SUMMER SEASON MULTISPORT [TUES] Rules

MULTISPORT RULES

Multisport is a league which requires teams to play in their same team each week, but every week each team is required to compete in different sports, as selected by the League Manager. Below is a summary of each sports rules, and team requirements. This league is a mixed 5-aside league, with most sports requiring 5 players on the court, or field at any one time. All games will run for around 40 minutes.

DURATION OF THE GAME: All matches will be two 18 min halves, with a few minutes break in between. No clock stoppages will be made except under exceptional circumstances. Such circumstance will be at the sole discretion of the UR Staff.

THE COURT & FIELDS The game shall be played on the available courts at our Multisport venue. Any particulars about the court or field will be detailed in the particular sports rule breakdown.   

THE TEAM The number of players required on the court, for this league is five (5).

  1. Only five (5) players allowed on the field at any one time.
  2. There must be a minimum of two (2) Males, and Females on the field always.
  3. This league requires your team to have a minimum of four (4) players, including one Male or Female to start the game
  4. Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy

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. The winning team receives 3 points, 1 point each for drawn game and no points for a loss. Your Fun Points will affect your position on the standings. If two teams are matched on competition points, the team with the higher fun points rating will be favoured up the ladder.

FAIRPLAY SYSTEM Each league night you will have an Event Host onsite, but these guys are not official referees. Urban Rec is a recreational league which practices a fair-play and fun-first policy, meaning you should be making your own calls on the game. The Event Host 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 Event Host has the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.

SPORTSMANSHIP All Urban Rec participants have read and agreed to the Urban Rec Code of Conduct. We also exercise a strict Disciplinary Policy. If you are seen to be rude in any way or not playing within the respect of the rules and Code of Conduct, you will be asked by the Urban Rec Staff to sub out of the game. If after returning to the game your attitude does not improve you will be asked to leave the venue, and an assessment will be made if you can play again. We do not tolerate idiots. Play fair.


HOCKEY RULES

THE OBJECT OF THE GAME: The aim in a game of hockey is for the players to get the ball into their attacking circle, and push into the goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins

THE FIELD: The field is considered to be the whole area of the pitch including the area behind the goals. Rebounds from all surfaces are aloud including the walls and the fence. The height and width for the goals shall be 3 feet and 4 feet.

THE TEAM The number of players required on the court, for this league is five (5). There is no goalie in this league, you should play two offensive, two defensives, and a modified sweeper

STARTING PLAY: Games start with a scissors paper rock. The team who wins, chooses their direction, and also starts with possession of the ball at the beginning of the half. At the beginning of the second half, the other team start with the ball. After a goal has been scored, the defending team start the play from the middle of the field.

SCORING: Players can only shoot goals from within the box, before they can shoot. A goal is scored when the ball passes completely across the plane of the goal line. Goals will not count if a stick blade is above the waist level, if it is “hit”, “kicked” or the hand bats the ball.

PLAYING THE BALL: The ball must only be “pushed” or “passed” to your team mates. Due to the size of the field, hits, scoops, flicks, and slap shots are unnecessary and will result in a penalty. You are allowed to make long, and hard passes, but the ball should not go above knee height.

OUT BALLS: Balls going out of bounds are brought in from the corner by the defensive team, regardless of which team touched the ball last. Any ball going out of bounds that strikes a wall or other object and comes back into bounds is considered to be in play. When a team takes possession of the ball after it goes out-of-bounds, the opposing team must give that player 5 feet and 3 seconds to play the ball. 

OBSTRUCTION: Players must not use their body to defend the ball when stationary, they may only use their body while the ball, and player are in motion, otherwise a penalty will be called, and the possession will be awarded to the other team.

HIGH STICKING: Any ball contacted by a stick above the height of the waist (of the player who is doing the high-sticking) is considered to be high-sticking, and the opposing team will receive possession. Needless to say, any goal scored in this manner will not coun

FOULS: The stick must not Fouls are when a player uses the body or the stick in any manner to strike, attempt to strike, trip, attempt to trip, push, hold, charge, obstruct, including third-party, or cause dangerous play. Penalty will be change of possession.


