First possession of the ball is decided by a coin toss.  The winner of the coin toss gets to decide whether to start with the ball first or choose a goal end.  The game starts with the possessing Center (C) in the center circle of the court and the umpire blows the whistle for commencement of play.  This is called a Center Pass.  After each goal is scored, and at the beginning of each quarter, a center pass is taken alternatively by the two centers, regardless of who scored the goal.  The umpire’s whistle indicates the beginning and the end of each quarter

A goal is scored when a Goal Shooter or Goal Attack having no contact with the ground outside the circle throws the ball completely through the goal ring.  The umpire’s whistle signals the goal is scored.

Netball is considered a non-contact sport.  A player cannot accidentally or deliberately come into contact with another player in a way which impedes their play.  For example, pushing, charging, tripping, throwing the body against an opponent or using the ball to push or contact an opponent.  Players must not hold an opponent, nor keep their elbows against an opponent with or without the ball.

A player must pass the ball or shoot for goal, within 3 seconds.

A player must stay within their designated playing area. A player may reach over and take the ball from an offside area provided that no part of their body touches the ground in that area.

The ball cannot be thrown over a complete third without being touched by a player in that third.

When the ball goes out of court it is thrown in by an opponent of the team which was last to touch it.  The player taking the throw in should place one or both feet behind the point where the ball crossed the line and make sure all other players are on the court before throwing the ball.  If a player has no contact with the ball they may stand or move out of the court but must make contact with the playing area and have no other contact with anything outside the court before attempting to touch the ball again.

When a player lands on one foot (the grounded foot) they may step with the other foot, lift the grounded foot, but must throw before regrounding.  They may use the grounded foot as a pivoting foot, stepping in any direction with the other foot as many times as they wish.  Once the pivoting foot is lifted they must pass or shoot before regrounding the foot.  A player may jump from the landing foot onto the other foot and jump again, providing they throw the ball before regrounding the landed foot.  NB: a player cannot drag or slide the grounded foot nor hop on either foot.

If a player catches the ball and lands on both feet simultaneously, they may step in any direction with one foot, lift the other foot but must throw or shoot before regrounding this foot.  They may pivot on one foot.  They may jump from both feet onto either foot, or step and jump but must throw or shoot before regrounding either foot.

A player who has possession of the ball may not bounce the ball and replay it.  If a player does not catch the ball cleanly, it may be bounced once to gain possession or batted or bounced to another teammate.  After throwing the ball, a player cannot play it again until it is touched by another player, or rebounds off the goal post.
A player cannot:

• Punch, roll, kick or fall on the ball.
• Pass the ball in any way while lying, sitting or kneeling on the ground.
• Use the goal post as a way to regain balance or as a support while stopping the ball from going out of court.

There must always be room for a third player to move between the hands of the thrower and those of the receiver when passing.  Passes that do not have this room are called short passes.

A toss up is used when:

• Opposing players simultaneously contact each other.
• Opposing players simultaneously knock the ball out of court.
• Opposing players simultaneously gain possession of the ball.
• The umpire is unable to decide who touched the ball before it went out of court.
• Opposing players are simultaneously offside when one player gains possession of the ball.

The two players stand 3 feet apart, facing each other and their own goal ends.  Their arms should be straight with hands by their side.  Once in position, they must not move until the umpire has blown the whistle. The ball is tossed up from just below shoulder height of the shortest player.

The ball may be caught or batted except directly at an opponent.

A Goal Shooter or Goal Attack may shoot for goal from a successful possession at a toss up.

• A free pass is awarded for all minor infringements on the court.
• The pass is taken where the infringement occurred by any player who is allowed in the area.
• The offending player does not have to stand beside the thrower taking the pass.
• If a free pass is awarded in the goal circle, the goalers may only pass the ball – not shoot for goal.

• A penalty pass is awarded for contact, intimidation and obstruction infringements.
• The pass is taken where the infringer was standing, except if it places the non-defending team at a disadvantage.
• The pass can be taken by any player who is allowed in that area.
• The penalized player must stand “out of play”.  That is, beside and away from the player taking the pass and make no attempt to take part in play until the ball has left the throwers hands.

• If a penalty is given to a Goal Attack or Goal Shooter in the goal circle they are awarded a “penalty pass or shot”.