Umpire's Guide to Netball Australia Rules of Netball 2024 Edition

• Each umpire controls and gives decisions for one half of the court (including the goal line), divided across the centre from side line to side line. The umpires toss for goal end after the captains notify them of their toss result. The umpire winning the toss controls the side line nearer the official bench, and each umpire controls the same half throughout the match.
• Each umpire makes all decisions for the throw-in on one side line.
• Umpires move along the side line and behind the goal line, and ideally keep off the court during play.
• If the ball strikes an umpire, or an umpire interferes with players' movement, play continues unless a team is unfairly disadvantaged, in which case possession goes to that team where the ball was when play stopped.
• The whistle starts and ends each period, restarts play after a goal, and indicates when an infringement is penalised. It is only needed for out of court when this is not clear.
• When penalising, the umpire blows the whistle, states the infringement using the correct terminology, uses the hand signal and indicates where the sanction or action is taken.
• Reserve umpire (not always appointed at lower levels): replaces an injured or ill umpire, sits at the umpires' bench, supervises suspended and ordered-off players, and signals the centre pass direction with a hand.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rules 4 and 21.

• Free pass: awarded for minor infringements, taken where the infringement occurred. A player taking a free pass may not shoot for goal.
• Penalty pass: awarded for major infringements, taken where the infringer was standing, unless that places the non-infringing team at a disadvantage, in which case it is taken where the infringed player was standing. The infringer must stand out of play beside but away from the passer, and not move or take any part (including verbal comments) until the ball is released. A Goal Shooter or Goal Attack taking a penalty pass in the goal circle may pass or shoot.
• Throw-in: awarded when the ball goes out of court, taken where it went out.
• Possession: an action awarded after simultaneous or mutual infringements, taken where the ball was when play stopped.

If an opposing player obstructs or contacts the player taking a penalty pass before the ball is released, the penalty pass is taken where that second infringer was standing and all infringers stand out of play. If the original infringer takes part before the ball is released, a further penalty pass is awarded, which may be advanced.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rule 6.

Sanctions in the 2024 Rules of Netball (all are free passes unless noted):

• Held ball: a player in possession must pass or shoot within three seconds.
• Footwork: after a one-foot or two-foot landing, the player may step or pivot but must pass or shoot before regrounding the lifted foot. A player in possession may not drag or slide the landing foot, hop on either foot, jump from both feet and land on both feet, or fall to the ground and reground the landing foot.
• Repossession: after releasing the ball, a player may not touch it again before it touches another player or rebounds from the goalpost.
• Playing the ball on the ground: a player may not fall on the ball, or gain possession while lying, sitting or kneeling.
• Short pass: there must be enough space for an opponent to deflect or intercept the ball between passer and receiver. Free pass where the receiver caught or touched it.
• Over a third: the ball must be caught or touched by a player in each third of the court. Free pass at the transverse line where the ball entered the third incorrectly.
• Offside: entering a court area not designated for that player's position. Free pass where the player entered. A player is not offside if a body part is on, but not over, the line.
• Out of court: a throw-in to the other team, in line with where the ball went out.
• Obstruction and contact: penalty pass (see the questions on those rules).

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rules 11 to 17.

An opposing player may attempt to deflect or intercept the ball, or defend a player in possession, provided there is a distance of not less than 0.9 m (3 ft) on the ground from the nearest part of the landing foot of the player with the ball to the nearest part of the opposing player's nearer foot in contact with the ground.

• One-foot landing: if the player stays in the landing position, measure from the landing foot. If the player lifts the landing foot, measure from where it was grounded.
• Two-foot landing: if neither foot moves, measure from the foot closer to the opponent. If one foot moves, measure from the foot that remains grounded.
• Pivoting: if the player pivots on the landing foot, the defender must adjust so their nearer foot stays at least 0.9 m from where the landing foot is now grounded.
• Jumping defenders: a defender who is the correct distance away may jump upwards or towards the player and land within 0.9 m, provided this does not interfere with the passing or shooting action.
• Inside 0.9 m: a defender may be within 0.9 m only if there is no interference with the passing or shooting action, and may make no effort to deflect, intercept or defend the player with the ball.
• Without the ball: a player within 0.9 m of an opponent may stretch out arms to catch, deflect or intercept a pass or fake pass, or to play a rebound from a shot, but may not use arm movements away from the body to prevent an opponent moving.

