Netball is the sport to do!!! it is ideal for keeping fit as een the shortest of games raises the heartrate providing a good cardio workout. the constant marking and dodging improves flexibility and agility which cant be a bad thing. the ideas of the game mean that all players must work together towards a common goal - WINNING!!!! this improves our teamworking abilities. netball is not only a girls sport. in my experiences i have found that when given a chance, our males counterparts enjoy the game just as much if not more than us females. Netball is a sport for all. Just watch out for those keen players who have acrilic nails, far too long to be suitable for the sport!!!!! ouch!
It always seems that us girls are born knowing the rules of netbal. i can however, see how some people would initially struglle to remember all of the rules whilst still trying to enjoy the game.
The netball court is divided into three equal parts and is similar to a football pitch in its layout. in the centre of the middle section is a small circle from which each centre throw is taken.
In each of the end sections is a large semicircle. All shots must be taken from inside these semicircles in order for them to be counted. The aim of the game is to score as many goals as is possible from within this area known as the Goal Circle, Only two players from each team may score goals, the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter. Only the Goal Defence and Goal Keeper's from each team may enter the semi circle other than these shooters.
<<<<Players and Positions>>>>
A netball team can be made up of as many as 12 players but only 7 of these can be on the court at any one time. Each player has a playing position determined by the areas on the court where they may move. The playing positions are shown by letters worn above the waist, on both the front and the back of the player. Those positions are GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD and GK.
If we label each of the thirds as 1, 2, and 3, and each of the semicircles as 4 and 5, (shown below) this will help to explain the areas in which each of the players are allowed to move. You must assume that the team are shooting towards semicircle number 4.
5 1 2 3 4
Goal Attack (GA): 2,3,4
Goal Defence (GD): 5,1,2
Goal Shooter(GS): 3,4
Goal Kepper (GK): 5,1
Centre(C): 1,2,3
Wing Attack(WA): 2,3
Wing Defence (WD): 1,2
<<<Equipment>>>
Ball: The Ball is made of leather, rubber or similar material, weighing 400 - 450 gms and measuring 690 - 710 mms in circumference.
The Court: 30.5 metres (100 feet) long and 15.25 metres (50 feet) wide, which is divided into thirds. There is a center circle with a diameter of 0.9 metres (3 feet) and two goal circles which are semi-circles measuring 4.9 metres (16 feet) in radius.
Posts:are placed mid point of each goal line and measure 3.05 metres (10 feet) in height. The goal rings have an internal diameter of 380mm (15 inches).
<<<Playing Time>>>
Proffessional games consists of 4 x 15 minute quarters with an interval of 3 minutes between the first and second and third and fourth quarters and a 5 minute half time interval. There is up to 2 minutes of time allowed for each injury.
From my experience school games consist of only two halves with a five minute interval at half time. Each half lasts between around 6 and 15 minutes depending on the age of the players and ability of the teams. After half time the teams swap ends.
<<<Rules>>>>
Below is a brief overview of the rules of netball. as in any game rules can be very intricate and difficult to understand unless you are an experienced player.
obstruction, intimidation, contact and discipline are penalized with a penalty pass or penalty pass or shot. In this penalty, the offender must stand out of play until the ball has left the thrower's hands.
held ball, stepping, breaking, offside and over a third, are penalized with a free pass.
If the ball leaves the playing area a throw from the sidelines will be awarded to the other team.
by (4%):
19.08.2005 17:16
i loved net ball at school! the only problem was i was never picked ohhhh poor me! ha! ha!
29.07.2005 15:54
Thanks for that. I must admit I know nothing about netball !! Leeroy ~Onwards and Upwards~
03.06.2005 16:25
I really enjoyed netball at school - I did suck at it though. Lora x