Introduction

Netball is a team sport adapted from the game of basketball. The official rules for netball, which used to be known as 'women's basketball' were formulated in England in 1901. The game was first played by women, outdoors on grass and was essentially the game we now recognise as netball.

Internationally netball is played in approximately 50 countries. Forty five of which are affiliated with the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA). The rules of the game travelled with the British colonialists and is predominantly played in countries of the British Commonwealth including Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies. The game has even spread to Japan, Canada and America.

Understanding Netball

The rules are simple. There are seven players in each team and each player has a position. The positions are:- Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Wing Attack (WA), Centre (C), Wing Defence (WD), Goal Defence (GD)and Goal Keeper (GK).

Each position is quite specialised and has a specific purpose. For example, only the Goal Shooter and Goal Attack are allowed to shoot the goals and only the Centre can restart the game after each goal is scored.

Limited body contact is allowed and you must give the player who has the ball a distance of 1 metre before you can defend.

Each position is limited to certain areas of the court and the ball must be touched by a player in each third on its way to the shooters.

The Ball

The ball is a netball is made of leather, rubber or similar material; 690 to 710 mms (27 to 28 inches) in circumference and
400 to 450 gms (14 to 16 ounces) in weight

Playing Time

A match is divided into 4 x 15 minute quarters with a 3 minute break between quarters 1 and 2 and quarters 3 and 4; 5 minute break at half time and up to 2 minutes for injuries. There are many variations including indoor netball, five-a-side netball and social netball played in the off season.

Umpires

Two umpires control the game and make decisions. Each umpire has control in the same half of the court throughout the game.

Timekeepers and Scorers

The timekeeper assists by tracking time while the game is taking place, in close liaison with the umpire. There are two scorers for each game working together. Scorer 1 is the official scorer for the game.

Officials

Match Officials are umpires, timekeepers and scorers. Team Officials are Coach, Assistant Coach, Manager, Captain and upto two primary care personnel who are qualified to diagnose and/or treat injury and/or illness (for example doctor and/or physiotherapist).

source: http://www.cybersydney.com.au; http://www.netball.org/thesport.htm