The sanction is a penalty pass where the infringer was standing (or where the obstructed player was standing if that avoids disadvantaging the non-infringing team).

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rule 16.

A player must not make physical contact with an opponent that unfairly interferes with the opponent's play, whether accidental or deliberate. Examples include pushing, tripping, grabbing, holding or leaning on an opponent, knocking or hitting an opponent (including when shooting), and hitting or placing hands on a ball held by an opponent.

To be penalised, the contact must result in one of:

• loss of the ball by an opponent in possession;
• interference with the passing or shooting action of an opponent in possession; or
• a change in an opponent's body position, in possession or not, that prevents them moving freely and puts them at an unfair disadvantage.

Incidental contact that does not cause this interference is a fair contest and should not be penalised.

Related contact rules:

• Landing: a player who has jumped from an on-court position must be permitted to land in the same place or any other place on court. Opponents must not move into the landing place.
• Moving players: a player must not take up a position so near to or so quickly in the path of a moving opponent that the opponent cannot stop or change direction.
• Inevitable contact: a player must not position so closely that the opponent cannot move at all without contacting.

The sanction is a penalty pass where the infringer was standing (or where the contacted player was standing if that avoids disadvantaging the non-infringing team). Contact that endangers safety, such as head or neck contact, normally also brings a dangerous play game management action.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rule 17.

A team should not be disadvantaged when an opponent infringes. If blowing the whistle would disadvantage the non-infringing team, the umpire refrains from whistling and lets play continue.

• When to apply: the non-infringing team has a clear and real opportunity to play the ball to a territorial advantage (towards their goal end), a tactical advantage (free to play the ball as they wish), or both.
• How to signal: call "advantage", state the infringement and the playing position of the infringer, and use the advantage hand signal (arm sweeps across the body towards the goal end of the team with the advantage).
• When not to apply it: to unfair play, unsporting behaviour or dangerous play; to any incident that would result in an immediate suspension or ordering off; to any head and/or neck contact (including contact with the playing enclosure or goalpost); or where a player is suspected of being seriously injured.
• If the whistle has been blown: the sanction must be awarded, except that if a goal is scored that is to the advantage of the non-infringing team, the umpire awards the goal, calling "advantage" and stating the infringement and position of the infringer.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rule 7.

Under Rule 18, umpires can use these game management actions in addition to the sanction for an infringement, normally working through them in this order unless an offence is serious enough to need a higher action immediately:

1. Proactive advice: specific, succinct feedback to a player for low-level incidents that do not compromise safety, without holding time. If a player needs to be spoken to more than once, it is treated as repeated infringing.
2. Advance and/or escalate a sanction: a sanction may be advanced up to half a third (even into the goal circle) and/or a free pass escalated to a penalty pass, without holding time.
3. Warning: for a player who does not change behaviour. Only one warning can be given to a player in a match. A warning must be given for all unsporting behaviour.
4. Suspension: the player takes no part for two minutes playing time, which starts when play restarts. Only one suspension per player per match. No substitute is allowed and the position is left vacant (unless it is the Centre, in which case another player moves to Centre).
5. Ordering off: the player takes no further part. A substitute may return after four minutes playing time.

To give a warning, suspension or ordering off, the umpire holds time, signals the official bench, uses the specific term and tells the player the behaviour concerned. These decisions are joint and binding on the co-umpire, and must be applied in the same period of play as the infringement.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rule 18.

