AT A GLANCE
- Less use of the whistle, and less stoppages, keeping the game “fast”
- GK and GS can come up to the half way line, all other positions remain the same
- Power Rounds for each team nominated at the beginning of the game
- 3 point shots from outside of the circle
- Unlimited subs during a game
- 5 on the court, and ability for players to use more of the court
- All other regular netball rules apply
- THE OBJECT OF THE GAME Is to score more goals than the opposition. Goals are scored when a team member positioned in, or outside of the attacking shooting circle shoots the ball through the goal ring. Netball is played on a rectangular court, which is divided into areas called thirds. There are two goal thirds and between them is the centre third. The centre circle is in the middle of the centre third and this is where play begins. At the end of each goal third is a `goal circle’, which is actually a semi-circle around the goal hoop. Goals can be shot by a player within the goal circle, or GS or GA may choose to take the shot from outside of the circle for extra points. The teams have a goal post each and can only score by shooting the ball through their own hoop. Each player is allowed in only a certain area of the court and the lines on the court are part of the playing area.
- COURT The game is played on a Netball court. The area inside the semi-circle is the Inner Circle. The area outside the semi-circle is the Outer Circle.
- SCORING A GOAL A goal is scored when the ball is thrown or batted over and completely through the ring by Goal Shooter or Goal Attack from any point within the Goal Third including the Goal Circle. Each successful goal will score a number of goal points as specified below:
- 3 goal points: the shot (known as a Super Shot) is deemed to have been made from outside the Goal Circle – this means the player who takes the shot shall not have any contact with the ground inside the Goal Circle during the catching of the ball or whilst holding it; takes the shot shall not have any contact with the ground inside the Inner Circle during the catching of the ball or whilst holding it;
- 1 goal point: the shot is deemed to have been made from the Inner Circle.
- If a player lands simultaneously across a circle boundary the shot is deemed to have been made from the circle which scores the fewer number of goal points. During a team’s Power Play quarter all goal points scored are doubled.
- TEAM There shall be five (5) playing positions in each team whose playing areas shall be the same as in Netball: Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Centre (C), Goal Defence (GD), and Goal Keeper (GK). When the game is ready to start, a team must take the Court if there are at least four (4) players present, one of whom must play Centre. There must be a minimum of two (2) members of either sex on the field at all times for the mixed Competition.
- STARTING PLAY Play is started with a pass from the centre circle – this is called the centre pass. There is a centre pass at the beginning of each quarter and half, and after each goal is scored. The person making the centre pass must stand in the centre circle. The opposing centre can stand anywhere in the centre third but all other players must stay in the goal thirds (behind the middle third lines) until the umpire blows the whistle to start play. Before the start of the game the Captains shall toss for choice of goal end and Power Play quarter. The Scorers and Umpires shall be advised of the result of the toss. All other Centre Passes shall be taken by the team that did not score the last goal.
- The team winning the coin toss shall:
- Choose goal end for the start of play
- Take the first Centre Pass in the first and third quarters
- Have first choice of a Power Play quarter.
- The team losing the coin toss shall:
- Take the first Centre Pass in the second and fourth quarters
- Choose a Power Play quarter not selected by the other team.
- OFFSIDE Each player is allowed in only a certain area of the court. If a player steps into an area or any part of their body touches the ground in an area their playing position is not allowed to go, will be ruled offside.
- GS, GK – Can play in their two thirds, and their goal circle
- GD, GA – Can play in all three thirds, and their goal circle, but not the oppositions goal circle
- C – Can play the entire court, but not go into either goal circles
- STEPPING Once a player has landed with the ball, the first landed foot is called the grounded foot and must either stay on the ground or in the air until the ball is passed on. Re-grounding that same foot a second time while still in possession of the ball is a step which will result in a free pass to the opposition. Similarly, a hop, slide or drag of the grounded foot is not permitted.
- PLAYING THE BALL Once the ball has been caught; the player must pass it or shoot for goal within three seconds.
- OBSTRUCTION When a player is defending another player or trying to intercept the ball they must be at least 0.9 metres away from the grounded foot of the player who has the ball.
- CONTACT A player is not allowed to physically contact an opponent if it disrupts or stops that person from playing. Pushing the ball out of an opponent’s hands is also not permitted.
- PENALTY PASS OR SHOOT For contact, obstruction or moving the goalpost penalties, the offending player must stand down from play, away from the thrower and where the umpire has indicated. A goal shooter or goal attack taking the penalty pass or shot in the goal circle can either pass the ball or shoot for goal.
- THROW IN When the ball goes out of court, the umpire takes note of which team touched it last. The throw in is then taken by a player from the opposing team close to where the ball went out of court. Standing close to the line from the outside of court, the player has three seconds to get the ball back in play.
- SUBSTITUTIONS Substitutions may be made at intervals and there is no limit to the number that can be made. At all times there must be five players on the court. Both the substitute and the player leaving the Court shall observe the Offside Rule when leaving or entering the Court.
- GAME DURATION 8-10 minute quarters with a 2 minute halftime. No clock stoppages will be made except under exceptional circumstances. Such circumstance will be at the sole discretion of the UR Rep.
- WINNING TEAM The winner is the team with the greater number of goals at the end of the game. A draw will be awarded if both teams have an equal amount of goals. For the competition ladder, the winning team receives 3 points, 1 point each for drawn game and no points for a loss
- FAIRPLAY SYSTEM each league night you will have a referee onsite, but these guys are not official referees. Urban Rec is proud to be the only non-competitive league which practices fair play, meaning you should be making your own calls on the game. The referee will be there to make the calls not made by individuals, keep time, and help guide the games within the game play rules. The Urban Rec Referee has the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.
- SPORTSMANSHIP if you are seen to be rude or not playing within the respect of the rules you will be asked to sub, and warned by one of our Rep’s if after two times you do not show your sportsmanship, you will be asked to leave the field, and an assessment will be made if you can play again. We do not tolerate idiots. Play fair.
Note that the above details are generic Fast5 Netball rules. The rules for each specific league may differ. Source: Urbanrec