SPRING SEASON NETBALL [MON] COOKS HILL Rules

5 & 7 ASIDE RULES

TEAM FORMAT

Urban Rec offers both 7-a-side Netball and Fast5 Netball. Please refer to your league information to confirm which format is being played.

7-a-side

Each team fields seven (7) players on court.
Teams must include:

  • Minimum two (2) male player*

  • Minimum two  (2) female player*

  • Maximum three (3) male players on court at any one time.

  • Male players must be spread across different positions of the court. 

  • Remaining players may be any gender, including gender diverse participants.

Teams may play the entire match with a minimum of five (5) players, provided at least one (1) male and one (1) female are on court, without resulting in a default or forfeit.
A maximum of three (3) male players may be on court at any one time and must be spread across different positions, rather than concentrated in the same area. For example, one male player may be in the goal circle, with another on the Wing or Centre, while a third is positioned in defence.

Fast5

Each team fields five (5) players on court.
Teams must include:

  • Minimum one (1) male player*

  • Minimum one (1) female player*

  • Maximum three (3) male players on court at any one time.

  • Male players must be spread across different thirds of the court. No more than one (1) male may play within each third.

  • Remaining players may be any gender, including gender diverse participants.

Teams may play the entire match with a minimum of four (4) players, provided at least one (1) male and one (1) female are on court, without resulting in a default or forfeit.
A maximum of three (3) male players may be on court at any one time and must be spread across different positions, rather than concentrated in the same area. For example, one male player may be in the goal circle, with another on the Wing or Centre, while a third is positioned in defence.
Please refer to the Urban Rec Default, Forfeit & Substitute Policy for player eligibility requirements.
Some Urban Rec leagues are designated as Open competitions and may allow all-female teams. Please refer to your league information for the format being played.

Substitutes

Substitutes are permitted provided they:

  • Have created an Urban Rec account.

  • Have signed the current Urban Rec waiver.

Substitutions may be made during quarter times. 

GAME SPECIFICS

Game Time

Games consist of four (4) x 8-minute quarters with short breaks between quarters.

Court Boundaries

  • A standard netball court is used.

  • Court dimensions may vary depending on the venue.

  • Netball can be played on both indoor and outdoor courts. 

Starting the Game

  • Captains play Scissors, Paper, Rock.

  • The winner chooses the first centre pass. 

  • If applicable, the winner also chooses their team's power round, first.

Scoring

7-a-side

  • Every goal is worth one (1) point.

Fast5

  • Goals scored from inside the goal circle are worth one (1) point.

  • Goals scored from outside the goal circle, within the attacking goal third, are worth three (3) points.

  • During a nominated Power Round, all goals are doubled.

RULE SPECIFICS

Positions

7-a-side

  • Goal Shooter (GS): May use the attacking goal third and goal circle. May shoot for goal.

  • Goal Attack (GA): May use the attacking goal third, centre third and goal circle. May shoot for goal.

  • Wing Attack (WA): May use the attacking goal third and centre third. Cannot enter either goal circle.

  • Centre (C): May use all three thirds except both goal circles.

  • Wing Defence (WD): May use the defensive goal third and centre third. Cannot enter either goal circle.

  • Goal Defence (GD): May use the defensive goal third, centre third and defensive goal circle.

  • Goal Keeper (GK): May use the defensive goal third and defensive goal circle.

Fast5

  • Goal Shooter (GS): May use the attacking goal third, attacking goal circle and centre third. May score 1-point and 3-point goals.

  • Goal Attack (GA): May use all three thirds except the defensive goal circle. May score 1-point and 3-point goals.

  • Centre (C): May use all three thirds except both goal circles.

  • Goal Defence (GD): May use all three thirds except the attacking goal circle.

  • Goal Keeper (GK): May use the defensive goal third, defensive goal circle and centre third.

Centre Pass

Play begins with a centre pass:

  • At the beginning of each quarter.

  • After every goal.

The Centre must begin inside the centre circle.
The first pass must be received in the centre third before play continues.

Shooting

Only designated shooting players may score.

7-a-side

  • GS and GA may score from within the goal circle.

Fast5

  • GS and GA may score 1-point goals from inside the goal circle.

  • GS, GA and C may score 3-point goals from outside the goal circle, within the attacking goal third.

Jump shots and dunking are not permitted.

Playing the Ball

Once a player gains possession they must:

  • Pass or shoot within three (3) seconds.

  • Maintain legal footwork.

  • Not deliberately kick, punch or throw the ball.

  • Not deliberately replay the ball (Reposession).

  • Not use the goal post for support or balance.

Footwork

Players must establish a grounded foot after catching the ball.
The grounded foot may pivot but must not:

  • Be dragged.

  • Hop.

  • Be re-grounded after being lifted before the ball is passed or shot.

Stepping results in a Free Pass to the opposition.

Offside

Each position has designated playing areas.
A player is offside if they enter an area of the court that is outside the permitted playing area for their position, regardless of whether they are involved in play.
Offside results in a Free Pass to the opposition.