Rule 19 has three types of foul play:

• Unfair play (delaying play, intentional infringing, repeated infringing, disputed ruling, intimidation): penalty pass which is advanced. Intimidation examples include covering an opponent's eyes, swiping the ball at an opponent's face, stomping the ground and sledging.
• Unsporting behaviour (retaliation, abusive behaviour, actions contrary to good sporting behaviour): penalty pass where the infringement occurred, and the player is given a warning or suspended. In a serious case the umpire orders the player off.
• Dangerous play (any unnecessarily forceful, careless, reckless or dangerous action that could affect another player's safety, including head and/or neck contact): penalty pass where it occurred, and the player is suspended or, in a serious case, ordered off. A player must always be ordered off for intentional or highly reckless dangerous play.

A player may ask the umpire to repeat an infringement or clarify where a sanction is taken, but must not dispute a ruling.

When choosing between suspension and ordering off, umpires consider whether the action was intentional, reckless or avoidable; its impact on player safety; its speed; its force; and whether the player was stationary or moving.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rule 19.

Before the match, both umpires check the players off the court against the rules on what players may wear. Under Rule 3.12 players may not wear anything that could endanger themselves or others:

• No body piercings, including earrings.
• No adornment that may endanger player safety.
• No communication devices.
• Any other adornment worn must be securely covered with tape and/or padding.
• Medical devices may be worn if securely covered with tape and/or padding.
• Player monitoring devices may be worn if secured within the playing uniform.
• Fingernails must be short and smooth.
• Hair must be suitably tied back (for example in a ponytail, plait or braid) and free from any adornment.

If a player fails to meet these requirements at any time during play, they are penalised as a late player.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rules 3.12 and 4.3 to 4.4.

• Play starts each period, and restarts after every goal, with a centre pass taken alternately by the Centre of each team.
• Both umpires should check the correct centre pass with the scorers at the start and end of each period. Either umpire may hold time during play to check it.
• The first centre pass in each period is started by the umpire controlling the goal end of the team taking it. During a period, it is started by the umpire controlling the goal end where the last goal was scored.
• As soon as a goal is signalled, both umpires and the reserve umpire indicate the direction of the next centre pass, and the controlling umpire calls the name of the team to take it. If the umpires disagree or are unsure, they must seek clarification from the scorers.
• If both umpires indicate the wrong direction, the scorers notify them by electronic and/or audible means before the centre pass is taken. If a player appeals before the pass is taken, the umpires check with the scorers.
• For an infringement at a centre pass, the whistle is blown for the centre pass and then blown again to penalise the infringement.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rule 8.

During a match (including intervals and stoppages) team officials and bench players must not criticise the umpires or their decisions, use offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures, make excessive noise, encourage foul play, or enter the court (except in extreme circumstances where player safety is endangered).

• Sanction: a penalty pass to the non-infringing team, taken where the ball was when play stopped or where play was due to restart. No player has to stand out of play.
• Warning: either umpire may penalise this behaviour, and a warning may be given to one person or to all team officials and bench players of that team. A warning is a joint decision of both umpires.
• If they do not respond: the umpire asks the event organiser to remove them from the playing enclosure for the rest of the match. In a serious case the request can be made without a previous warning.
• Leaving the bench: team officials and bench players must stay at the team bench during play (bench players may leave for a valid reason such as warming up). Otherwise it is a free pass to the other team.

Source: Rules of Netball 2024, Rule 18.43 to 18.47.

Netball Australia's accreditation has four levels: National C, B, A and AA.

• C and B Badges also need a practical assessment, where you must be rated competent on all assessable performance criteria.
• Rules exam pass marks are valid for 4 years, and your most recent exam mark is your current result.
• Netball Australia says the AA "should not be seen as a 'natural progression' from the A badge".
• Accreditation is obtained or updated through learning.netball.com.au.
• Netball NSW's accreditation page adds that you do not have to progress through the badges in order, except that an A Badge is required before AA testing. There are no age restrictions, and you can be tested up to twice in a calendar year for the same level.

Sources: https://netball.com.au/umpiring-accreditation and https://nsw.netball.com.au/umpire-accreditation