What Is Netball? A Beginner's Guide to the Sport
Netball is a fast-paced, seven-a-side team sport where players pass the ball up the court and score by shooting through a raised ring. It’s one of the most popular participation sports in the Commonwealth, played by over 20 million people worldwide.
If you’ve never watched or played netball before, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Netball in a Nutshell
- Teams: 2 teams of 7 players
- Objective: Score more goals than the opposition
- How to score: Shoot the ball through a ring on top of a 3.05m (10 ft) post
- Game length: 4 quarters of 15 minutes (senior) or 10–12 minutes (junior)
- Court: 30.5m × 15.25m, divided into three thirds
- Key difference from basketball: No dribbling, no running with the ball, no backboard, restricted player movement zones
How Is Netball Different from Basketball?
This is the most common question from people new to netball. While both sports involve shooting a ball through a hoop, they’re quite different:
| Netball | Basketball | |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 7 per team | 5 per team |
| Dribbling | Not allowed | Core skill |
| Running with ball | Not allowed | Allowed while dribbling |
| Backboard | No | Yes |
| Player zones | Restricted by position | Free movement |
| Contact | Non-contact | Contact allowed |
| Ball holding time | 3 seconds max | No limit |
| Goal value | 1 point | 2 or 3 points |
| Court size | 30.5m × 15.25m | 28m × 15m |
How to Play Netball
The Setup
Each team has 7 players on court, each wearing a bib with their position abbreviation. Every position is restricted to certain areas of the court — if a player enters a zone they’re not allowed in, the umpire calls offside.
The court is divided into three equal thirds, with a semi-circular goal circle at each end. Goals can only be scored from inside this circle.
For full court details, see our netball court guide.
Starting the Game
Play begins with a centre pass. The Centre (C) stands in the small centre circle and passes the ball to a teammate. The ball must be caught by someone in or landing in the centre third.
After every goal, play restarts with a centre pass. Centre passes alternate between teams throughout the match, regardless of which team scores.
Moving the Ball
Players advance the ball by passing — there’s no dribbling or running with the ball. Once a player catches the ball, they must:
- Land and establish a landing foot (which cannot be moved)
- Pass or shoot within 3 seconds
The ball must be received in each third of the court. You can’t throw it directly from one end to the other — it must be touched in the centre third along the way.
There are several types of pass including chest pass, bounce pass, shoulder pass, and lob. Each is suited to different situations. Learn about them in our netball passes guide.
Scoring
Only two positions can shoot: Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Attack (GA). They must shoot from inside the goal circle. Every goal is worth 1 point.
The team with the most goals at the end of four quarters wins.
Defending
Netball is a non-contact sport. Defenders must stay at least 0.9m (3 feet) from the player with the ball. They can extend their arms to try to block or intercept, but they can’t push, hold, or lean on opponents.
The Seven Positions
Every position has a specific role and restricted court areas:
| Position | Bib | Role | Can Score? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal Shooter | GS | Main scorer, stays near the post | Yes |
| Goal Attack | GA | Scorer and link player | Yes |
| Wing Attack | WA | Feeds the ball to shooters | No |
| Centre | C | Links defence and attack, covers the most ground | No |
| Wing Defence | WD | Disrupts opposition attack | No |
| Goal Defence | GD | Defends the goal circle area | No |
| Goal Keeper | GK | Last line of defence, defends the post | No |
For a detailed breakdown of each position, see our netball positions guide.
Equipment You Need
Netball requires very little equipment to get started:
Essential
- Netball — a size 5 ball (senior) or size 4 (junior). Official match balls are made by Gilbert
- Netball shoes — supportive court shoes with good grip and ankle support. Outdoor and indoor shoes differ
- Comfortable sportswear — most clubs provide team dresses or bibs
For a Match
- Goal posts — 3.05m high with a 380mm diameter ring
- Bibs — labelled with position abbreviations
- Court — indoor or outdoor, marked with correct lines
- Umpires — two umpires control a standard match
- Scorer — keeps track of goals and centre passes
Where Is Netball Played?
