Everything you need to know about netball

Basketball is a popular discipline that is known in all parts of the world. Although technically both men and women can take part in this game, it may be hard for female players to keep up with the game. This is why a new game was invented. Netball originated from basketball. Nowadays, it is considered an independent discipline. What else should you know about netball?

Rules

Competitions are held on a rectangular grass field, which is divided into 3 zones. Its length is 30.5 meters, and the width is 15.25 meters. On both sides of the field, semicircular areas with a radius of 4.9 meters are marked. These areas are called the “goal area”. The goal of the game is to throw the ball into the opponent’s net. The diameter of the ring is 38 cm and the height of the location is 3.05 m. Balls made of leather or rubber are used for the game. They are smaller and lighter than in basketball: their circumference is 68 to 71 centimeters, and the weight is 397-454 g.

The main differences between netball and basketball are the net without a shield and the rules of the game:

• The ball cannot be dribbled. What players can to is throw it within three seconds of being in a player’s hands.
• The field is divided into three zones, and the passes must go through all of them before they reach the ring.
• It is not allowed to attack, you can take the ball away only when it flies.
• The game consists of four rounds, lasting for 15 minutes each, with a three-minute break in between.
• Each team consists of seven people.

At first glance, the rules look tough, and the game seems to be superfast and incredibly dynamic. In fact, players can easily cope with the rules.

The game consists of four quarters of 15 minutes each. The ball is played with a throw. If two players have grabbed the ball and the referee has difficulty deciding who is right, he hits the ball on the ground and when it bounces, the members of the teams try to catch it again. Then the projectile is passed between the players, and the ball may only be thrown and received while standing. A teammate may hold the ball for no more than 3 seconds and then pass it to another teammate. It is allowed to hit the ball with your hands, not with your fist.

Rolling, kicking the ball, as well as throwing it up and catching it again are prohibited. It is not allowed to take the ball away from opponents.

Team

There are two teams in the game, with the number of participants in each team varying from 7 to 12, depending on the country. For example, the United States and Great Britain officially approve a team size of seven. This rule was established in 1956 and was approved by the International Federation in 1960. Yet, in Holland, where the game is called Corfball, there are twelve players in each team.

Each team member plays a strictly defined functional role. In total, there are seven roles.

1. Goal Shooter, or GS, is placed in the opposing team’s offensive zone and goal area.
2. Goal Attacker, or GA, plays in the midfield as well as the opponent’s offense and goal area.
3. Wing Attacker, often referred to as WA, plays in the center zone and attacking area but is not allowed to enter the opponents’ goal area.
4. Center Player (“Centre”, or C) plays a primary liaison role. Her area of responsibility is the widest, and she is not forbidden to play anywhere except the opponents’ goal area.
5. Wing Defender (on the player’s uniform it is called WD) plays in the center of the field and in the defense area.
6. Goal Defender (GD) plays in the central area and in the defensive area, including the goal area.
7. Goal Keeper can act in the goal area and in the defense area.

Players are only allowed to move within their own area, without crossing the boundaries.

Origins

Having originated from basketball, netball quickly became a discipline of its own. As you know, basketball was invented in Canada in 1891, thanks to physical education teacher James Naismith. It quickly gained popularity in the United States. A year later, Senda Berenson, who was the head of the physical education department at the Massachusetts College, modified the rules to make the game easier for girls.

However, the new kind of basketball gained recognition only after it had made its way to Great Britain. Here, at Hampstead College in London, a teacher Martina Bergman-Osterberg slightly changed the rules of the discipline. What changes were made?

• The basket was replaced by a ring with a net.
• The games took place on grass-covered courts.

It was in England that the game was called “netball”. The game became popular very quickly, reaching Australia and New Zealand in the early 20th century.

Since 1960, the International Federation of Netball (IFNA) has overseen the discipline. In 1963, the first World Championship was organized with the participation of teams from 11 countries. In 1995, the discipline received Olympic status, but it has not yet been included in the program of the Games, although in 2012, the IOC received a petition with the signatures of more than 600,000 people. In 1998, a lot of competitions were held in the framework of the Games of the Commonwealth countries and since then, have been taking place on a regular basis.

Men also play netball. In 1985, the Australian Men’s Championship was held. And in 2004, Australia hosted New Zealand and Fiji in a similar championship. Nowadays, men netball is played in Britain, Canada, Pakistan, the Emirates and some other countries. However, all the competitions are amateur, because the International Federation bans them at the professional level.

All in all, netball is a fascinating team game that used to serve as a basketball substitution for women. Nowadays, this individual discipline is popular in many countries.