 7/8 year olds and we have one very weak player that doesn't move or listen nor catch the ball. Any advice? I need to play her in all positions as they move around to learn them all but feel she needs to learn one at a time. She says she just wants to shoot but that's difficult when she can't catch. Other players aren't passing to her either as she doesn't movebinto position. Any advice would be great! The rest of the time are thriving!! Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Coach, Australia

Stepping on transverse lines

Good day. I would like some clarity regarding transverse lines. Are players allowed or how far are players allowed to step on or stand on transverse lines during play or at goal circles and at centre passes. Please some controversy regarding this rule.

Rene October Coach, South Africa

When can a goal defender move from an out of play position?

Can a goal defender move from an out of play position if the shooter steps in from where the infringer was standing, to take a shot? I know the rules say the infringer can move once the ball is released, but can the defender move up next to the shooter, while out of play? Thanks

Amy Williams Coach, Australia

Obstruction rules

Is it obstruction if the defending player is standing next to the person in possession of the ball with their arms down ie. not attempting to defend or intercept the ball whilst mid-court? There is a lot of mixed messaging from umpires around this rule, particularly if it occurs within goals with some umpires saying as long as you're not putting your hands up to defend the ball or standing in front of them then it is not obstruction to then being called obstruction in instances decribed above.

Nicole Coach, Australia

Can youplay ball off post from...

Playing ball off post from back line pass

karen channon Coach, England

Rules question: Causing contac...

After my opponent release the ball can I use my body but not arms to block in front of her so as to prevent her from going to the front?( In centre third) If the opponent just run ahead and crash on the defender, is it a contact?Or in fact the action of the defender preventing the attacker to run towards goal third is obstruction or a rule called" causing contact"?

Archived User Coach

Please can some clarify the pa...

I keep coming across situations of umpires reversing play for "pass not set". Typically where we want to take the pass speedily the ball is laid off, it is then being reversed as the offending player has not been standing by our side and ball given back to the offender. Surely this can not be the correct use of the rule? Some who contacts but then chooses not to set the penalty in time is then given the ball back? I understand it being reversed if the pass is not set from the correct position, but surely not for not waiting for the offender to be by our side!

Jane Husbands Coach, England

Question about a netball rule ...

HiRecently I was umpiring a very challenging game.I was questioned about a decision i had made during the game, to which I said that if a further explanation was required that the player should approach me at quarter time. This particular player and a number of others on court continued to be extremely challengingAt quarter time this player approached me not to ask for an explanation but to challenge my decision and it would seem the tone that I had put on my decision, which she seemed to think was made by me with a harsh tone.I explained that i would not tolerate her attitude on court. She then said that as i had made my point that she wanted to make hers. My understanding of this is that, although I do not have to give an explanation I did because sometimes it helps with the attitude of players if they know what they had done wrong. On this occasion the player concerned wanted to make her point, this is what I need clarification on.She said that she was going to report me to the league as I did not allow her to have her say.I was not aware that my tone was harsh, and did ask the other team if they felt I was, to which they said that they absolutely did not.This player was a defender, and the only thing I can think of is that when she asked for an explanation for my decision I was running back to the centre line as a goal had been scored, I was at this point running back, entering the score, calculating whose centre pass it was, so may be my tone may have been a little rushed.Although I feel that I am was happy with my decisions on the day, I was wondering where I stand when something like this happens. Are players allowed to voice their opinion, I didn't think they were, but can not find anything in the rule book that definitively says one way or the other.I am a firm umpire, and feel that I know the rules thoroughly having played at a very high level myself int he past.I am a grade C umpire and the team was in one of the higher divisions, so really should know better.

Maria Massey Coach, England

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 700+ netball drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

I have thoroughly enjoyed using your site to help me with my coaching plans for my under 9's netball team.

Donna Maloy Coach, Australia

I found this service to be excellent and it was of great help when planning my netball training sessions.

Jo Peckover Netball Coach, Australia

Sportplan is fantastic with all the various drills for every area of netball. My confidence as a coach has improved because I have Sportplan to support me.

Julie Lam Australia

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 700+ netball drills
  • create professional netball coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested netball plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the worlds largest netball coaching resource for 700+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT