Taken during the Netball Super League game between London Pulse and Surrey Storm at the Copper Box Arena, Manchester, England on 4th March 2023.
Following an extensive consultation period before Christmas, World Netball have announced the new and changing rules for our sport.
Fans will be able to see these rules in action at the Vitality Netball Nations Cup then the Netball Super League, which starts with the Season Opener on Saturday 17 February 2024, will be the first league to implement them.
Domestic roll-out will occur for all other netball from 1 September 2024 which means that all recognised and authorised netball must continue to be played to the 2020 Rules of Netball until this time.
Key Updates
New look Rules book to make it clearer to interpret and apply the Rules. All infringements now have the sanction and terminology listed
Updates to the Contact and Game Management Rules designed to protect player safety
Scoring a Goal – when a shot is being taken and the ball is in flight, if the whistle is blown to end the period of play, the goal will stand if successful
Introduction of a Tactical Change – these can only happen after a goal is scored and removes the need for a player to feign injury to be substituted. Players can also switch positions with another on court player without the need to be substituted
The Toss Up has been removed – where simultaneous infringements occur the team with the ball will retain possession or if the ball is loose, the team who last had possession will retain it
Additional changes have been implemented to speed up the game
Changes to speed up the game
Players may go Offside to collect the ball to speed up a sanction being taken but this cannot be used to gain a tactical advantage
Players are no longer required to wait for other players to be on court to take a throw-in
Players from both teams can reposition in the court surround in an attempt to gain a better position
Other notable changes
Blood – Players who have dry blood on their uniform but who are not bleeding are no longer required to be substituted
Centre Pass – any on court player can request the centre pass is checked for validity
Additional tidy ups and simplifications to the Playing the ball, Advantage, Short Pass and Throw In rules
Other things to look out for
You will no longer hear an umpire saying ‘Advantage Goal’ on infringements that occur just before a goal is scored. The umpire will now say ‘Advantage,’ the sanction, and the player position infringing. ‘Advantage Contact GK’ or ‘Advantage Obstruction GD.’
If the umpires blow the whistle at the same time to penalise opposing teams for infringements, the infringement with the more significant sanction or action will stand according to the following order. Foul play, Major Infringement, Minor infringements, or an infringement resulting in an action being taken.
If you have any questions about the Rules update, please send them in to the England Netball Officiating team using this form.
All eight matches will be available for UK viewers to watch on Sky Sports’ platforms, including their YouTube channel. You can also listen to all of the Vitality Roses matches on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
NetballPass can be purchased for all games – live and on demand for £14.95. Please note this is not available in the UK, Australia and New Zealand as domestic broadcast deals are in place.
In Australia, every game of the Vitality Netball Nations Cup will be broadcast live and ad-break free during play on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