Netball is most popular in Commonwealth countries:
- England — governed by England Netball, with the Netball Super League as the top competition
- Australia — home of the Suncorp Super Netball league, one of the strongest in the world
- New Zealand — the Silver Ferns are consistently one of the top international teams
- South Africa — a major netball nation with a strong domestic league
- Jamaica — known for producing world-class players, especially shooters
- Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland — growing participation at all levels
The Netball World Cup is held every four years, organised by World Netball (formerly the International Netball Federation).
Types of Netball
Standard Netball (7-a-side)
The full version played on a regulation court with all positions and standard rules. This is what most clubs and leagues play.
Fast5 (formerly Fastnet)
A modified, faster format:
- 5 players per team
- 6-minute quarters
- A “power play” quarter where goals are worth double
- Smaller court
- Designed to be more spectator-friendly
Walking Netball
A slower-paced version where players walk instead of run. Popular with older adults and those returning from injury. Same basic rules but adapted for accessibility.
Junior Netball (High 5 / modified rules)
Simplified rules for young players:
- Shorter quarters
- Smaller courts
- Players rotate positions to learn all roles
- Focus on participation and development
Getting Started
As a Player
- Find a local club — most areas have clubs that welcome beginners. England Netball’s “Back to Netball” programme is designed for adults who haven’t played since school
- Start with social sessions — many sports centres run casual netball sessions (sometimes called “Pay & Play”)
- Learn the basics first — focus on passing, catching, and understanding your position’s zones before worrying about advanced skills
- Get proper shoes — netball involves a lot of stopping, starting, and pivoting. Good footwear prevents injuries
As a Spectator
- Watch a local league game to understand the flow
- Follow the Netball Super League (UK) or Super Netball (Australia) for top-level competition
- The key positions to watch are the Centre (controls the game) and the shooters (GS and GA)
As a Scorer
If you’ve been asked to score a game, you’ll track goals for each team and which team takes each centre pass. Our guide to scoring a netball game walks you through it step by step.
Key Rules to Remember
| Rule | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 3-second rule | Must pass or shoot within 3 seconds of catching |
| Footwork | Can’t move your landing foot once grounded |
| No contact | Can’t push, hold, or bump opponents |
| 3-foot rule | Must be 0.9m from the ball carrier when defending |
| Offside | Can’t enter zones your position isn’t allowed in |
| Over a third | Ball must be touched in each third |
| Only GS and GA score | And only from inside the goal circle |
For the full breakdown, read our complete netball rules guide.
Why People Love Netball
- Accessible — minimal equipment needed, easy to learn the basics
- Social — team sport with a strong community culture
- Inclusive — played at every level from social walking netball to elite international
- Great exercise — a full match involves running, jumping, quick changes of direction, and sustained effort
- Strategic — the position restrictions and passing rules create a tactical, team-oriented game
Frequently Asked Questions
Can boys/men play netball?
Yes. While netball has traditionally been a women’s sport, men’s and mixed netball is growing. Many social leagues are mixed, and there are men’s national teams in several countries.
How long does a game last?
A full senior match is 4 × 15-minute quarters plus intervals — roughly 75–80 minutes total. Junior games are shorter, typically 4 × 10 minutes.
Is netball a non-contact sport?
Yes. Contact that interferes with an opponent’s play is penalised. However, incidental contact happens — it’s fast-moving and physical, just not deliberately so.
What age can children start?
Most clubs accept players from age 7–8 upward. Younger children often play modified versions like High 5 with simplified rules and position rotation.
Do you need to be tall to play?
No. While height helps in shooting and defending positions (GS, GK), shorter players often excel as WA, C, or WD where speed and agility matter more.
Ready to get involved? Whether you’re playing, coaching, or scoring, netball is a rewarding sport at every level.
If you’re scoring a game, try Netball Scorer Pro — a free app that tracks goals, centre passes, and quarter times automatically. Works offline on any device, no account needed.