Over a Third

The ball must be touched in each third of the court.
A team may not pass directly from one goal third into the opposite goal third without the ball first being touched in the centre third.
An infringement results in a Free Pass where the ball crossed into the second goal third.

Repossession (Formerly Replay)

A player may not regain possession of the ball after having possession and releasing it.
Repossession occurs if a player:

  • Throws or passes the ball and catches it again before it touches another player or the goal ring.

  • Drops the ball after gaining possession and regathers it.

  • Bounces or deliberately plays the ball to themselves before regaining possession.

The ball must first touch:

  • Another player, or

  • The goal ring following a shot.

Sanction: Free Pass to the opposing team.

Contact

Netball is a non-contact sport.
Players may not:

  • Push.

  • Hold.

  • Charge.

  • Trip.

  • Lean on or impede an opponent.

  • Use the ball to make unnecessary contact.

Contact results in a Penalty Pass or Penalty Pass/Shot if awarded within the goal circle.
The penalised player must immediately stand out of play until the ball has been released.

Obstruction

A defending player must remain at least 0.9 metres (3 feet) from the player with the ball when defending with outstretched arms.
A player may stand closer provided their arms remain down and they do not impede the attacking player.
Obstruction results in a Penalty Pass or Penalty Pass/Shot.

Throw Ins

When the ball leaves the court:

  • Possession is awarded to the team that did not last touch the ball.

  • The throw-in is taken from where the ball crossed the sideline.

  • The thrower has three (3) seconds to return the ball to play.

Penalties

Free Pass

A Free Pass is awarded for general infringements, including:

  • Stepping.

  • Offside.

  • Over a Third.

  • Replay or repossession.

  • Delay of play.

The pass is taken where the infringement occurred by any player permitted in that area.

Penalty Pass / Shot

A Penalty Pass or Penalty Pass/Shot is awarded for:

  • Contact.

  • Obstruction.

  • Intimidation.

The penalised player must stand beside and out of play until the ball has left the thrower's hands.
If the infringement occurs against the Goal Shooter or Goal Attack inside the goal circle, they may choose to either pass or shoot.

ADDITIONAL URBAN REC RULES

Centre Pass Variation

  • Traditional Netball alternates the centre pass after every goal.

  • Some Urban Rec leagues use a modified format where the team that concedes the goal takes the next centre pass.

  • League Hosts will advise teams before the game if this variation is being used.

3-Point Shots

Three-point shots are a standard Fast5 rule.
Some Urban Rec 7-a-side leagues may also adopt 3-point shooting to encourage faster, higher-scoring games.
Where used:

  • Goals scored from outside the goal circle, within the attacking goal third, are worth three (3) points.

  • GS, GA and C may score 3-point goals from outside the goal circle, within the attacking goal third.

League Hosts will advise teams before the game if this variation is being used.

Power Rounds

Power Rounds are a standard Fast5 rule.
Some Urban Rec 7-a-side leagues may also adopt a Power Round.
Before the match begins, each captain must nominate one (1) quarter to be their team's Power Round.
During that nominated quarter:

  • Standard goals are doubled.

  • Three-point goals are also doubled.

Each team may choose a different quarter.
League Hosts will confirm each team's nominated Power Round before play begins.

Safe Shooting

  • Power is part of Netball, but player safety comes first.

  • Avoid unnecessarily forceful shots or passes when opponents are in close proximity.

  • Jump shots and dunking are not permitted.

Honest Calls

Urban Rec encourages players to acknowledge obvious:

  • Stepping.

  • Contact.

  • Out of court.

  • Replay or repossession

Self-officiating keeps the game flowing and creates a better experience for everyone.

Social Defence

  • Urban Rec Netball encourages active defence, but unnecessary intimidation is discouraged.

  • Standing directly in front of an opponent for extended periods, face-guarding or defending in an overly aggressive manner is inconsistent with the spirit of Urban Rec, particularly in recreational leagues.

  • Players should defend the ball rather than intimidate the player.

  • Deliberately Playing Off the Ring or Post

  • A player may not deliberately use the goal ring or goal post to regain possession of the ball.

  • Any deliberate attempt to play the ball off the ring or post to themselves or a teammate will be penalised with a Free Pass.

Host Discretion

Not every situation can be covered by the rulebook. League Hosts may intervene where an action is technically legal but clearly unsafe, unfair or against the spirit of the game.

Fun First Policy

All Urban Rec leagues are fun-first, regardless of skill level.
Our League Hosts aim to create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment by:

  • Coaching where needed

  • Making calls appropriate to the level of play

  • Encouraging communication and sportsmanship

Urban Rec expects a degree of self-officiation. Respect, good vibes and camaraderie go a long way.
Discipline

  • League Hosts have final say on all unresolved issues.

  • If a player is acting disrespectfully or outside the spirit of the game, the Host may:

    • Ask the player to sub off and take a break

    • Issue further warnings

    • Ask the player to leave the court if behaviour continues

We’re here for good times, not bad attitudes. Play fair.

Inclusion

Urban Rec is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

  • Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary players are welcome

  • Participants of all sexualities, cultures and backgrounds are supported

Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment.

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