Ball Sports 🇬🇧United Kingdom19th century

Netball

Q: How is netball different from basketball?

Netball: 7-a-side, court divided into thirds, no dribbling, only 2 designated shooters (GA + GS), goal ring 3.05m high (no backboard), 3-second rule. Basketball: 5-a-side, full court, dribbling required, all 5 can shoot, ring 3.05m high with backboard, 24-second shot clock. Netball emerged in 1890s as 'women's basketball' + evolved separately.

Q: Which countries are best at netball?

Australia (11 World Championships, most successful nation), New Zealand (5 titles), Jamaica (2× World Cup finalist), England (2019 Commonwealth Games gold). Traditionally Commonwealth-dominated; South Africa emerging power. Australia's Diamonds + NZ's Silver Ferns dominant historically.

Q: Is netball in the Olympics?

No — netball is NOT on Olympic programme. World Netball has campaigned for Olympic inclusion but not yet succeeded. Netball IS a Commonwealth Games sport since 1998 — Commonwealth Games is the pinnacle Olympic-adjacent event for netball. World Netball Championships (World Cup) held every 4 years.

Q: Do men play netball?

Yes — mixed netball + men's netball are growing globally. Men's Netball World Cup held since 2018. Suncorp Super Netball (Australia) is women-only but AAMI Community Netball has men's + mixed teams. Historically female-only but now inclusive.

Q: What are the 7 positions in netball?

GS (Goal Shooter), GA (Goal Attack), WA (Wing Attack), C (Centre), WD (Wing Defence), GD (Goal Defence), GK (Goal Keeper). Each restricted to specific court thirds. Only GA + GS can score (from inside goal circle). C can go anywhere except goal circles.

Q: What is the Suncorp Super Netball 'Super Shot'?

Introduced 2020 in Suncorp Super Netball (Australia): in the LAST 5 MINUTES of each quarter, shots from OUTSIDE the inner circle (but still in goal circle) score 2 POINTS instead of 1. This changes late-quarter strategy dramatically. Increased scoring + created strategic decisions.

Ball sport played predominantly by women — 7 vs 7 on a rectangular court (30.5 × 15.25m) with a raised goal ring at each end; players pass the ball (no dribbling) and only 2 specific position players can score.

👥7 per team📐netball court⏱~60 min🌤indoor

What is Netball?

Netball is a ball sport for two teams of seven players, derived from early versions of basketball adapted for women in the 1890s in USA + England (originally 'Women's Basketball'). Codified in England 1901 by All-England Women's Netball Association; became international sport 1963 when International Federation of Netball formed. Played on rectangular court 30.5 × 15.25m divided into thirds; each player restricted to specific court zones by position. Players cannot dribble the ball — must pivot on one foot after catching. Only Goal Shooter (GS) + Goal Attack (GA) may score into the raised 3.05m goal ring. 7 positions with specific court roles: GK (Goal Keeper), GD (Goal Defence), WD (Wing Defence), C (Centre), WA (Wing Attack), GA (Goal Attack), GS (Goal Shooter). Popular in Commonwealth nations: Australia + New Zealand dominant historically. Commonwealth Games sport since 1998. World Championships every 4 years. Suncorp Super Netball (Australia) + ANZ Premiership (NZ) are top professional leagues. Growing men's + mixed netball worldwide.

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Score more goals than opponent by throwing ball through opponent's goal ring. Only GA + GS may attempt goals (from within the goal circle).

Match structure

Match starts with centre pass at centre circle. After each goal, opposing team gets centre pass. Continue for 4 quarters. Team with most goals at end wins.

Rules

Basic rules

7 positions (5 restricted, 2 shooters)
GS + GA can score. WA + C + WD move in specified thirds. GD + GK defend + can't cross halfway line.
No dribbling
Must catch ball; can pivot on landing foot but cannot bounce ball while running.
3-second rule
Must pass/shoot within 3 sec of catching.
3-foot marking
Defender must stand at least 3 feet from opponent with ball.
Only GA + GS score
Others cannot attempt goal; ball must be in goal circle when shot.
Centre pass alternates
After each goal, opposing team gets centre pass to restart.
1 point per goal
Simple scoring; some pro leagues have 2-point super shots from outside circle.

Advanced rules

Footwork rule
After catching, landing foot becomes pivot foot; cannot lift + replace it before passing/shooting.
Obstruction
Cannot obstruct opponent's shot or pass; foul awards free pass to opponent.
Contact rule
Cannot physically contact opponent (push, hold, trip); foul = free pass or penalty pass.
Offside (Position restriction violation)
Player caught outside their assigned court zone = throw-in to opponents.
Super Shot (Suncorp Super Netball)
In final 5 min of each quarter, shots from outside inner circle = 2 pts.

Scoring

1 point per goal (some pro leagues have 2-point super shots). Match total = goals scored across 4 quarters.

Action	Points
Goal from inside circle	+1
Super Shot (Suncorp: last 5 min of quarter, from outer circle)	+2
Quarter break	Team with more goals leads at quarter end
Match total (4 quarters)	Sum of all quarter goals

Win condition · Team with more goals at end of 4 quarters wins.