BASKETBALL RULES

THE OBJECT OF THE GAME is to outscore your opponent by shooting the ball into your basket and preventing them from putting the ball into theirs. The ball can be advanced up the floor with the hands only, either by dribbling or passing to teammates. Below is a summary of how “streetball” differs to “basketball” in not only the rules themselves, but the atmosphere in which the game is to be played – that is, with FUN FIRST attitude!

SUBSTITUTIONS can be made at any time. Players coming onto the field must wait until the player they are substituting with has come off the field.

STARTING PLAY Each team will “shoot to start” to see who will start off with the first possession of the game. One team will nominate one player to shoot from the free throw line. If that player misses, the other team will have a shot from the free throw line. The first team to make the basket will start with the ball. The ball is “checked” to the team with first possession of the game at the top of the 3-point arc, and the game begins.

HOW TO SCORE Each 2-point basket will be worth 1 point, and each 3-point basket will be worth 2 points, as per traditional streetball scoring

CHECK PHASE This “check” phase is performed by one team passing the ball to another team at the top of the 3-point line. The team passing the ball to the offensive team, in this situation, may do so once they have “set up” their defence (traditionally, the defensive tactics in streetball is simply a “man-on-man” tactic, rather than a “zone” defence). Once the ball has made contact with the offensive player’s hand, that phase of play will start. The check phase occurs:

  • On every made basketball, with the team who scored retaining possession of the ball for the next phase of play
  • On an out-of-bounds situation, with the team that will be in possession of the ball retaining possession of the ball for the next phase of play
  • On every non-shooting foul, the team that was fouled with the ball will be in possession of the ball for the next phase of play.

FOULS Basketball fouls are penalties assessed for rough play to keep a player from gaining an advantage over another player. A player who is fouled is awarded the ball out of bounds unless the foul occurred during the act of shooting, in which case the player who is fouled is awarded 2 free throws. Here are a simple list of fouls. No personal fouls will be recorded, but team fouls may be awarded.

  • Blocking – A personal foul caused when the defender makes illegal personal contact with an opponent who may or may not have the ball. Blocking is called when the defender impedes the progress of the opponent.
  • Charging (or Player Control Foul) – A personal foul occurring when an offensive player makes contact with a defender who has already established a set position. A player with the ball must avoid contact with a stationary defender by stopping or changing direction.
  • Elbowing – It is a violation for a player to swing the elbows excessively.
  • Flagrant Foul – A personal or technical foul, which is violent in nature. Examples are fighting, striking, kicking, or kneeing an opponent.
  • Hand Check – A personal foul caused by a defender making repeated contact with her hands on her opponent.
  • Holding – A personal foul caused by illegal contact with an opponent, which interferes with his freedom of movement.
  • Blocking Females – As per mixed basketball rules, guys are not allowed to block a girl’s shot on any part of the court. If a girl’s shot is blocked, the basketball will be counted from wherever the ball was shot from (1 point counted for a 2-point attempt, 2 points counted for a 3-point attempt). The player will also receive 1 additional free throw.

VIOLATIONS The basketball basic rules include numerous ball handling and time violations that cause a team to lose possession of the ball. Here are some common violations. In Streetball, minor travels and “carries” will largely be played on, as some “trick moves” performed by players may involve “bending” the traditional rules of basketball.

  • Back-court Violation – If a player is the last one on her team to touch the ball before it goes into the back-court, she cannot be the first player to touch it in the back-court.
  • Closely Guarded (or Five-second Violation) – Violation that occurs when a ball handler in his team's front-court is continuously guarded by any opponent who is within 6 feet of him while he is either dribbling or holding the ball. The offensive player has 5 seconds to either get rid of the ball or drive past the defender.
  • Double Dribble - When a dribbler touches the ball with both hands at the same time or when the dribbler picks up the ball and then starts dribbling again.
  • Goal-tending – Occurs when a player touches a shot ball while it is in its downward flight above the rim. It also occurs when a defender touches a free throw attempt outside the basket.
  • Lane Violation – A violation called during a free throw situation against a player who enters the lane too soon.
  • Ten Seconds in the Back-court – A team has 10 seconds to advance the ball from their back-court past the half-court line to the front-court.
  • Three Seconds in the Lane – An offensive player cannot remain in the free throw lane for longer than 3 seconds while her team is in control of the ball in the front-court. She has to clear the lane completely with both feet to stop the official's count. If she receives the ball while she is in the lane, she is allowed to stay beyond 3 seconds in order to drive toward the goal for a shot.

