Netball is a team sport that shares similarities with basketball but has distinct rules and positions. It is predominantly played by women, though men’s netball is also growing in popularity. Netball is known for its fast-paced and dynamic nature, involving passing, shooting, and defending. Here are key features of netball:
- Teams and Positions:
- Each team typically consists of seven players, each with designated positions.
- Positions include goal shooter (GS), goal attack (GA), wing attack (WA), center (C), wing defense (WD), goal defense (GD), and goal keeper (GK).
- Players have specific areas on the court where they are allowed to move, and their roles are defined by their positions.
- Court and Scoring:
- Netball is played on a rectangular court divided into thirds, with a shooting circle at each end.
- Goals are scored by shooting the ball through the opponent’s goal ring, which is 3.05 meters (10 feet) above the ground.
- Each goal is worth one point, and only specific players (GS and GA) are allowed to shoot.
- Passing and Movement:
- Players cannot run with the ball; they must pass it to teammates to advance.
- Passing is an essential skill, and players must make quick decisions to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities.
- Defensive Play:
- Defenders aim to intercept passes, block shots, and prevent the opposing team from scoring.
- Defensive players have restrictions on where they can move and defend.
- Umpires and Officiating:
- Netball is officiated by umpires who enforce the rules and ensure fair play.
- Players must adhere to specific rules, including maintaining proper distances, not stepping out of bounds, and respecting the marked zones on the court.
- Duration:
- Netball matches are typically divided into quarters, with each quarter lasting a set amount of time (usually 15 minutes).
- The team with the most points at the end of the match is declared the winner.
Netball is popular in many countries, especially in the Commonwealth nations. It is played at various levels, from casual and school competitions to international tournaments. The International Netball Federation (INF) governs the sport globally. Netball is often played by women and girls of all ages and provides a combination of physical activity, strategic play, and teamwork.