Indoor Netball Rules

• GS & GK must be in the goal circle before the whistle is blown for all centre passes. Once whistle has blown, GS & GK may leave the circle to contest the centre pass. GA & GD may move freely within the goal third.
  
• No player can receive the centre pass in the goal circle.
  
• The centre pass must be touched by a player before hitting the net. A free pass is awarded to the opposing team if it is untouched.
  
• The whistle for a centre pass will be blown when the centre steps on the middle white line, in the blue area. If the centre deliberately waits for their own players to be onside before stepping on the white line they may be penalised for 'delaying' play.
  
  Areas of Play.
  
  

  A

  A

  B

  B

  
  
• Centre = All of the court except the goal circles.
• GS & GK = Only allowed in their half of the court A or B (as in above diagram).
• GA & GD = All of the court except for the opposing teams goal circle.

Late Arrivals & Substitutions

• There must be 3 of the team members present for the game not to be classed as a forfeit.
  
  
• If a team is over 5 minutes late for a scheduled match it may be called a forfeit and forfeit fees will apply.
  
  
• Substitutions can only be made at the 1/2 time break, or in the event of injury or illness. If this occurs the player coming on must take the vacant position.
  
  
• If a team takes the court short of players, when the late players arrive they must wait for the next centre pass & inform the umpire before entering the court. They must go on in the vacant position.
  
  
• If a team has found a 'fill in' player to start the game, the late player must take the position of the 'fill in' player, at the next centre pass.
  
  
• Players may fill in (2) divisions lower than their highest grade. E.g. A division 1 player can play no lower than division 3, and must play C or out of their normal position.
  
  
• Players may play any position when they are playing in 'up' in higher grades than their own.

Net Ruling & Over a Half

• The ball must be touched by a player in either half before it hits the back net. A free pass will be awarded to the non-offending team, from the back net.

• A player may not make contact with the net whether they have possession of the ball or not. Brushing the net lightly will be allowable.

• A player may not step, land, push off or jump into the nets.

• The ball shall be 'live' of all nets. Once a player has released the ball that player may not touch or regain possession until the ball has been touched by another player, or has made contact with the goal ring. This is called a 'replay' and the other team will receive a free pass.

• The nets may not be used to 'pin' a player in such a manner as to prevent movement, or to hold onto, to gain balance when defending in the goal circle. This will result in a penalty pass or shot.

Jewellery & Nails

• No jewellery is to be worn. If you are unable to take a piece of jewellery off you must tape them.
  
  
• Nails should be short and rounded. If a complaint is made a player may be asked to tape their nails or asked to wear netball gloves.( We do not supply gloves).

Scoring

• It is advised that a person from each team sit together to score, as the score on the official score sheet is the score that will be taken.
  
  
• If there is a dispute over a score at the completion of the game and scorers were not sitting together there is little that can be done.
  
  
• For a legitimate goal to be scored on the buzzer & the umpire's call of time, the ball must have been passing through the goal ring.
  
  
• No goal will be awarded directly off the back net. The ball must touch the goal ring before the back net before going through the ring.

Teams receive:

3 points for a win.
2 points for a draw.
1 point for a loss.

Blood & injury time

If a player has blood on their body they must leave the court to remove or stop the bleeding and cover the area. Players whether bleeding or injured have 2 minutes injury time. If the player takes longer play will resume. The extra time is only played in semis and finals.

Umpires

The umpire's decision is final. They may penalise the offending player or team with whatever is considered appropriate under the rules of the game. E.g. For dangerous play or misconduct the umpire may warn the offending player or send them from the court for a specified time:

1. (3) centres.
2. Till the end of the half.
3. The game.
4. Advance the penalty.
   

The umpire also has the right to warn against harassing from the sidelines being either from players or spectators. The offending team may be penalised &/or players or spectators can be asked to leave the centre.

Under no circumstances does Sportsworld tolerate the abuse of our umpires. If a player or team has a problem with an umpire please speak to our staff members. If a player continues to disregard the rules set down they may be suspended or asked to leave the centre permanently.

The umpire's decision is final in all matters relating to the game. At no time during a game should a player question an umpire, however at a break, a player may ask for clarification of a rule.

Game Fees

• All players must pay registration/ insurance fee.
  
  
• Any person that is not registered when playing their third game can be refused entry to the court.
  
  
• We may refrain from giving or we may deduct points for teams with unregistered players.
  
  
• Full match fees must be paid before the game, regardless of the number of players.
  
  
• If a team forfeits a match, prior to game day, that team must still pay the game fee.
  
  
• If a team forfeits on the game day they must pay their game fee and the other teams game payment.
  
  
• If a team forfeits twice they may be withdrawn from the competition.

We ask all our patrons to be considerate of others and to remember they are here for a game of sport. So have fun.