Traveling – A violation caused by moving the feet in any direction without properly dribbling the ball. It results in a turnover, and the ball is given to the opposing team. While holding the ball, a player has to establish a pivot foot which has to remain on the floor at all times until he passes, shoots, or dribbles. While holding the ball, his knee cannot touch the floor and if he falls, he must get rid of the ball before attempting to get up.


DODGEBALL RULES

THE OBJECT OF THE GAME is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them "OUT". This may be done by:

  • Hitting an opposing player with a LIVE thrown ball
  • Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground.
  • A player is eliminated if they drop a ball while attempting to make a catch or a ball is knocked out of their hand by an attacking ball.

SUBSTITUTIONS Players should wait until in between games to substitute. Players who are not in the starting 6 should sit away from the court, and out of play, (unless acting as a sweeper).

THE OPENING RUSH The game begins by placing the dodgeballs evenly along the centre line. Players then take a position behind their end line. Following a signal by the Staff (blowing the whistle or yelling “DODGEBALL!”), teams may approach the centreline to retrieve the balls. This signal officially starts the contest. Teams can retrieve as many balls as possible. Once a ball is retrieved it must be taken behind the attack-line by the person who collected it, before it can be legally thrown.

SQUEEZING/TUGGING BALLS Players are NOT allowed to kick or squeeze the balls so that they impact the shape of the balls. If you tug a ball in the opening rush, with another player both players are required to drop the ball, and let it land where it’s dropped. 

TIMING AND WINNING A GAME The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. If neither team has been eliminated after a decent period, the team with the greater number of players remaining will be declared the winner. If there are even team mates on the field, Golden Point rule will be established. The Staff will allow time for games to finish, which may result in the halves being affected.

BOUNDARIES During play, all players must remain within the boundary lines. Players may leave the boundaries through their end-line only to retrieve stray balls. They must also return through their end-line.

LIVE AND DEAD BALLS

  • Live Ball: A ball that has been thrown and has not touched anything, including the floor/ground, another ball, another player, official or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc)
  • Dead ball: A thrown ball becomes dead if it touches another ball, the floor, walls or any other object (including a person, or another player)

DEAD ZONE is the middle area between the centre line, and attack line. You may enter the dead zone, after the opening rush, but not to cross the centre line after the opening rush is finished. If you cross the centre line, you are out.

GOLDEN POINT If a game goes on continually for a long period of time and there is an even number of players, there begins a Golden Point game. The original six players are welcomed back on the court for a new game, the first person that makes a hit, wins that game for their team.

MAKING A CATCH If you catch a ball of the opposing team’s throw, you win another one of your players to enter the field. Players that are eliminated are able to return as a result of a caught ball. Players must return in the order in which they were eliminated – first off is first back on. Sometimes you need to make the other player aware you caught their ball, as it may not always be obvious to them.

DEFLECTING A BALL you can use the Dodgeball in your hand/s, as a mechanism to deflect or divert a ball without touching your body. This must be a clear direction divert, if the ball still fumbles its way onto make contact with your body, you did not successfully deflect the ball. (Failed deflection). If in the act of deflecting a ball, the ball you were using to shield drops out of your hands, that is also a failed deflection, and you are out.

HEAD SHOTS If a player is hit in the head by a Dodgeball, intentionally, or unintentionally, that player is safe. If the player is intentionally moving their head into the ball, the hit is counted, and the player is out.

KAMIKAZE this technique is used for high risk execution. A player may jump over the middle line, and into the oppositions side, while in the air, the ball they throw must land on another player, before the executor lands on the ground. In doing this technique the player forfeits their position on the court and must immediately go off. If Urban Rec staff do not see the technique performed successfully, and with sureness, the technique will not be called.

DODGING OUT OF PLAY If you are dodging a ball, and a consequence you step out of the court boundaries, then you are out.

