Appendix 1: 4 v 4 Netball Rules
Rule 1: Equipment
Rule 3: Officials
1.1 Court
3.1 Junior Co-ordinators/Star Helpers
The game is played on one third of a standard
Netball court. Maximum length of the third is 20.3
metres and the maximum width is 15.25 metres.
Outline of the third (sidelines, transverse and goal
line) is the markings for the game. Courts should be
level/flat, clear of any items that could cause injury
(leaves, loose gravel).
The game will be assisted by either the Junior
Co-ordinator or the Star Helper. The person will
assist the players and support them during play.
Their role is to ensure the players are abiding by
the rules and assisting them with encouragement of
pivoting, grounding one foot, and obstruction.
1.2 Goalposts
Goalposts should measure 2.1 metres from the
ground. The two posts are adjustable and should be
placed at the centre point of the goal third sidelines.
If this is unattainable, a hula hoop may be held by a
parent or older sibling. Nets should preferably be
fitted onto the portable goalposts.
1.3Ball
The ball must be a playground Netball e.g.
20 centimetres – textured surface ball.
1.4Players
1.4.1 Footwear
Suitable sports footwear must be worn.
1.4.2 Bibs
Different coloured bibs can be used, or bibs turned
inside out.
It is preferred that the game is controlled by
direction given by the Junior Co-ordinator or Star
Helper rather than through the use of a whistle.
Rule 4: The Team
Girls and boys can both play. Players may register
as individuals, with teams being made up each
week. There will be four players from each team on
the court at a time. Teams have rolling substitutions
that can be made at any time throughout the
game. A maximum of six players per team is
recommended.
Rule 5: Late Arrivals
At the beginning of the game, both teams must
have three players on the court. There are no
penalties for late arrivals, providing this requirement
is met.
1.4.3 Jewellery
Rule 6: Substitution and Team Changes
No item of jewellery shall be worn.
Teams are allowed to use rolling substitutions to
ensure equal playing time. Players can be swapped
at any time during the game, with players meeting
at the sideline and tagging, so one player comes off
and another goes on.
Rule 2: Duration of Game
Each game should be made up of 2 x 8–minute
halves, with a 2–minute interval in between. Teams
can change their shooting end at half-time but if too
confusing, this isn’t required.
4 v 4 Netball Rules continued
Rule 7: Stoppages
Rule 9: Offside
Stoppages will not occur unless there is:
There is no offside.
• Injury or illness — Play may stop if any player on
court sustains injury or illness, and may only be
attended to by the Junior Co-ordinator or Star
Helper while on court. Time will be held while the
player is being attended to. The player can be
replaced by any other player on the same team.
The extent of the injury/illness will determine
the amount of time given, chosen by the Junior
Co-ordinator or Star Helper. Play will continue
from where it was originally stopped at.
• Blood — The Junior Co-ordinator or Star Helper is
required to stop time if any player on court has
bleeding occurring. The time can be held for any
necessary amount of time, and the player must
be removed from the court while being attended
to, but may go back on after the wound has been
covered adequately. The ball must be cleaned if
necessary.
• Emergencies — Stoppage of the game can occur
if there is an emergency that could result in harm
to any of the players or spectators. This could
include:
• Equipment
• The court
• The weather
• Injury/illness of an umpire
• Spectator aggression.
It is up to the Junior Co-ordinator or Star Helper
to decide whether stoppage needs to occur, and
to analyse the extent of the situation. The Junior
Co-ordinator or Star Helper will determine the
length of time the game stops for.
Rule 8: Playing Areas
All players are allowed anywhere on the court, but
must stay inside the lines during play.
Rule 10: Out of Court
The ball is deemed out of court when it, or a player
touching it, touches the ground or any object out
of the playing court. A throw-in is awarded to the
opposing team. The line counts as part of the court.
If the ball hits the goalpost but bounces back into
the field of play, play continues.
The throw-in is taken from where the ball crossed
the line. The pass must be made within 5 seconds,
and can be taken by any player on court. The
player must stand behind but as close to the line as
possible.
Rule 11: Positioning of Players for Start
of Play
Players can start anywhere on the court. ‘Centre’
begins at the transverse line on the opposition’s
goal line to make the first pass.
Rule 12: Start of Play
One player from each team will use Paper, Scissors,
Rock to determine who will start with the ball at the
start of each half. Play starts with a throw–in behind
the opposition’s goal line (sideline of full court).
After a goal has been scored, play continues with
a goal line throw-in. The player throwing in must
stand close to the line and cannot enter onto the
court until the ball has been received on court. The
Junior Co-ordinator or Star Helper may say “play” if
needed and the ball must be released within
5 seconds, with players obeying the footwork rule.
Rule 13: Playing the Ball
Rule 15: Scoring a Goal
A player must: pass or shoot the ball within
5 seconds. The Junior Co-ordinator or Star Helper
can help players by counting down from five, to
provide awareness of release time
A goal may be scored by any player on the court.
Players who are unsuccessful after a couple of
attempts are to be encouraged to pass the ball to
another team member who has not had a shot.
A player may not:
• Deliberately kick the ball
Rule 16: Obstruction
• P
lace their hands on the ball while held by an
opponent
Players are not allowed to defend or mark the player
with the ball. Players are to be encouraged by the
Junior Co-ordinator or Star Helper to move back and
keep hands down.
• Throw the ball while sitting or lying on the ground
• Regain possession of the ball, having dropped or
thrown it before it has been touched by another
player.
Rule 14: Footwork
Players are encouraged to be stationary once they
have received the ball, landing on either one or
both feet. Players may take additional steps to gain
balance, but walking toward their passing option
should be discouraged. The Junior Co-ordinator or
Star Helper may ask the player to move back to
the original point of landing or encourage players
to remain on the first grounded foot. If the player
continues taking 3 to 4 steps, a free pass is awarded
to the opposing team. It is important that players
are supported by the umpires in developing players’
stable body positions to pass or shoot.
Rule 17: Contact
Players may not push, trip, knock, bump or hold
an opponent, regardless of being deliberate or
accidental. The Junior Co-ordinator or Star Helper
should discourage players from making physical
contact with any other player or the ball, and a
penalty should be rewarded if contacting continues
or a player is overly aggressive after discouragement
and explanation.
Rule 18: Penalties
A free pass is awarded for rule infringements.
A penalty pass or shot is awarded for contact.