32 Cool Netball Facts For Kids: Know More About This Ball Sport

Netball is played between two teams, each comprising seven to nine players.

This game is similar to basketball, as the only difference is that bouncing the ball is not permitted in netball. When playing netball, the game proceeds by passing the ball to one another until a player throws it in the hoop.

One more rule that differentiates netball from other similar games is neither can one hold the ball for over three seconds nor can one step with it. To ace this game, one needs to have skill, speed, balance, agility, and tactics.

Netball is played in Commonwealth Games and is famous among Commonwealth Nations. Gradually, it is gaining momentum in nations like the USA, Australia, England, Jamaica, and New Zealand.

History Of Netball

Netball has a fascinating history. Read on to learn some interesting facts about netball's history.

In the 1890s, this game was introduced in England. It was derived from an early basketball version created by Dr. James Naismith.

Basketball was earlier only for men, but since 1892, women's basketball was introduced. It soon became extremely popular across the USA by 1895.

But because of clothing restrictions, women's basketball was reinvented as netball.

In 1897, there was a gradual transition to netball from basketball at Madame Osterberg's College based in Dartford, England.

Did you know in the early 1900s, netball was also called 'Women's' Basketball' in Australia and New Zealand?

It is not wrong to say that this sport was in existence for more than 110 years.

Another interesting netball fact is that the ball used in these matches was brown, made from leather. The current ball used is white and is made of rubber. It offers a better grip.

The first game was played at Madame Osterberg's College in England. Soon, the entire British empire developed a liking for netball, and gradually, this international game became extremely popular among females.

Dr. James Naismith, an American teacher who introduced netball, used outdoor court and basketball guidelines. But basketball hoops were replaced with standard netted rings, and no blackboard was used. Combining all these names, the sport got the name of netball.

The first set of guidelines was introduced six years later. In 1898, Clara Baer, an American gym teacher, started preparing official rules to play this sport. Everyone got to know about it after she asked for a copy of basketball rules from Naismith.

From this copy, she picked those areas where women's basketball differs. After that, these specifications were modified, and a draft was prepared.

In 1901, netball rules were published, after which it became an official competitive sport.

Netball has spread to several parts of British colonies, including the USA.

The rules of netball and the size of the teams were modified as per the region. One team can have anywhere between five and nine players. The guidelines were not standardized till 60 years, and netball players followed their self-made guidelines most of the time.

After establishing netball associations and the International Federation of Women's Basketball, uniform rules were introduced for all teams to follow.

In 1960, all these guidelines were standardized at a conference in Sri Lanka. The representatives in this conference were from England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.

When the sport was introduced, netball was made of leather and was brown. But afterward, it was changed to white to help everyone from any position to get a better view of the ball.

The panels present in the ball enhance their flight in the air. This flight helps New Zealand and Jamaican participants to throw the ball effortlessly.

Australian netball team was the world's best and these players had won several titles. It was introduced in 1897. They have won many major tournaments and world championships in history, with three of five gold medals in the Commonwealth Games. This team has also won 11 out of 16 world cups.

To date, netball remains the most popular sport, and as per the International Netball Federation (INF), over 20 million people across 80 countries like New Zealand and Jamaica play this sport.

Netball was first introduced in Commonwealth Games in 1990, and it became an official Commonwealth game in 1998.

How is netball played?

Here are some more netball facts to help kids understand how two teams play the game. These facts will help anyone learn this game and get the most fun out of playing this game.

There are 60 netball teams, according to the International Federation of Netball Association.

Netball is one of the games played by both men and women. No stealing or backboard is allowed in netball.

Before starting to play this sport, players should know that it will last for an hour. It is split over four quarters, and each one lasts for 15 minutes.

There is an interval of three minutes between the third and fourth quarters and the first and second quarters in netball.

An umpire or a referee present on the court is allowed to call time, and as he does, the timekeeper stops the game.

A maximum of two minutes is allowed for an injury to these players.

A standard netball game features two teams of seven on each side, even though it can start with at least five registered players.

A set of positions are there to be followed by these two teams of seven or more players in netball. Different positions in the game are goal attack, goal shooter, wing attack, goalkeeper, center, goal defense, wing defense, and goalkeeper.

A netball court is bigger when compared to a basketball court and measures up to 50 ft (15.3 m) in width and 100 ft (30.5 m) in length.

This playing court is categorized into three sections that impact the movement of women players.

These sections were indicated as the middle-third of the center and two-goal thirds.

Netball is one of the games played on an artificial grass court. But a standard court is rectangular and is leveled and firm. It has a wooden surface with other materials to make it safe for players.

Two long sides measuring 100 ft (30.5 m) are known as sidelines and a semi-circle goal circle of 16.1 ft (4.9 m) in radius. The midpoint of the goal line is the center, and the circle present at the center is 3 ft (0.9 m).

Every line in the netball court is 0.16 ft (0.05 m) wide and marked in white. These lines are straight, textured, made with water-based acrylic colors, and have crisp and clean edges.

The height of a standard netball goal post is 10 ft (3.05 m), but young players can reduce the height, and experienced amateurs can increase the height accordingly.

A proper netball match should comply with three-second footwork guidelines.

When girls or women score a goal, their team gets one point meaning every goal in netball has a single point. Boy's teams follow these same rules in New Zealand, Fiji, and Australia.

When the netball game was played, every team had seven players with three substitutes. But this is one such game where the number of players can go up to 12. Seven positions are filled by players and the rest by substitutes when it starts.

Rules Of Netball

Discover some of the rules of the netball game as mentioned below.

When in possession of netball, women or girls cannot take over 1.5 steps.

Amateurs have different spots that they can use to score goals.

Every ball must go through the ringed hoop for a goal to happen.

Different passes occur in netball, and every player has to move around the court while passing the ball.

Netball must move from goal attack players and goal shooters. A goal attack player will shoot from inside the semi-circle.

Stepping the ball is not allowed in netball in New Zealand, England, New Orleans, and Jamaica.

No player should contact another player and must not bounce on others.

When defending, each one should be in a 3 ft (0.9 m) position away from the other.

A goalkeeper is allowed in the shooting circle and the defensive goal third.

Wing attack is not allowed in the shooting circle but permitted in the center third and attacking positions.

Sweat transfer is a term used here and happens when you rotate the squad. It is important to avoid putting a sweaty bib over the head and neckline.

Super League and England participants are considered the best netballers globally.

No one can pass over a third or shoot from outside the semi-circle in netball.

The pole in netball court should not be used as support when defending or shooting.

Did you know a national governing body called Netball Australia promotes this sport at an international level?