HOT BALL To reduce stalling, a violation will be called if as player hold a ball for more than 10 seconds. The staff will count you down after yelling “Hot Ball” If you still have not thrown the ball after the 10 seconds, you will be sent off.

THE SWEEPER (applicable to large uncaged courts only)

  • There is 1 sweeper permitted at all times to help retrieve the balls from the outside of the court.
  • When the sweeper is not retrieving balls, they must back against the wall
  • Sweeper is to retrieve the balls, and return to original position, not stand in any other area of the court
  • If a player is out, they may take on the role of the sweeper, any other additional players who are out can help retrieve the balls from the outside of the court, without crossing half way, but they then must immediately return to their position in the “out box”
  • Balls are to be fed back into the game immediately, no balls may be kept out of play
  • Balls are to be rolled into the court, not hand fed into the players
  • Sweeper is not allowed to travel past half way of their own side of the court
  • If no sweeper is available, players may exit the court from the rear to retrieve their balls, must not cross the halfway lines, and must re-enter the court from the rear.
  • Only players in the game may touch and interfere with the balls. This means if you were not in the starting 6, or a sweeper, you are only a spectator, you cannot touch the balls.

STREET SOCCER RULES

OBJECT OF THE GAME The objective of soccer is to score goals by advancing the ball down field into the opposing team’s goal. You simply want to score more goals than your opponent. Traditionally goals are scored when a team moves the ball down field through passing and shooting of the ball.

THE FIELD The field is the whole area of the pitch including the area behind the goals. Rebounds from all surfaces are aloud including the walls and the fence. the height and width for the goals shall be 3 feet by 4 feet. The ball used is a size 4, futsal ball.

SUBSTITUTIONS Unlimited substitution of players is permitted.  Substitutions may be made ‘on the fly’ without a stoppage in play, with the exception of the goal-keeper.  Substitutions of the goal-keeper MUST be made at a stoppage of play at the indication of the Event Host.

THE START OF PLAY A game is started by a kick-off in a forward direction from the centre mark. The team winning the toss of a coin shall have the option of choosing ends or taking the kick-off. All players must be in their own half before the kick-off can be taken. The opposition must be 4 meters from the ball when the kick-off begins.  As all free kicks in our league are indirect (see below), the kick-off is also an INDIRECT KICK, meaning you cannot score directly off a kick-off without the ball first touching another player.  Following half-time, the game is restarted at the centre mark with teams changing ends and the kick-off being taken by the side that did not start the game

STARTING AFTER HALF TIME Following half-time, the game is restarted at the centre mark with teams changing ends and the kick-off being taken by the side that did not start the game.

METHOD OF SCORING A goal is scored when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line between the goal posts and the cross bar. After a goal is scored, the game is restarted with a  rollout from the goal-keeper of the team that was just scored upon. 

OFF SIDE RULE The off-side rule is NOT to be used. However deliberately placing a player or players in an off-side position is contrary to the spirit of the game and is discouraged.

BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY In street soccer, everything is in-bounds, unless the ball physically moves outside the area of the pitch (e.g. it is kicked over the top fence or goes into the back netting.  The Event Host will have final discretion as to whether the ball is playable or not.  In the unlikely event that the ball does exit the field of play, the ball will be given to the team’s goalie, who did not last touch the ball.

FOULS AND MISCONDUCT: A player may not intentionally kick, trip, jump at, strike, hold, and push, charge from behind or violently charge an opponent. Players should not swear, gesture, or argue with the Event Host or any player. Fouls can be awarded against the player for this behaviour.

  • Players should exercise caution when the ball is in play next to a fence, wall or netting area.
  • Any offence that compromises the safety of another player will result in a free kick to the opposing team, or may warrant further sanctioning depending on the severity of the offence

NO SLIDE TACKLING Slide tackles will result in an indirect free kick for the team.

