Formats of the Sport

The traditional seven(7)-a-side format of the sport has been played since 1895. World Netball owns The Rules of Netball and regularly reviews them with the Rules of Netball 2024 Edition launching in December 2023. The new rules cam into effect internationally from the 1st of January 2024 and Member countries may plan their domestic competition implementation date up to the 1st of September 2024.

For more about The Rules of Netball, Click Here.

In addition to the standard game, netball is played in a variety of formats:

FAST5

In 2008 World Netball developed a new format of the sport which was named Fast Net. This was a 6-a-side game launched in 2009 at the World Netball Series in Manchester, England.

Following a review of Fast Net this was further developed into a 5-a-side game called FAST5 – which is the format used at the FAST5 Netball World Series. The format is netball like you’ve never seen before; featuring dynamic rules changes including five players a side, shorter quarters, power plays and super shots.

Click here to download the FAST5 Rules.

Click here for more information on the FAST5 Netball World Series.

Beach Netball

Netball is played both indoors and outside – For those lucky enough to have access to a beach netball is growing at a pace with a range of tournaments adding razmataz and sun to the sport.

A number of World Netball Members hold annual beach netball tournaments.

Although primarily a women’s sport, mixed and men’s netball are becoming increasingly popular.

Disability Netball

World Netball is eager to ensure the widest possible access to the sport. A number of World Netball Members work closely with colleagues from agencies with a disability focus to look at ways the sport can be adapted to allow full participation. Part of this also includes the education of coaches and those involved in the planning and delivery of netball programmes.