NETBALL COURT GUIDE

A dynamic and fast paced sport that is popular across the world, netball has a standardised court with set dimensions and markings that ensure consistency and fairplay. 

In this guide, we will look at the dimensions, zones, and line markings on a netball court and explain how they relate to the rules and influence the game. By the end of this guide you will have a comprehensive overview and understanding of a regulation netball court.

In the UK, the regulation netball court size is 30.50m long and 15.25m wide. In feet, the dimensions of a netball court are 100.07ft x 50.03ft. These netball court measurements are set out by the International Netball Federation, the games worldwide governing body. 

This means the perimeter of a regulation netball court is 91.5m (300.20ft).

The two longer lines running the length of a netball court are called the “side lines” and the two shorter lines marking the width of the court are called the “goal lines”.  

Regardless of the standard of play or the age group playing, England Netball guidelines remain the same as the International Netball Federation, with a regulation netball court size being 30.50m x 15.25m or 100.07ft x 50.03ft. This gives a surface area of 465.13m² or 5,006.62ft².

Where their guidelines do differ though is when it comes to the overall floor area required for a netball court, as their regulations can vary depending on the level of play, and whether a court is located indoors or outdoors.

For example, indoor courts designed for top-level games must have an overall floor area of 36.60m x 23.35m or 120.08ft x 76.61ft - including run-off areas; whereas indoor community courts have a “preferred” total floor space of 34.50m x 18.25m or 113.19ft x 59.88ft. Indoor netball courts should have a ceiling-height of at least 7.5m (24.61ft).

The larger space outside of the netball court for top-level games allows for the higher pace the game is played at, giving players more room outside of the court lines. The extra space also provides room for team benches which are used in international games but not needed for community courts.

A netball court is rectangular and the perimeter is marked out by the side lines and goal lines. There are two additional “transverse lines” that run parallel to the goal lines and divide the court into thirds of equal size. 

The middle third of the court is known as the “centre third” and the two thirds located at the ends of the court are called the “goal thirds”. Each third is 10.17m long and 15.25m wide (33.37ft x 50.03ft).

The semi-circle arcs located at the end of each side of the court are called the “goal circles”. The goal circle has a radius of 4.9 m (16 ft). The centre of the goal circle is the middle of the goal line, with the radius marked out from the outer edge of the goal line.

The circle, located in the middle of the court, is called the “centre circle”. The centre circle has a diameter of 0.9m (3ft).

International netball courts also require a “court surround” area, also called a “run off”, which provides space between the principal playing area and any officials, coaches, substitutes, spectators and equipment such as benches. The court surrounds should be at least 3.05m (10.01ft) in width, on each side of the court. 

In netball, all players have specific areas of the court that they are allowed to play in. The table below shows the different netball positions and where they can and can’t go on a court. 

The graphics below show how the different players on a netball team line up on the court:

Goalkeeper (GK)

The main role of the goalkeeper is to defend the team’s goal and prevent the opposition's Goal Shooter (GS) from scoring any points.

The goalkeeper is restricted to two specific areas of the court:

• The Defensive Shooting Circle

• The Defensive Third

Goal Defence (GD)

The primary responsibility of the Goal Defence is to support the Goalkeeper and defend their team’s goal by intercepting passes, marking the opposition’s Goal Attack player and initiating counter-attacks.

The Goal Defence is restricted to three specific areas of the court:

• The Defensive Shooting Circle

• The Defensive Third

• The Centre Third

Wing Defence (WD)

The Wing Defence’s primary role is to mark the opposition team’s Wing Attack player, preventing her/him  from passing the ball into the Shooting Circle.

The Wing Defence player is allowed in two areas of the netball court:

• The Defensive Third

• The Centre Third

It’s worth noting that, unlike other defensive players, the Wing Defence is not allowed in The Defensive Shooting Circle.

Centre (C)

The main role of the centre is to link attack and defence, receiving and distributing the ball. They also start and restart the game with a pass from the centre circle and take throw-ins and free passes in the goal third.

The Centre is allowed in three areas of the netball court:

• The Defensive Third

• The Centre Third

• The Attacking Third

They are not, however, allowed to enter the Defensive Shooting Circle or the Attacking Shooting Circle.

Wing Attack (WA)

The Wing Attack’s main role is to pass the ball into the Attacking Shooting Circle, assisting the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter. They cannot shoot themselves.

The Wing Attack is allowed in two areas of the netball court:

• The Centre Third

• The Attacking Third

The Wing Attack is not allowed to enter the Attacking Shooting Circle.

Goal Attack (GA)

The Goal Attack’s primary role in the team is to score goals and assist the Goal Shooter.

The Goal Attack is allowed in three areas of the netball court:

• The Centre Third

• The Attacking Third

• The Attacking Shooting Circle

Goal Shooter (GS)

As the name suggests, the primary role of the Goal Shooter is to score goals. They must stay within the attacking third of the court.

The Goal Shooter is allowed in two areas of the netball court:

• The Attacking Third

• The Attacking Shooting Circle

Netball is a sport of strategy, athletic ability, technique, and teamwork. All of these facets of the game are influenced by the court’s layout and areas; which dictate the roles and responsibilities  players in each position can take on. 

Now that you know all about the positions and zones on a netball court, you should be able to follow along with televised games and participate to a greater and more enjoyable extent. A deep appreciation of the strategy involved in each attacking and defensive play, will help you to fully immerse yourself in the game at hand. 

At Net World Sports we sell a wide range of netball equipment for players, coaches and netball facilities. Our selection of netball gear includes adjustable netball posts, socketed netball posts, netball balls and netball bibs.