NSG Umpire = Facilitator = On Court Coach to BOTH teams
One umpire who is ON the court with the players, helping BOTH teams equally.
16 years +, with a Pass (70%) the Rules of Netball theory exam – via Netball Australia’s new sports learning platform: https://learning.netball.com.au – 2 hour open book test, costing $12.50.
Umpire’s role is to try and make the game as enjoyable, educational and safe as possible for ALL players and to remain neutral.
Encourage fair play and flow of the game, with possession of the ball shared evenly between each team.
Umpire CAN assist the team that is not doing as well, eg, you may give that team a few centre passes in a row, rather than alternating the centre pass. Refer to Mercy Rule below.
Umpires can be generous, use their discretion and give equal benefit of the doubt for footwork, replay, fumbled catches, dragging of the landed foot, tiny offsides etc, so as to let the game flow with more encouragement than whistle, especially if there are no major mistakes or players are clearly new.
NSG Safety Rules
Umpire must inspect ALL players to ensure jewellery, watches etc for BOTH teams are removed. Earring must be removed – taping NOT allowed. (Medical/Religious exemptions are available)
Check nails of all players for BOTH teams before the game – must be SHORT & SMOOTH.
Check your court is clear, and spectators or equipment is off the court.
Discourage & stop play for any contact, rough, reckless or rude behaviour – simply blow your whistle, ask the player involved to stop the behaviour, eg, ‘please try not to hit another player’ and give the ball to the other team, play continues.
DON’T let players dive on the ball, snatch the ball out of another’s hands or fight over the ball – please blow the whistle immediately and give the ball to the non-offending team/player.
Immediately send for help from the NSNA admin room if there is any behaviour ON or OFF the court that is not ‘in the spirit’ or unacceptable. We’re here to help.
NSG Mercy Rule
NSG aims for all players to learn and participate in every game in a safe and enjoyable environment. Possession to both teams and all players is important and no player should be standing still for long periods.
In a one-sided game, where possession is largely restricted to one end or one team the Mercy Rule should be introduced by the Umpire ASAP and no later than half time.
Mercy measures should be accepted without question from officials, players and parents of the dominant team.
Mercy measures awarded to the trailing team can include increased leniency, multiple/repeat centre passes, majority of throw ins (especially on their goal line), or being slightly ‘stricter’ towards stronger team, eg, on footwork.
Dominant team should also mix up their positions to assist with sharing the possession.
NSG Basic Rules & Modifications
Player can hold the ball for 5 seconds.
One on one defending is allowed at a distance of 4 feet (1.2m) – clear space around the thrower.
Stepping/footwork may be penalised if no attempt has been made to stop, slow down or pivot. Depending on the skill level of players, use discretion on what you penalise so as to ensure the game FLOWS for BOTH teams.
Centre passes alternate after each goal & C’s feet must be INSIDE the circle, then the whistle blows & C can pass the ball to a player who moves into the centre third.
Only change ends at half time.
Player positions must be rotated/changed at each half – 2 positions per player per game.
Toes must be behind the lines; but for a THROW IN toes need to be ‘up to’ (not on) the line.
Players cannot dive on the ball or throw when they are on the ground.
THERE ARE NO TOSS UPS – the rule is deleted from all netball. For simultaneous possession or mutual infringement, the ball is given to the player/team who last had possession of the ball before the incident. If a player ‘clearly and cleanly’ gets the ball first, then the 1st player retains possession and the opposing player can resume defending at the correct NSG distance/4 feet. Umpire can choose to use their whistle or just words for possession decisions.
Umpiring NSG –Before and After the Game
Check BOTH TEAMS for NO jewellery including earrings, Fitbits and anklets.
NO taping of earrings.
Hair must be appropriately tied back.
Check the ball & help the captains ‘toss’ for first centre pass/goal end – use ‘scissors, paper, rock’.
Check court safety – if required, move parents, coaches***, kids, equipment etc off the end/goal lines and at least 1 metre away from the sidelines.
Help set the players up in their ‘starting positions’ for the first centre pass, with 7 opposing pairs of players, before the buzzer goes.
At the end of the game congratulate all players and encourage both teams’ players to congratulate/acknowledge each other with handshake/fist pump/wave etc.
If you have any concerns or questions, please visit the NSNA admin room. We’re here to help.
*** Coaches MAY NOT pace up/down the sidelines or stand on the goal line. The UMPIRE is the neutral on-court coach equally to both teams.
