Court

Netball is played on a rectangular court:

• The longer sides of the court are called sidelines.

• The shorter sides are called goal lines.

• Two lines parallel to the goal lines divide the court into three areas: the centre third and two goal thirds.

  • These lines are called transverse lines.

• A centre circle is in the middle of the court.

• A goal circle is at each end of the court.

  • A goalpost is placed at the mid-point of each goal line inside the goal circle.

  • The goalpost is 3.05 m high.

• All lines are part of the court area they outline. Lines between areas belong to both areas.

Equipment

Ball

• All match balls must be spherical and made of leather, rubber, or suitable synthetic material.

• Size 5 balls are used for junior and senior games; size 4 balls are used for NetSetGo and modified games.

• Balls must be inflated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Balls may be rotated during the match. 

It is the umpire’s job before the game to check that all balls to be used are suitable. They may reject any ball that is not suitable or ask the team to inflate a ball.

For NetSetGo and regular competition games teams may use their team ball for a 1/2 game and swap at half time.

Teams and players

• Players must wear a registered playing uniform distinct from the opposing team.

• Players must wear suitable sports footwear (no spikes, school shoes, slides etc).

• Players must display their playing position initials, clearly visible above the waist on both front and back (i.e. on a patch or overhead bib).

Playing positions

There are 7 playing positions on a netball team. The playing positions and initials are:

• Goal Shooter (GS)

• Goal Attack (GA)

• Wing Attack (WA)

• Centre (C)

• Wing Defence (WD)

• Goal Defence (GD)

• Goal Keeper (GK). 

All positions have specific areas of the court where they are allowed to play.

During play, a minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from a team may be on the court at any time, one of whom must play as Centre. 

Umpires

Two umpires control a game, each looking after the half of the court to their right. 

Nails and jewellery

Rule 3.12

Players may not wear anything that could endanger themselves or other players:

• No body piercings including earrings may be worn. 

• No adornment that may endanger player safety may be worn. 

• No communication devices may be worn. (e.g. watch, fitness tracker)

• Any other adornment worn must be securely covered with tape and/or padding. 

• Medical devices may be worn provided they are securely covered with tape and/or padding. 

• Player monitoring devices may be worn provided they are secured within the playing uniform. 

• Fingernails must be short and smooth. 

• Hair must be suitably tied back (for example in a ponytail, plait or braided) and free from any adornment (e.g. no beads) 

This rule applies to all competitions and all players - including NetSetGo players.