Rules of netball

[1] Games are played on a rectangular court divided into thirds, with a raised goal at each short end.

Players are assigned "positions" that define their role within the team and restrict their movement on court.

Netball games are 60 minutes long, divided into 15-minute quarters, at the end of which the team with more goals scored wins.

[2][3][4] Netball is played on either a hard or soft court with scoring hoops or "rings" at both ends.

[5][7] The court is divided into thirds which regulate where individuals of each position are allowed to move.

[5] The goal posts are 3.05 metres (10.0 ft) high from the top of the ring to the ground and have no backboards.

[5] The ball is made of leather, rubber or similar material, measures 680 to 710 millimetres (27 to 28 in) in circumference and weighs 397 to 454 grams (14 to 16 oz).

[8][9] For INF sanctioned competitions, Gilbert is the official supplier of netball balls.

[12] Overtimes, in elimination games, consist of two straight seven-minute periods; if still tied after fourteen minutes, whoever is up two points will win.

As the game restarts, only the two centre players are allowed in the centre third: when the umpire blows the whistle to restart play, the goal attack, goal defence, wing attack and wing defence players can move into the centre third to receive the pass.

[8] A player may tap or deflect the ball, let it bounce and then take possession and throw it.

These rules, combined with the restrictions on where one player of a particular position can move, ensure that everyone on the team is regularly involved in play.

The passer then shifts the weight to the forward foot, while moving the ball with their hand forward and extending the elbow, and releasing the ball as the elbow fully extends at shoulder height.

[31] The purpose of the two-handed pass is to accurately deliver the ball to another player who is in motion.

[32] The ball should be aimed low at the ground and released with a great deal of force.

[33] The purpose of the lob and drop passes is to get around a defender and reach a teammate who is moving away from the passer.

[39] The goal keeper should be comfortable making penalty passes and inbounding the ball.

A ball that passes through the hoop, but has been thrown either from outside the circle or by a player other than the two shooters, is deemed a "no goal".

Furthermore, a shooter (GA or GS) may not shoot for a goal if a "free pass" has been awarded for an infringement such as stepping, offside, or using the post.

In 1893, Martina Bergman-Österberg informally introduced one version of basketball to her female physical training students at the Hampstead Physical Training College in London, after having seen the game being played in the United States.

Substantial revisions were made during a visit in 1897 from another American teacher, Miss Porter, who introduced rules from women's basketball in the United States; the game also moved outdoors onto grass courts, the playing court was divided into three zones, and the baskets were replaced with rings that had nets.