How do I deal with coaches and bench players who misbehave?
Rule- South Africa
- Netball South Africa
- World Netball Rules 2024
- Senior
- 2026
- Umpires
World Netball Rule 18.43-18.47.
Leaving the bench (18.43): during play, team officials and bench players must stay at the team bench. Bench players may leave for a valid reason, such as warming up.
- Sanction: free pass to the other team where the ball was when play stopped ("bench movement"). If the ball was out of court, take it on court in line with where it went out.
Bench behaviour (18.44): at any time in the 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 or interruptions;
- encourage foul play;
- come on court, except in extreme circumstances where player safety is at risk.
Sanction: penalty pass to the other team where the ball was (or where play was due to restart). No player stands out of play.
Escalating:
- Either umpire may also give a warning, to one person or to all of that team's officials and bench players. It counts as a joint decision.
- If they ignore the warning, ask the event organiser to remove them from the playing enclosure for the rest of the match, including contact with the team at intervals and stoppages.
- In a serious case, you may ask for removal without a warning.
Added 22 Oct 2026