Accessed from Netball Australia: https://netball.com.au/news/changes-world-netball-rules Along with adaptations to existing rules, particularly clarifications and streamlining of contact and advantage, the 2024 edition focuses on player safety and game management. See rule book for full details, key changes listed below. Access website above for further details. Tactical Changes The 2024 Rules Update sees a change to the stoppages rule. The new rule means teams can just request a ‘tactical change’ immediately after a goal has been scored. This is in addition to the ability to make changes at an interval or at a stoppage for injury, illness or blood. There are two types of tactical changes; team change (when an on-court player changes playing positions with another on-court player) and substitution (when a player moves from the team bench to replace a player on the court). Goal After Whistle In the past, the ball had to pass completely through the ring before the whistle to be counted as a goal. Now, if the whistle to end play (or to hold time) is blown after the ball has left the hands of the shooter and the shot is successful, the goal will be scored. Centre Pass Checks If a team believes the centre pass is being signalled incorrectly, the updated rule allows an on-court player to appeal to the umpires before the centre pass is taken. The umpires will then check with the scorers who will confirm the correct centre pass. It is important to note that the appeal can only come from an on-court player, not the bench or coach. The appeal must be made before the centre pass is taken. Once it’s taken, any mistakes cannot be rectified. Toss Up Removal A toss up was previously used if an infringement occurred simultaneously. However, due to improved umpire education and training, the use of toss ups has become much less frequent and umpires are instead, correctly, penalising the infringement that occurred first. If a simultaneous infringement occurs the umpire awards possession to the team that last had possession of the ball, where the ball was when play stopped. Any player from that team may take the ball for the restart of play. It does not have to be the player who had the ball last. If it is in the team’s goal circle, the goal shooter or goal attack may shoot for goal. This is different from a situation where possession is called as a clarification (when two players gain possession of the ball in quick succession). Short Pass It is a fundamental principle of netball that every pass should be capable of being legally contested. The updated rule states that when a player passes the ball there must be sufficient space on the court for an opposing player to be able to deflect or intercept the ball as it moves from the hands of the passer to those of the receiver. The difference between the old rule “intercept by a hand” and the updated rule “deflect or intercept” is that the umpire must consider whether the defending player can make a genuine attempt. Player Safety World Netball has made changes and clarifications to rules regarding player safety, to ensure injury incidents – particularly head and neck injuries and suspected concussions – are taken seriously by players, coaches and umpires. The new rule clarifies that as well as umpires holding time for injury or illness following a verifiable request by an on-court player, they may also hold time without a request being made if there is an obvious or serious injury which would include an injury to the head or neck and/or suspected concussion. The player safety adjustments also include an amendment to the blood rule, stating that players with dried blood on them are no longer required to be substituted, and are now permitted to clean up quickly and continue playing. However, players who are bleeding, have an open wound or bloodstained clothing still must leave the court (and be substituted). Foul Play Foul play and resulting penalties have been split into three categories which attract increasingly serious game management action. The three new categories are unfair play, unsporting behaviour and dangerous play. Each category results in a varied form of a penalty pass, as well as the ability to advance, warn, suspend or order off depending on the seriousness of the action. This puts increased responsibility on players to use good judgment in making decisions on court and understanding that they will be held accountable for actions that might result in the injury of an opponent. Game Management Cautions have been removed and umpires can now advance or escalate a sanction. Adapted game management actions include proactive advice, an advancement down the court or escalation from a free pass to a penalty, an official warning, two-minute suspension and ordering off. As in the past, warnings, suspensions and ordering off are all immediately binding on the co-umpire. As an example: if one umpire gives a player a warning and that player continues to infringe at the other umpire’s end of the court, they would then suspend that player. Advantage The wording around the advantage rule has been adapted, and includes greater principles for application to allow umpires to ably apply and execute successfully. This will help ensure a team will not be disadvantaged when an opponent infringes, and allow the match to continue smoothly, without interruptions. Contact The updated contact rule clarifies the difference between the two types of contact penalty – interference and causing (both as a moving player and player in the air) – to ensure greater understanding and application in the moment. The update also makes clear the necessity of “right of way” and landing space. When two players jump in the air to contest, the player who gains possession has “right of way” and must be given space to land, relative to where the ball was travelling. A player who does not yield the space will be penalised, and no other player may move into the landing space. Playing the Ball Replayed ball is another rule that has been “refreshed”, to greater clarify both how one may gain possession of the ball, and what one can do while in possession. To gain possession, a player may:
Catch the ball with one or both hands.
Roll the ball to oneself.
Catch the ball if it rebounds from the goalpost.
Bat the ball once, then catch it.
Bounce the ball once, then catch it.
Touch the ball in an uncontrolled manner once or more than once, then catch it
Without possession, a play may:
Bat or bounce the ball to another player.
Bat the ball once, and then either bat or bounce the ball to another player.
Bounce the ball once, and then either bat or bounce the ball to another player.
Touch the ball in an uncontrolled manner once or more than once, and then either bat or bounce the ball to another player.
Throw-in With the new update, players no longer have to wait for all players to be on court before taking the throw-in.
Quick reference guide for umpires
WEEK BEFORE THE GAME
Readyour rule book
Complete the online Umpire Exam- making sure you get over 70%
Have your rule book, whistle, hair tie, watch, coin & drink bottle ready
BEFORE THE GAME
Arrive at court 10 minutes prior to game time
Introduce yourself to the other umpire & work out who is taking which side of the court (remember you control the court to your right hand side when standing on the sideline, in line with the centre circle)
Check that the court is clean, nails are short & smooth (have girls take off their gloves if they are wearing them- the nails still have to be short & smooth underneath), jewellery (none on- not even taped earrings are allowed), uniforms, scorecard filled in, scorer and timer are ready to go, you have a game ball from each team
Timer & scorer are to stand together (set timer for 15minutes each quarter, 3 minutes for minor breaks and 5 minutes for the half time break- 10 minute quarters for the JG & JH grades)
Make sure the teams have organized who has centre pass & which way they are shooting first
DURING THE GAME
Blow your whistle (double) and announce 30 seconds on court
Hold your arm out in the direction the centre pass is going & then blow a loud whistle (if the play is heading your end of the court) to begin the game
Make sure you stay 1-2 steps ahead of play at all times
After a goal is scored down your end of the court blow your whistle loudly to announce the goal and then again for the next centre pass
Do not run more than a couple of steps past the third line to your left hand side- you will become too tired!
Only call the ball out of court down the left hand side side-line- no matter what!
Watch for minor infringements (stepping, over a 1/3, held ball, replay, breaking, off side, short pass) & award a free pass- in your area of control
Watch for major infringements (obstruction or contact) & award either a penalty pass or a penalty pass/ shot in your area of control
Not sure what just happened on court? DO NOTHING
Use your arms to indicate where penalties, free passes or throw- ins are to be taken & the direction the ball will travel
Be positive & remember- players make mistakes and so will you! It’s not the end of the world!
Check & sign the scorecard at the end of the game
Upcoming courses
COURSES AND TRAINING Please refer to the Fremantle Netball website for association based courses for umpires. https://fremantlenetball.com.au/
Resources
All of the resources below are direct links to the Netball WA website