Rules of FAST5

Netball 2022 Edition

 CONTENTS

Introduction 5

Technical Specifications 6
F1 Court and Related Areas 6

Match Duration 8
F2 Match Length 8

Match Personnel 9
F3 Players 9
F4 Role of Captain 10
F5 Match Officials and Scorers 11

Sanctions 12
F6 Sanctions 12

Controlling Play 13
F7 Centre Pass 13

During the Match 14

F8 Substitutions 14

Scoring a Goal 15
F9 Requirements for scoring a Goal 15

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 INTRODUCTION

Game Management 16 FAST5 is a modified form of the Game of Netball approved by

F10 Game Management 16 World Netball (WN). The WN Rules of FAST5 (2022) are the official
rules of FAST5 and replace all earlier versions. They are to be read in
Umpire Hand Signals and Communication 17 conjunction with the WN Rules of Netball (2020).
F11 Umpire Hand Signals and Communication 17
The WN Rules of Netball apply to all match situations not specifically
mentioned in the WN FAST5 Rules. FAST5 rules are distinguished by
FAST5 Guidelines for Umpires 18
the use of the letter ‘F’ [e.g. Rule F2 (ii)]. All other references are to
1 Increased Teamwork between Umpires 18 the WN Rules of Netball (2020).
2 Lead and Trail Umpires 18
3 Start of Play 20
4 Keeping the Game Moving 20

World Netball publishes the Rules of Netball in several

different languages. If there is divergence in wording,
the English text is authoritative.

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 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

COURT AND RELATED AREAS

Rule F1 Court and Related Areas
goal line
(i) FAST5 matches are played on a Netball court with an additional

3.05 m (10 ft)

team bench 2
semi-circle of radius 3.5 m (11.5 ft) marked inside the goal circle
(centre at the mid-point of the outer edge of the goal line). The
area inside this semi-circle is called the ‘inner circle’; the area
between this semi-circle and the edge of the goal circle is called
the ‘outer circle’.
transverse line
(ii) A rectangular substitution box measuring 4 m by 1 m (13.1 ft by

subs
box
3.28 ft) is marked on the floor adjacent to the court surround,

30.5 m (100 ft)

official
bench
opposite the centre third and beside each team bench. The longer

bench zone

side line
sides are parallel to the side line and the outer edge is level with
each transverse line. centre circle

umpires’
subs

bench
box
(iii) The official bench is positioned adjacent to the court surround,
opposite the centre of the court. It may be positioned on either transverse line
side of the court, but if on the same side as the team benches it is
recommended that it be elevated for clear viewing of play.

team bench 1
15.25 m (50 ft)

Key:
Outer Circle 4.9 m (16 ft) radius
Inner Circle 3.5 m (11.5 ft) radius
Goal Thirds and Centre Third
Centre Circle 0.9 m (3 ft) diameter
Court Surround 3.05 m (10 ft)
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 MATCH DURATION MATCH PERSONNEL

Rule F2 Match Length Rule F3 Players

(i) A match consists of four quarters each of 6 minutes playing (i) A team consists of up to ten players. There are five playing
duration, with an interval of up to 2 minutes between the positions in each team whose playing areas are the same as
first-second and third-fourth quarters. The half-time interval is in Netball:
up to 4 minutes. Teams change ends each quarter. Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Centre (C),
Goal Defence (GD), Goal Keeper (GK).
1st interval 2nd half time 3rd 4th
quarter quarter quarter interval quarter
(ii) During play a team may not have more than five players on
6 minutes up to 2 6 minutes up to 4 6 minutes up to 2 6 minutes the court. If this occurs the umpire holds time and requires any
minutes minutes minutes additional player/s to leave the court.

(ii) The last 90 seconds of playing time in each quarter is designated Sanction: Free pass where the ball was when time was held
as the ‘Power Play Period’. This is contested by both teams in
each quarter. In a ‘Power Play Period’, all goals scored by a team (iii) A team must have at least four players on the court at any
receive double goal points. time (this may include a player in the process of entering
the court as a substitute).
(iii) If a winner is required and the scores are tied at full-time, extra (a) At the start of a quarter: when play is ready to start, a
time is played as follows: team must take the court if there are at least four players
(a) Play stops and players remain on the court (no change present (one must play as Centre). If four players are not
of ends) while the captains toss for the centre pass to present, a period of 30 seconds is allowed for additional
restart play player/s to arrive before the match is awarded to the
(b) Play immediately recommences for a period of 1 minute opposing team
(c) If at the end of this period one team is leading, this team is (b) During play: if a team has fewer than four players on the
declared the winner; if the scores are tied, play continues court, the umpire holds time and requires a player to return
until the next goal is scored to the court immediately
(d) Power play does not apply in extra time.
Sanction: Free pass where the ball was when time was held

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 MATCH PERSONNEL MATCH PERSONNEL

(c) If no player is available to take the court or if more than Rule F5 Match Officials and Scorers
one position in a team is vacant due to suspension and/or
ordering off, the umpires terminate play and award the (i) The umpires work together to cover the court and to control the
match to the opposing team. match [refer FAST5 Guidelines for Umpires].

