Glossary of Terms

Netball Rules Glossary

• Advantage – Advantage is played when a player decides to carry on play despite being impeded by an opposing player. The umpire will allow play to continue if they feel that stopping play and bringing it back for a penalty pass will give the impeded player a disadvantage.

• Attacking goal third – The attacking goal third is the third of the court that a team is shooting towards. Centers, Wing Attacks, Goal Attacks, and Goal Shooters are allowed in this third.

• Defensive goal third – The defensive goal third is the third of the court that a team is defending. Centers, Wing Defences, Goal Defences, and Goal Keepers are allowed in this third.

• Centre circle – The center circle is a small circle in the middle of the court that the Centre must throw the ball from at the beginning of the match and from every center pass.

• Centre pass – A center pass is taken from the center circle by the Centers of each team. They may pass the ball to their Goal Attack, Wing Attack, Wing Defence, or Goal Defence. The ball must be received in the center third.

• Centre third – The center third is the middle third of the court. All players apart from Goal Shooters and Goal Keepers are allowed in this third.

• Contact – Contact is called when a player impedes an opponent in a way that prevents them from moving freely. This includes knocking or hitting another player, or attempting to touch the ball while the other player has it. A penalty pass is award to the opposing team.

• Footwork – Footwork is called when a player moves and replants their landing leg. The other team is awarded a free pass in the position where the footwork took place.

• Free pass – A free pass is awarded to the opposing team when a player commits a non-contact infringement e.g. footwork or offside. If a free pass is awarded in the shooting circle to the attacking team, they may only pass the ball, not take a shot.

• Held ball – A held ball is when a player holds onto the ball for more than 3 seconds before passing or shooting. The other team is awarded a free pass.

• Landing foot – Your landing foot is the first foot you land on when you have jumped to receive the ball, meaning you are unable to move and reground it before passing the ball. If you catch a ball with both legs planted, the foot you decide not to move becomes your landing foot.

• Obstruction – Obstruction is called when a player marks the player with the ball at a distance shorter that 3 feet away. A penalty pass or shot is awarded to the opposition.

• Offside – Offside is called when a player receives the ball in an area of the court that they aren’t allowed to enter. A free pass is awarded to the opposition.

• Penalty pass/shot – A penalty pass is awarded when an obstruction or contact call is given by the umpire. If the penalty is awarded in the shooting circle for the attacking team, they may take a penalty pass or shot.

• Shooting circle – The shooting circles are the semi-circles (or Ds) at either end of the court. Only the Goal Keeper, Goal Defence, Goal Attack, and Goal Shooter are allowed in this area. Shots can only be taken within this area.

• Throw in – A throw in is taken when the ball goes off court. Throw ins are awarded against the team that touched the ball last, and must be taken from off the court.

• Umpire – The umpires maintain the netball rules by awarding free or penalty passes and keeping track of the score. They also signify pauses and restarts in play. Most netball matches have two umpires.

• Obstruction and Contact - According to netball rules, the sport is not strictly a non-contact sport, however contact is only allowed when not impeding an opponent or general play. When a player is in possession of the ball, their opponent must stand at least three feet away from them when marking. If the player is impeded, an obstruction is called, and the offending player must stand ‘out of play’ while a penalty pass or shot is taken.

A player can decide to carry on with their pass or shot while being obstructed by their opponent if they think they will gain an advantage. If they complete a successful pass or shot, the umpire will play advantage and play will continue. If the pass/shot is unsuccessful, the umpire will stop play and bring it back for a penalty pass or shot.

• Offside - When a player retrieves the ball in an area of the court they’re not allowed to be in (e.g. the Centre catching the ball in the shooting circle) this is referred to as offside. A free pass is awarded to the opposition team for an offside call.

While a player may not be allowed to enter a certain area, they may lean on the ball in that area. This is deemed legal as long as no part of their body touches the ground in the area.

• Throw ins - When the ball goes out of play, a throw in is awarded against the team that touched it last. This is taken in the spot where the ball went out of play. For the ball to be deemed out of play, it must make contact with the ground, or a player positioned outside the area of the court