Playing area

Called

netball court

Dimensions

30.5m × 15.25m rectangular (100 × 50 ft); divided into thirds; goal circle 4.9m radius semicircle at each end; goal post 3.05m high with ring 4.5m from centre.

Wooden or synthetic indoor court; painted lines dividing thirds + goal circles. Goal post at each end has ring 3.05m high, 380mm diameter.

Equipment

Netball
Size 5 or 4 ball (Molten or Gilbert brand); 690-710 g weight; circumference 68.5-71 cm.
Goal post + ring
3.05m tall goal post; 380mm diameter ring at top; net attached below.
Bibs (position markers)
Each player wears bib with position abbreviation: GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD, GK.
Uniform (dress/skort + shirt)
Traditional women's uniform: dress or skort + jersey; modern shorts allowed.
Court shoes (non-marking)
Court-specific shoes for indoor grip.

Officiating

2 umpires each responsible for one half of court + half of goal circle; whistle signals fouls + goals.

2 Umpires (half-court each)
Timekeeper
Scorer

Strategies

Zone defense
Defenders cover areas + intercept passes; effective against fast-passing teams.
One-on-one marking
Each defender tracks specific opponent; disrupts passing lanes.
Shooting rotation (GA + GS)
Different shooters take turns; keep opponents guessing.
Fast breaks
Quick centre pass + long passes forward; catch defense off-guard.
Super Shot management (Suncorp)
In last 5 min of quarter, decide when to attempt 2-pointers.

Terminology

Bib: Position marker worn by players: GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD, GK.
Centre Pass: Ball restart at centre circle after each goal.
Goal Circle: Semi-circular area (4.9m radius) around goal post; only shooters can attempt shots inside.
Goal Post + Ring: 3.05m tall post with 380mm ring at top; shooters throw ball through.
Third: Court divided into 3 zones: defensive third, centre third, attacking third.
Footwork violation: Lifting landing foot before passing/shooting = free pass to opponent.
Obstruction: Standing < 3 ft from opponent with ball = foul.
Held ball: Not releasing ball within 3 sec = free pass to opponent.
Interception: Defensive player catches opponent's pass mid-flight.
Super Shot: Suncorp: 2-point shot from outside inner circle in last 5 min of quarter.
Silver Ferns: New Zealand national netball team.
Vitality Roses: England national netball team.
Diamonds: Australia national netball team.

Major competitions

World Netball Championships (Netball World Cup)
quadrennial · worldwide · since 1963
Commonwealth Games (Netball)
quadrennial · Commonwealth · since 1998
Suncorp Super Netball (Australia)
annual · Australia · since 2017
ANZ Premiership (NZ)
annual · NZ · since 1998
Netball Superleague (UK)
annual · UK · since 2005

Where it is played

Governing bodies

World Netball (formerly International Netball Federation, INF)
Founded 1963 · Manchester, UK
Official site ↗
Netball Australia
Founded 1970 · Melbourne, Australia
Netball New Zealand
Founded 1924 · Auckland, NZ
England Netball
Founded 1926 · Loughborough, UK

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Liz Ellis (Australia, b. 1973) — Considered greatest netball player ever; 2× World Champion; captain of Australia
Casey Kopua (New Zealand) — 2× World Cup winner (2003, 2007); Silver Ferns legend
Irene van Dyk (South Africa/NZ, b. 1972) — All-time top goal scorer in international netball; played for SA + NZ
Sharelle McMahon (Australia, b. 1977) — Multi-time World Champion Australian shooter
Serena Guthrie (England) — 4× England Vitality Roses captain; Commonwealth Games winner 2018
Geva Mentor (England) — Captain of England's historic 2018 Commonwealth Games gold
Laura Langman (New Zealand) — 4× ANZ Champion; NZ captain; retired 2021
Jhaniele Fowler (Jamaica) — Best current international shooter; multi-time Super Netball MVP
Katrina Grant (New Zealand) — Silver Ferns captain 2013-2019

Records

Most World Championship titles
Australia — 11 (as of 2023) (2023)
Second most titles
New Zealand — 5 (as of 2023) (2023)
Highest international goal scorer
Irene van Dyk (SA/NZ) — 7,300+ international goals (2014)
Most Commonwealth Games gold
Australia — 5 gold medals (1998-2022) (2022)
England's historic 2018 Commonwealth gold
England Roses — Beat AUS 52-51 in final (dramatic last-second) (2018)

Learn this sport

beginner

1
School / community netball
Widely taught in UK/AU/NZ schools; join local team.
2
Learn 7 positions
Understand where each position can move + role.
3
Basic passes + footwork
Chest pass, bounce pass, pivot on landing foot.

intermediate

1
Club team
Weekly training + matches in local league.
2
Position specialization
Focus on 1-2 positions; work on specific skills.
3
Regional squad
State/county-level selection based on club performance.

advanced

1
Professional contract
Suncorp Super Netball (AU), ANZ Premiership (NZ), Superleague (UK) — top-tier leagues.
2
National team selection
Silver Ferns (NZ), Diamonds (AU), Roses (England), Sunshine Girls (Jamaica) etc.
3
World Cup + Commonwealth Games
Every 4 years each — pinnacle events.

Frequently asked

How is netball different from basketball?+