Netball Rules, Positions & Court Dimensions – Complete Guide
Learn how netball works with this beginner-friendly guide to the seven player positions, where each player can move, court dimensions, scoring and common rules. It is designed as a quick reference for students, parents, new players and anyone learning the game.
Standard netball is played by two teams of seven on a court measuring 30.5 m long and 15.25 m wide. Each player has a designated position and permitted playing area. Only the Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Attack (GA) may score, shooting from within the attacking goal circle. Players generally must pass or shoot within three seconds of gaining possession.
Court diagram · Dimensions · Positions · Rules · FAQs
Netball Court Diagram
This simplified original diagram labels the court's thirds, goal circles and centre circle. It is an illustrative guide, not a scale drawing for court construction.
Diagram orientation: The left and right ends are opposite goals. The two curved lines show the goal circles. Court markings are shared boundaries between the areas they separate.
Official Netball Court Dimensions
| Feature | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Court length | 30.5 metres |
| Court width | 15.25 metres |
| Each court third (length) | Approximately 10.17 metres |
| Goal circle radius | 4.9 metres |
| Centre circle diameter | 0.9 metres |
| Court line width | 50 millimetres |
| Court surround | 3.05 metres beyond sidelines and goal lines |
| Goal ring height | 3.05 metres above the ground |
The court has two goal thirds and a centre third. The goal circles are semicircular, with their centres at the midpoint of each goal line. Measurements above describe standard netball; junior or modified programmes may use different equipment or arrangements.
Seven Netball Positions and Where They Can Go
Each team has seven named positions. For the descriptions below, attacking means the end where your team is trying to score and defending means the end your team protects.
| Position | Name | Permitted area | Main role |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS | Goal Shooter | Attacking goal third, including goal circle | Scores goals; works close to the post. |
| GA | Goal Attack | Attacking goal third and centre third, including attacking goal circle | Supports attacking play and may shoot. |
| WA | Wing Attack | Attacking goal third (outside goal circle) and centre third | Creates passing options and feeds shooters. |
| C | Centre | All three thirds, excluding both goal circles | Links defence and attack; takes centre passes. |
| WD | Wing Defence | Defending goal third (outside goal circle) and centre third | Marks attacking players and disrupts passes. |
| GD | Goal Defence | Defending goal third and centre third, including defending goal circle | Defends shots and helps move the ball out of defence. |
| GK | Goal Keeper | Defending goal third, including goal circle | Defends near the post and contests rebounds. |
Who can shoot? Only GS and GA may shoot, and they must shoot from within their attacking goal circle. The goal-circle boundary line counts as part of the circle.
Which netball position is best for a beginner?
There is no single best position. Some players enjoy shooting (GS or GA), others enjoy passing and creating space (WA or C), while others prefer defending and intercepting (WD, GD or GK). Trying different roles helps beginners understand the whole game.
Netball Rules Explained for Beginners
1. Starting play and centre passes
The match starts with a centre pass. After every goal, the teams alternate taking centre passes, regardless of which team scored. At a centre pass, the Centre stands within the centre circle and passes after the umpire's whistle. The pass must be caught or touched by a player in the centre third.
2. The three-second rule
Once a player has possession, they must release the ball within three seconds. Holding it longer is called held ball and results in a free pass to the opposition.
3. Footwork
Players cannot simply run while holding the ball. The footwork rule governs landing, stepping and pivoting. A player may usually pivot on the landing foot, but must not illegally lift and reground it before releasing the ball. The exact ruling depends on how the player landed and gained possession.
4. Offside
Players must remain within the court areas permitted for their position. Entering an unauthorised area is offside, normally penalised with a free pass.
5. Obstruction
When actively defending a player in possession, the defender generally needs to be at least 0.9 metres (3 feet) away, measured under the official foot-position rule. A defender closer than this must not interfere with the passing or shooting action. Obstruction is more detailed than simply standing too close.
6. Contact
Players must not make contact that unfairly interferes with an opponent or causes an infringement under the rules. Umpires consider factors such as movement, landing space and interference. Contact infringements are generally penalised with a penalty pass.
7. Short passes and over a third
A pass must allow a player from either team a reasonable opportunity to intercept or deflect the ball as required by the short-pass rule. A ball cannot travel directly from one goal third to the opposite goal third without being touched or caught in the centre third; this is called over a third.
8. Playing the ball
Netball does not use continuous basketball-style dribbling. However, under the updated rules, some actions such as bouncing or batting the ball once before catching it are permitted when gaining possession. Check the current official rules rather than relying on older simplified descriptions of a 'replayed ball'.
9. Out of court
If the ball goes out of court, play generally restarts with a throw-in taken by the team that did not last touch the ball. Players must take the throw-in from the correct position outside the boundary.
How Scoring Works in Netball
A successful goal is worth one point in standard netball. Only GS or GA can score, with the shot taken from within the attacking goal circle. The ball must pass down through the ring. Some alternative formats, such as FAST5, have different scoring systems.
How Long Is a Netball Game?
Under standard international rules, a match consists of four 15-minute quarters, totalling 60 minutes of playing time, plus intervals and stoppages. School, junior and recreational competitions may use shorter periods.
Netball Equipment and Ball Sizes
Standard senior netball uses a size 5 netball. Some junior programmes use smaller or lighter balls, including size 4, to suit developing players. Suitable sports shoes, appropriate clothing and safe court conditions are important. Check your competition's requirements before buying equipment.
Beginner Netball Tips
- Learn the boundaries of your assigned position before a match.
- Practise passing accurately while moving into space.
- Count three seconds in training to build good passing habits.
- Practise safe landing and pivoting to reduce footwork errors.
- Communicate with teammates and look before passing.
- Follow umpire instructions and respect opponents' landing space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players are on a netball team?
Seven players per team are on court in standard netball, each assigned a different position. Competitions also allow substitutes subject to their rules.
Can the Centre shoot in netball?
No. The Centre may move through all three thirds but cannot enter either goal circle and cannot shoot.
Can Goal Attack go into the centre third?
Yes. Goal Attack can play in the attacking goal third, including the goal circle, and in the centre third.
Can you take two steps in netball?
Netball footwork is not simply a universal 'two-step rule'. Legal movement depends on how the player catches or lands with the ball. Learn the landing-foot and pivot rules.
How far away must a defender stand?
When actively defending the ball, the usual required distance is 0.9 metres (3 feet), subject to the specific obstruction rules.
What is the difference between a free pass and a penalty pass?
A free pass is used for many technical infringements, while a penalty pass is used for infringements such as contact or obstruction. At a penalty pass, the infringing player may be required to stand out of play until the ball is released.
Are netball rules the same for children?
Not always. Junior programmes may modify match length, ball size, goal height or other conditions to suit participants.
Official Rules and Further Reading
For authoritative rule wording and updates, refer to World Netball's Rules of Netball and Netball Australia. This guide is an independent summary, not a reproduction of the official rule book.
Disclaimer
This page is for general educational information and is not an official rule book or court-construction specification. Rules and competition arrangements can change and may vary by age group, competition and playing format. Refer to the current governing-body rules and your competition organiser for authoritative requirements. Fosmore is not affiliated with or endorsed by World Netball or Netball Australia.