Netball Center Pass Rules Explained
What Is a Center Pass?
A center pass is how play restarts after every goal in netball. It is taken from the center circle by one of the two Centers (C). Knowing which team takes the center pass is a key part of scorekeeping.
The fundamental rule is straightforward: center passes alternate between teams throughout the match, regardless of which team scores. The first center pass is decided by coin toss.
The Odds and Evens System
At the start of the game, one team is designated “evens” and the other “odds”. This is determined by which team takes the first center pass — the team with the first center pass takes pass number 1 (odd), making them the “odds” team.
Because center passes alternate, the combined score of both teams tells you the center pass number. This lets you verify which team’s turn it is:
| Combined Score | Who Takes Center Pass |
|---|---|
| Even number (0, 2, 4, 6…) | The “evens” team |
| Odd number (1, 3, 5, 7…) | The “odds” team |
Example
- Score is 3-2 (combined = 5, odd) → odds team gets center pass
- A goal is scored, making it 4-2 (combined = 6, even) → evens team gets center pass
For a detailed breakdown of how this tracking system works, see our odds and evens blog post.
Simple Rules vs Official INF Rules
There are two common approaches to handling quarter breaks:
Simple Rules
At every quarter break, the odds and evens designations swap. This is the easier system and is widely used in community and junior netball.
Official INF Rules
At quarter breaks, the rule is: “If in play, change the way.”
- If the quarter ended with the ball in play (e.g., time ran out during general play), the designations swap
- If the quarter ended with a goal being scored, the designations stay the same
This rule exists because a goal already triggers a center pass change in the alternation, so swapping again would effectively undo it.
Why It Matters
Getting center passes right matters because:
- It determines which team gets possession after every goal
- Incorrect allocation gives one team an unfair advantage
- Umpires and officials rely on the scorer to track this accurately
For the full rules of netball including all other rules beyond center passes, see our complete rules guide.
Let the App Handle It
Netball Scorer Pro calculates center passes automatically using either Simple or Official INF rules. You choose the rule set during game setup, and the app handles the rest — including quarter break transitions.