FREE KICKS – ALL FREE KICKS ARE INDIRECT For the purposes of our recreational league, all free kicks are indirect.  An ‘indirect’ free kick is one where a goal cannot be scored unless another player other than the kicker has touched it.  Players from the opposing team should be at least 4 meters from the ball when a free kick is taken.  The free kick is to be taken from the spot where the free kick was awarded.  Free kicks may be awarded for behaviour including, but not limited to the following:

  • Dangerous manner of play 
  • Impeding the progress of an opposition player 
  • Prevents the goal keeper from releasing the ball
  • Causes unnecessary delays in play
  • Kicking or attempting to kick an opponent
  • Tripping or attempting to trip an opponent
  • Jumping at an opponent
  • Charging an opponent
  • Striking or attempting to strike an opponent
  • Pushing or holding an opponent
  • Making contact with an opponent before the ball whilst making a tackle to gain possession of the ball
  • Handling the ball
  • If any of these offenses occur within the goal area, the free kick shall be taken from the penalty line and all players other than the goal keeper must stand outside the goal area whilst the kick is taken.

THE GOALKEEPERS AREA

  • The goal area is the semi-circle in front of the goal posts
  • The goalkeeper must remain within the area always
  • If the goalkeeper comes outside the area and interferes with play it will result in an indirect free kick to the opposition team (to be taken from 2 metres outside the area)
  • A team is only permitted to swap the goalkeeper once per half
  • Only the goalkeeper may touch the ball with their arms or hands, and only within the goal area.
  • It is recommended that the goalkeeper shall wear colours that distinguish him from other players and officials.

“GOAL KICKS” (GOAL ROLLS) “Goal kicks” will be in the form of rollout from the goal-keeper.  This goal rollout may be taken from anywhere in the goal area.  Goal rolls are awarded when the whole of the ball has crossed the goal line (except for the scoring of a goal) and last touched by one of the attacking team.  Opponents must be clear of the goal area.  Goal rolls must be a roll (i.e. not an overhand throw) and must be on the ground.

BACK PASSES In the event of a back pass to the goal keeper, the goal keeper MUST NOT pick up the ball (i.e. it can only be played by the feet)

CORNER KICKS There are no corner kicks in street soccer, as everything is inbounds.


VOLLEYBALL RULES

THE START OF PLAY Prior to the start of the match the referee will call the two captains aside for the toss, which is done through 'Paper, Scissors, Rock!' The winner of the toss has the right to serve/receive or have choice of end. At the start of the 2nd set the team captain who lost the first set toss will have the right to choose. For an eventual 3rd set, the two team captains do the toss again.

THE NUMBER OF HITS TO HIT THE BALL OVER THE NET Each team is entitled to a maximum of three hits to return the ball over the net. The ball may be hit with any part of the body, including the feet. A player may not contact the ball twice consecutively, unless the ball is deemed hard-driven by the umpire - i.e. in a block situation. The consecutive touches in a block count as two hits, leaving the team with one hit to get the ball back over the net. A hard-driven ball constitutes a clean hit; it may not visibly come to rest on contact, or be held, including being lifted, carried or thrown. 

SIMULTANEOUS CONTACT The ball may touch two or more parts of the body only if contact occurs simultaneously or in one motion. When two teammates contact the ball simultaneously, it is counted as two of their three permitted hits. When two opponents simultaneously touch the ball above the net and it is held, the rally will continue.

BALL AT THE NET When the ball is sent into the opponent's court it must pass over the net and between the antennas attached to the net. While crossing the net, the ball may touch the net between the antennas but may not touch the posts or ropes. A ball hit into the net may be retrieved and played over the net within the team's limit of three hits.

PLAYER AT THE NET No part of a player's body or clothing may touch the net, but may touch the net ropes outside of the antennas and the posts. A player may enter under the net into their opponents court provided they do not interfere with their opponent's range of motion.

SERVICE The serving player must wait for the referee's whistle before serving the ball and must serve the ball within 5 seconds after the referee's whistle.

  • The ball must be hit cleanly with one hand or any part of the arm after being tossed or released and before it touches the ground.
  • The player will only have one attempt at a successful serve.
  • The ball must pass over the net and between the antennas.
  • The ball may contact the net, but not the posts or antennas. 
  • The serve may be hit from anywhere along the baseline and from within the sidelines.
  • Once a player commences the service action, they may not touch any boundary lines or the court surface until the ball has been hit. 
  • All players on both teams must be within the court area when the serve is hit.

