What counts as foul play, and what sanction goes with each type?
Rule- South Africa
- Netball South Africa
- World Netball Rules 2024
- Senior
- 2026
- Umpires
World Netball Rule 19 has three types of foul play. Each must be dealt with by the prescribed game management action.
| Type | Includes | Minimum action |
|---|---|---|
| Unfair play (19.1-19.6) | Delaying play, intentional infringing, repeated infringing (by a player or a team), disputing a ruling, intimidation | Penalty pass, advanced |
| Unsporting behaviour (19.7-19.10) | Retaliation, abusive language or gestures towards anyone in the playing enclosure, actions against good sporting behaviour or the image of the game | Penalty pass where it happened, plus a warning or suspension; ordering off in a serious case |
| Dangerous play (19.11) | Any unnecessarily forceful, careless, reckless or dangerous action that could affect another player's safety, especially anything causing head or neck contact (including with the goalpost) | Penalty pass plus suspension, or ordering off in a serious case. Always order off for intentional or highly reckless dangerous play |
Intimidation examples: covering an opponent's eyes, swiping the ball at their face, sudden loud noises, stomping, erratic arm waving and sledging.
Disputing: a player may ask you to repeat a call they didn't hear, or ask where a sanction is to be taken. That isn't disputing.
Suspension or ordering off? Consider whether the action was intentional, reckless or avoidable; its impact on safety; its speed; on the ground or in the air; the force; and whether the player was stationary or moving.
Added 22 Oct 2026