Netball Super League | New year, new rules!

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.

With the Netball Super League being the first league to implement these rules, fans will be able to see them in action for the first time at the Season Opener on Saturday 17 February 2024, (following international use at the Vitality Netball Nations Cup.)

England Netball’s Head of Officiating, Gary Burgess said:

“Having the World Netball Rules update implemented for the 2024 Netball Super League season provides our elite athletes, coaches, umpires, and technical officials with the best opportunities for continued success.”

“Being able to implement the updated Rules in the NSL before the domestic roll out will also support the Netball Family to prepare for the new season in September by showing them the Rules in action each week.”

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.

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