Netball Facts
Netball is a team sport similar to and derived from basketball. It was originally known as "women's basketball" and developed in the United States, and while basically unknown in its homeland, is the pre-eminent women's team sport (both as a spectator and participant sport) in Australia and New Zealand.
Like basketball, the game is played on a hard court with scoring rings at both ends, and with a ball resembling a basketball (but lighter, smaller and slightly softer in construction, and usually white in color).
The hoops, whilst of similar height and dimension to basketball hoops, do not have a "backboard".
There are seven players on each team, who are given nominated, named positions. In competitive netball, each player must wear "bibs" or "patches" showing the abbreviations below, indicating their position.
The field is divided into thirds which regulate where individuals in each team are allowed to move, and two semi-circular "shooting circles" at each end from within which all scoring shots must be taken.
Mens netball teams exist, but are uncommon. Most teams are all woman.
A game is played in four quarters, each one lasting 15 minutes, with intervals of three minutes between the first and second quarters, and between the third and fourth quarters.
Netball rules do not permit players to take more than one step in possession of the ball. Consequently, the only way to move the ball towards the goal is to throw the ball to a team-mate. The ball cannot be held by a player for more than three seconds at any time.
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