How to play netball

Each player is given a specific playing position, indicated by the lettering on their bibs.

These are:

• Goal Shooter (GS): Allowed to play in the goal third and shoot.
• Goal Attack (GA): Allowed into their team's goal third and centre third and can shoot.
• Wing Attack (WA): Allowed into centre third and attack third (apart from the goal circle). Can't shoot.
• Centre (C): Allowed into whole court apart from goal circles. Can't shoot.
• Wing Defence (WD): Same as WA except at the opposite end of the court.
• Goal Defence (GD): Same as GA except at the opposite end of the court.
• Goal Keeper (GK): Same as GS except at the opposite end of the court.

The aim

The aim of the game is to get the ball from the circle in the centre of the court into your team's goal by passing it from player to player.

Each goal scores the team one point. The ball returns to the centre circle after every goal where the Centre players take it in turns to throw off.

The rules

Players cannot run with the ball. Instead they must make their moves off the ball, and keep their landing foot still when they receive the ball.

When defending the ball, players must stay three feet from the landing foot of the person holding the ball.

Netball is a non-contact sport - if you run into your opponent, you will be penalised by being asked to stand out of play for a penalty pass (or shot, if you are in the circle and are one of the nominated shooters).

Two umpires control each game of netball - their word is final!