HAND-SETTING RULE Hand-setting is the skill where the fingertips are used to play the ball from above your face with the intention of directing the ball to a position above the net for your team-mate to attack or spike down into your opponent's court. The setting rule in Beach Volleyball is one of the most contentious. At SBVBL our general philosophy regarding setting is that as you progress through to higher divisions, the strictness of how the referees will judge the quality of setting will also be raised. With this in mind, the emphasis of our leagues is to promote a fun and enjoyable environment (i.e. in a lower division - the referee can use their discretion in relation to this rule to help promote longer rallies)

SIDE-SETTING RULE This rule is applicable to the 2-a-side competition only.
In all other competitions side setting is permissible (subject to the referee's discretion). 
Side-setting is when the ball travels across the net without being in line with the setter's shoulders. If there is any discrepancy with either the ball being carried by wind or any other circumstance then the ruling will be totally at the referee's discretion.

ATTACK HIT is the action to direct the ball down into the opponent's court. The attack hit must be completed within the player's own court space. A player is not allowed to make an attack hit on an opponent's serve.

BLOCKING is the action of a player to prevent an opponent's attack hit from crossing the net. A player is not permitted to block the serve. A blocking player may touch the ball over the net in the opponent's court once the opponent's attack hit is completed. The first hit after a block may be executed by any player including the blocker - leaving one remaining team hit.


BENCHBALL RULES

THE OBJECT OF THE GAME is to pass the ball between your teammates till you are in the strike zone for you to throw the ball in the air to your teammate on the bench; if the teammate is able to catch the ball while remaining on the bench, then the catcher gets one shot at throwing the ball into the ring. If it goes in then the thrower replaces the teammate on the bench otherwise it is a turnover. Teams play as long as they can within the time period allotted.

THE START OF PLAY

  • Teams begin the game with 5 players on the court with one player standing on a bench located at the back of the opponent’s court.
  • One player from each team starts by standing on the bench in their opponent’s end. The player must remain on the bench until they are able to shoot the ball into the hoop. 
  • A whistle is blown to start the game. The five court players pass the ball to each other, bounded by netball rules, until they reach the strike zone which is the opponent's half of the court. Then they may throw the ball to their catcher on the bench. 

MAKING A CATCH/SCORING

  • A clean catch is one that is caught without the ball or the player touching the ground. The ball may touch the floor during a pass attempt but a player cannot touch the ground in an attempt to catch the ball. You may catch a ball from a deflection (as long as it is not deflected off the wall). You can catch a ball if it bounces on the bench.
  • Once a clean catch is made, the catcher must shoot the ball in the hoop. Only one attempt is allowed. A miss will be a turnover. 
  • If the ball is NOT caught cleanly, the ball must be dropped to the floor in front of the bench so the opposing team can pick it up.
  • If the shot is a success, this is worth one point. The thrower will then replace the catcher on the bench. 
  • Substitutions can be made for anyone except the person on the bench. 

STEPPING/TRAVELLING 

  • The first foot that lands on the ground is your pivot foot.
  • If both feet touch the ground at the same time, any foot may be chosen as your pivot foot. Only one foot can act as your pivot foot until you pass the ball. 
  • If stepping or travelling is called, the opponent gains possession. 

DEFENDING

  • Players may play defence in attempt to intercept or deflect balls from being caught; however, players may not make physical contact at any time with any opposing player who is standing on the bench.  If this occurs, a free shot is given to the player on the bench. 
  • A defender may NOT try to slap the ball out of the hands of an opposing player who is standing on the bench; if the person on the bench makes initial contact with the ball, the defender may not interfere with that person’s attempt to catch the ball.
  • A defender may not stand on the bench or hop over it.

BENCH

  • Only one person on the bench at one time
  • A new player may be designated for the bench at the start of each half. 
  • At some venues in place of a bench players will be restricted into allocated areas on the ground instead of a bench

END OF GAME:  The team with the most points after both halves will win the game. 


FAST5 NETBALL RULES

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, but off sides and court areas, are the same
  • 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.

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