Appendix 1: 5 v 5 Netball Rules
SECTION I – ORGANISATION OF THE GAME
Rule 1: Equipment
1.1 Court
1.1.1 T
he court shall have a firm surface and be no
bigger than 20.3 metres long and 15.25 metres
wide. The longer sides shall be called side lines
and the shorter sides goal lines. Courts should
be level/flat and clear of any items that could
cause injury (e.g. leaves, loose gravel).
1.1.2 The game is played on two thirds of a standard
Netball court. The maximum length of the
thirds combined is 20.3 metres and the
maximum width is 15.25 metres. The outline
of the playing area (goal line, sidelines, and
second transverse line with the first transverse
making half way line) are the markings for the
court.
1.1.3 G
oal circles can be identified by marking the
same area with flat spots or chalk lines on
the second transverse line (circle radius
4.9 metres).
1.2 GoalPosts
Goalposts should measure 2.6 metres from the
ground. The goalposts should be placed at the
centre point of the goal line and transverse line.
The goalposts should not protrude onto the court.
It is preferable that nets are fitted on the goalposts.
1.3Ball
The ball shall be a Netball, size 4. The ball should be
safe and made of leather, rubber or similar material.
Rule 2: Duration of Game
Each game should be made up of 4 x 8-minute
quarters, with a maximum of 1-minute intervals.
Teams should change shooting end at each interval
but if too confusing, this isn’t required.
Rule 3: Officials
3.1 Coaches
The game will be assisted by two coaches, one from
each team. The coaches will assist and support play
in the team’s attacking half. The coaches will ensure
that the rules of the game are abided by and also
that players are assisted, e.g. encouraged to pivot,
ground one foot, asked to stand back if obstructing.
It is preferable that the game is controlled by
direction given by the coaches rather than through
the use of a whistle.
Rule 4: The Team
4.1 The game may be played by mixed or singlesex teams.
4.2 GS, GA, C, GD and GK or 2 x A, 2 x D and 1 x C
bibs can be used.
4.3 Five players are allowed on the court at any one
time and a maximum of eight players per team
is recommended.
Rule 5: Late Arrivals
At the beginning of the game, both teams must
have four players on court. There are no penalties
for late arrivals providing this requirement is met.
1.4Players
Rule 6: Substitution and Team Changes
1.4.1 Suitable sports footwear may be worn. Spiked
soles are not allowed.
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 (high-fiving), so one
player comes off and another goes on.
1.4.2 Uniforms are not essential. Please refer to your
Netball Centre rules.
1.4.3 No item of jewellery, except a medical alert
bracelet, shall be worn. If either or both are
worn, each shall be covered up with tape.
1.4.5 Fingernails shall be short and smooth
Rule 7: Stoppages
Rule 8: Playing Areas
Stoppages will not occur unless there is:
8.1 The playing area for each player is highlighted above.
• Injury or illness – play may stop if any player on
court sustains injury or illness, and may only be
attended to by coach while on court. 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 coaches. Play will continue from where it was
originally stopped at.
8.2 Lines bounding each area are part of that area.
• Blood – The coaches are required to stop play if
any player on court is bleeding. 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.
9.2 If an offside player is in possession of the ball,
remind them of the half they are currently playing
in and hand the ball over to the opposition.
• 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 weather
- Injury/illness of a coach
- Spectator aggression
It is up to the coaches to decide whether stoppage
needs to occur and to analyse the extent of the
situation. The coach will determine the length of
time the game stops for.
SECTION II – AREAS OF PLAY
A
9.1 A player is offside if they enter an area where
they are not allowed, i.e the other half of the
court. Coaches encourage the player to quickly
get back in their own half if the player isn’t in
possession of the ball.
Rule 10: Out of Court
10.1 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 into court, it is still in play.
10.2 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.
- The court
Maximum Length
2�.3metres
Rule 9: Offside
SECTION III – CONDUCT OF THE GAME
Rule 11: Positioning of Players for Start of Play
11.3 At the start of play GS, GA, GD and GK may
stand anywhere in their half (goal third). The
opposing Centre may stand in either half.
Rule 12: Start of Play
D
D
C
Shooting Circle
Radius 4.9metres
A
12.1 Team captains use Paper, Scissors, Rock to
determine who takes the first pass from the
centre of the 5 v 5 court.
12.2 The centre pass is taken with at least one foot
on the line in the middle of the 5 v 5 court.
The centre pass must be caught outside the
goal circle.
game time
5 v 5 Netball Rules continued
12.3 The coach may say “play” if necessary and the
Centre must release the ball within 5 seconds
and obey the relaxed footwork rule.
12.4 After a goal is scored, play is recommenced
from the centre of the court (halfway) by the
opposing team.
Rule 13: Playing the Ball
13.1 A
player must:
• Pass or shoot within 5 seconds. Coaches can
help players by saying “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” so that
they realise the pass must be released.
• Obey the footwork rule.
13.2 A player may not:
• Deliberately kick the ball.
• Place their hands on a ball held by an
opponent.
• Throw the ball while sitting/lying on the
ground.
• Throw the ball over a half without it being
touched or caught by another player.
Rule 14: Footwork
Players are encouraged to be stationary once they
have received the ball, either landing on one foot
or both feet. Players are allowed to take additional
steps to gain balance but walking towards their
passing option should be discouraged. Coaches may
ask the player to move back to the original landing
position or encourage the player to keep the first
grounded foot on the ground. If the player persists
in taking 3 to 4 steps forward a free pass can be
awarded to the opposition. It is important that the
coaches support all players in the development of
landing in a stable body position from which they
can pass or shoot.
Rule 15: Scoring a Goal
15.1 A goal is scored when the ball is thrown or
batted over and completely through the ring by
Goal Shooter or Goal Attack or Attack (A) from
any point in the goal circle including the lines
bounding the goal circle.
15.2 If another player throws the ball through the
ring, no goal is scored and play continues.
Rule 16: Obstruction
Players must be at least 1 metre away from the player
with the ball, to allow space for the player with the
ball to see the passing options and release the ball.
Jumping up and down in front of a player is not
permitted. Jumping to intercept a pass or shot is
permitted if the defender is at least 1 metre away.
Rule 17: Contact
A player may not push, trip, knock, bump or hold
an opponent, whether the move is deliberate or
accidental. Coaches should discourage players from
making physical contact with the player or the ball
but a penalty pass should be awarded if contact is
continued after being discouraged or if it is overly
aggressive. The offending player must stand beside
and out of play when penalised.
SECTION IV – PENALTIES
Rule 18: Awarding Penalties
18.1 A free pass is awarded for all rule infringements,
e.g. offside, persistent stepping, centre pass not
received outside in the goal circle.
18.2 A penalty pass is awarded for contact or obstruction.