Netball Court Layout, Dimensions, and Diagram
Understanding the netball court is essential whether you’re a player learning where to go, a coach setting up training, or a scorer keeping track of the game. This guide covers every marking, measurement, and zone on a standard netball court.
Court Dimensions at a Glance
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 30.5m | 100 ft |
| Court width | 15.25m | 50 ft |
| Each third length | 10.167m | 33.3 ft |
| Goal circle radius | 4.9m | 16 ft |
| Centre circle diameter | 0.9m | 3 ft |
| Goal post height | 3.05m | 10 ft |
| Goal ring diameter | 380mm | 15 in |
These are the official measurements set by the International Netball Federation (INF). Most indoor and outdoor courts follow these dimensions, though some social and junior venues use slightly smaller courts.
The Three Thirds
A netball court is divided into three equal sections by two transverse lines running across the width of the court:
1. Defending Third
This is your team’s goal end — the third where the opposition tries to score against you. Your GK, GD, WD, and C operate here.
2. Centre Third
The middle section of the court. This is where centre passes are taken and where most transitional play happens. Five of the seven positions are allowed here: GA, WA, C, WD, and GD.
3. Attacking Third
The third where your team tries to score. Your GS, GA, WA, and C operate here.
Important: The thirds swap perspective depending on which team you’re talking about. Your attacking third is the opposition’s defending third.
Court Diagram
Key Court Markings
Sidelines and Baselines
The court boundary is formed by two sidelines (the long edges, 30.5m each) and two baselines (the short edges, 15.25m each). If the ball crosses any of these lines, it’s out of court and possession is awarded to the opposing team.
Transverse Lines (Third Lines)
Two lines run across the full width of the court, dividing it into the three equal thirds. These are critical because:
- Players must stay in their allowed thirds (or it’s offside)
- The ball must be received in each third — it cannot be thrown directly from one end third to the other
- At a centre pass, non-Centre players must stay in their own third until the whistle
Centre Circle
A small circle (0.9m diameter) in the exact centre of the court. The Centre must have at least one foot inside this circle when taking a centre pass. No other player can enter the centre circle during a centre pass.
Goal Circles
Semi-circular areas at each end of the court with a 4.9m radius, measured from the centre of the goal post to the edge of the circle. The goal circle is where all scoring happens:
- Only GS and GA (attacking team) and GK and GD (defending team) can enter
- Goals must be shot from inside the circle
- Penalty shots are taken inside the circle
Goal Posts
Positioned at the centre of each baseline:
- Height: 3.05m (10 ft) from the ground to the top of the ring
- Ring diameter: 380mm (15 in) — the ring sits horizontally at the top of the post
- No backboard — unlike basketball, netball posts have no backboard
- The post should have padding at the base for player safety
Court Surfaces
Netball is played on several surface types:
| Surface | Common Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor timber/sprung floor | Sports halls | Best for grip and joints |
| Outdoor hard court (asphalt/concrete) | Schools, clubs | Most common in the UK |
| Outdoor synthetic/cushioned | Newer facilities | Good grip, more forgiving |
| Grass | Parks, social games | Uneven surface, casual play only |
The surface must provide adequate grip. Players should wear appropriate footwear — indoor shoes for timber floors and outdoor netball trainers for hard courts.
Court Zones by Position
Understanding which zones each position can enter is fundamental to netball:
| Position | Defending Third | Centre Third | Attacking Third | Defending Goal Circle | Attacking Goal Circle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| GD | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| WD | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| C | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| WA | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| GA | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| GS | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
For a full explanation of each position, see our netball positions guide.
Setting Up a Court
If you’re marking out a court for training or a social game, here’s what you need:
Equipment
- Measuring tape (at least 30m)
- Marking cones, chalk, or line paint
- Two goal posts (3.05m height)
Steps
- Mark the baseline: 15.25m wide
- From each corner, measure 30.5m along the sideline
- Mark the second baseline parallel to the first
- Divide the length into three equal sections (10.167m each) and mark the two transverse lines
- Find the centre point and mark the centre circle (0.9m diameter)
- At each baseline centre point, position the goal post and mark the goal circle (4.9m radius semi-circle)
Quick Tip for Training
If you don’t have a full court, you can work with a single third for shooting practice or use cones to mark out zones for drills. Many netball drills only need part of a court.
Common Court-Related Rules
- Out of court: The ball is out when it touches the ground outside the court lines, or when a player holding the ball touches or lands outside the lines
- Over a third: The ball must be touched in each third — you can’t throw it from one end third directly into the other end third
- Offside: A player entering a court area they’re not allowed in. Results in a free pass to the opposition
- Centre pass positioning: Before the whistle, all non-Centre players must be entirely within their allowed third (not in the centre third)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the goal circle a full circle?
No. It’s a semi-circle — the straight edge is the baseline. The curved line extends 4.9m from the goal post into the court.
Can players stand on the lines?
The transverse lines and centre circle line are considered part of the area in front of the line (towards the centre of the court). A player standing on a transverse line is in the centre third. For sidelines and baselines, standing on the line is out of court.
What if there’s no centre circle marked?
In informal games, the Centre just stands in the approximate centre. In competitive matches, the circle must be marked.
How much space do I need for a full court?
You need at least 33m × 18m to allow a small run-off area around the court. Indoor venues should have a minimum of 3.05m clearance above the court.
Measurements in this guide follow International Netball Federation (INF) standards. Some junior or social competitions may use modified court sizes.
Scoring a game on one of these courts? Try Netball Scorer Pro — a free app that tracks scores, centre passes, and quarter times automatically. Works offline on any device.