How Scoring Works in Netball
If you are new to netball — whether as a player, parent, or scorer — understanding how goals are scored is the starting point. Netball’s scoring rules are straightforward, but there are a few details that catch people out.
How Do You Score a Goal in Netball?
A goal is scored when the ball passes completely through the ring (hoop) from above. The ring sits at the top of a 3.05-metre (10-foot) goalpost at each end of the court.
Unlike basketball, there are no two-point or three-point shots. Every goal is worth one point.
Who Can Score?
Only two positions on each team are allowed to shoot:
- Goal Shooter (GS) — the primary shooter, usually positioned closest to the post
- Goal Attack (GA) — supports the attack and can also shoot
No other position is allowed to score. If a Centre, Wing Attack, or any defensive player somehow got the ball through the ring, it would not count.
Where Must You Stand to Shoot?
The shooter must be completely inside the goal circle (also called the shooting circle or the D) when they release the ball. The goal circle is a semicircle with a 4.9-metre radius around the goalpost.
If any part of the shooter’s foot is on or outside the circle line when they shoot, the goal does not count and a free pass is awarded to the other team.
What Happens After a Goal?
After a goal is scored:
- Play restarts with a center pass from the centre circle
- Center passes alternate between teams throughout the match, regardless of which team scores
- The scorer records the goal and updates the running total
This alternating possession rule is what makes center pass tracking important — and why many scorers use the odds and evens system to keep track.
How Long Is a Match?
A standard netball match is played in four quarters. Quarter lengths vary by level:
- 10 minutes — common for junior and school matches
- 12 minutes — used in many club and league games
- 15 minutes — standard for senior and international matches
There are short breaks between quarters (typically 2–3 minutes) and a longer half-time interval. The team with the most goals at the end of the fourth quarter wins.
What Happens If the Score Is Level?
In most league and friendly matches, a draw is a valid result. In knockout or tournament matches where a winner is needed, extra time is usually played — typically two additional periods of 7 minutes each. If scores are still level, some competitions use specific tiebreak rules.
How Is the Score Recorded?
The match scorer keeps a running tally of goals for both teams throughout the game. This includes:
- A running total that updates after every goal
- Quarter scores recorded at the end of each period
- The final score at full time
This can be done on a paper tally card or with a digital tool like Netball Scorer Pro, which tracks everything automatically and produces a printable scorecard at the end.
Quick Summary
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Points per goal | 1 |
| Who can shoot | Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Attack (GA) |
| Where from | Inside the goal circle only |
| After a goal | Center passes alternate between teams |
| Match length | 4 quarters (10, 12, or 15 minutes each) |
| Winner | Team with the most goals at full time |
For a full breakdown of all rules including footwork, contact, and penalties, see our complete netball rules guide.