How to Use a Netball Tally Score Card
What Is a Netball Scorecard?
A netball scorecard is the official record of a match. It captures every goal scored, the running total for each team, center pass allocations, and the quarter-by-quarter results. Whether you are a new scorer, a coach reviewing a game, or a parent trying to follow along, understanding the scorecard helps you make sense of what happened during a match.
The Layout of a Tally Card
The most common scorecard used in local leagues and community netball is the tally card — a compact card (often A6 size) that fits on a clipboard. Here is what you will find on one:
Match Details
At the top of the card:
- Date and venue — when and where the game was played
- Team names — one on each side of the card
- Grade or division — the competition level
- Umpire and scorer names — the officials for the match
The Scoring Area
The card is split vertically down the middle — one team on each side. It is divided into four quarter sections stacked on top of each other. As each goal is scored, the scorer writes the new running total and crosses out the previous number. At the end of each quarter, the current score is the last uncrossed number. Scores carry forward into the next quarter.
Center Pass Tracking
Between the two team columns are small boxes marked E (Evens) and O (Odds). These track which team takes each center pass using the odds and evens system:
- One team is designated evens and the other odds
- After each goal, the combined score of both teams determines who takes the next center pass
- If the combined total is even, the evens team takes it; if odd, the odds team takes it
Example: Reading a Tally Card
Here is a worked example showing a complete match between two fictional local league teams.
Match: Riverside Ravens (E) vs Oakfield Eagles (O) | Division 2 | 26 Feb 2026
The Ravens won the toss and chose the first center pass, so they are marked E (Evens) on the card. The Eagles are marked O (Odds).
Reading this card:
- Each quarter section shows handwritten numbers for each team — these are the running score totals, with previous numbers crossed out as new goals are scored
- The E and O boxes between the teams show which team is Evens and which is Odds for that quarter — these may swap between quarters
- At the end of each quarter, the current score for each team is the last uncrossed number
- The final score is circled at the end of the fourth quarter
- Scores carry forward between quarters — quarter 2 picks up where quarter 1 left off
Download a blank printable tally card (A4) — print this out and use it at your next match.
Paper vs Digital Scorecards
Paper scorecards are still widely used in community and junior netball. They work well but rely on the scorer keeping up with fast-paced play and avoiding mistakes that are difficult to correct on paper.
Digital scoring tools handle the calculations automatically. The running total updates instantly, center passes are tracked without manual counting, and the final scorecard is generated without any adding up.
Try Digital Scoring
Netball Scorer Pro produces a complete digital scorecard for every game. It tracks goals, calculates center passes automatically using either Simple or Official INF rules, and generates a printable scorecard at full time. No paper, no adding up, no mistakes. It works offline on any device — just open it in your browser.