Rule F4 Role of Captain (ii) The technical officials:

(a) Record the goal points for each team as each goal
Before the match the captains toss for the first goal end and initial is scored
centre pass in each quarter. (b) Indicate when the ‘Power Play Period’ commences in each
quarter by sounding an audible signal and standing a
(i) The team winning the coin toss: Power Play card on the official bench for the duration of
(a) Chooses the centre pass, either first-third or the ‘Power Play Period’
second-fourth quarters. (c) Indicate when extra time is being played by displaying a
visual signal at the official bench.
(ii) The team losing the coin toss:
(a) Chooses the goal end to commence the match
(b) Takes the first centre pass in the quarters not chosen by the
team winning the coin toss.

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 SANCTIONS CONTROLLING PLAY

Rule F6 Sanctions Rule F7 Centre Pass

(i) A penalty pass is taken where the infringer is standing unless this (i) The initial centre pass in each quarter is taken as specified
disadvantages the non-infringing team [Rule 7.1.1 (i) (b)]. If a [Rule F4].
disadvantage occurs, the penalty pass is awarded where the
non-infringing player is standing. (ii) All other centre passes are taken by the team that did not score
the last goal.
(ii) A disadvantage occurs:
(a) Through the court: if the non-infringing player is standing (iii) A team may not delay the centre pass in order to substitute its
closer to the team’s goal end Centre.
(b) In and around the goal circle: if the non-infringing player is
standing in a higher goal points area. Sanction: Penalty pass taken in centre third by the transverse line
at the goal end of the non-infringing team – the whistle is blown to
(iii) The player taking the penalty pass may: start play then the infringement is penalised. The substitute Centre is
(a) Take the penalty pass as indicated cautioned and stands out of play for the penalty pass
or
(b) Request to take the penalty pass where the infringer
was standing.

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 DURING THE MATCH SCORING A GOAL

Rule F8 Substitutions Rule F9 Requirements for Scoring a Goal

(i) Substitutions may be made during play (as well as during (i) A goal is scored when the ball is thrown or batted over and
stoppages and intervals). There is no limit to the number that can completely through the ring by Goal Shooter or Goal Attack from
be made and more than one substitution may be made at any any point within the goal third (including the goal circle).
time. Play will not be held for a substitution to be made.
(ii) Each successful goal scores a number of goal points as specified
(ii) For a substitution during play: below. The number of points is determined by the place from
(a) The substitute stands wholly inside the team’s substitution which the shot is made and includes contact with the ground by
box to indicate a substitution is to be made the player during the catching and holding of the ball prior to
(b) Before leaving the substitution box, the substitute tags the shot.
(with hand) the player leaving the court
(c) Players must observe the offside rule as they enter/leave
3 goal points the player had no contact with the
the court and must not interfere with the umpire’s movement
(super shot) ground in the goal circle
during the substitution
2 goal the player had contact with the ground in the outer
points circle but no contact with the ground in the inner circle
Sanction: Free pass where the ball was when the interference or
offside entry/exit occurred 1 goal the player had contact with the
point ground in the inner circle

(d) A player leaving the court returns to the team bench.

(iii) If a player lands simultaneously across a circle boundary the shot
is deemed to have been made from the circle area that scores the
fewer number of goal points.

(iv) During a ‘Power Play Period’ all goals score double goal points.

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 GAME MANAGEMENT UMPIRE HAND SIGNALS AND COMMUNICATION

Rule F10 Game Management Rule F11 Umpire Hand Signals and Communication

(i) The WN Rules of Netball [Rule 13] apply except that the length In FAST5 it is essential that hand signals are clear and voice
of a suspension is 1 minute of play. communication is kept to a minimum and used only when clarification
is needed. To ensure accuracy, umpires should wear a microphone
(ii) In addition, the following applies: to aid communication with the Technical Officials. Umpires should
An objective of FAST5 is for the attacking team to progress play clearly indicate goal points (using the signals below) and also
to its goal end in order to attempt to score a goal. Play that does call the number of goal points to assist the Technical Officials with
not meet this objective (e.g. passing the ball simply to use up scoring. In addition to the umpire hand signals specified for the WN
time) is considered to be ‘not in the spirit of the Game’. Rules of Netball [Appendix B Umpire Hand Signals] the following
hand signals are used.
In such a case:
(a) The umpire calls ‘use it’ and points to the goal end of the
(i) One goal point
team concerned as a signal that the team must immediately
One arm
progress the ball towards its goal end in order to attempt to
raised
score a goal
vertically
(b) If the player fails to immediately carry out the umpire’s
instruction the player is sanctioned

(ii) Two goal points

Sanction: Penalty pass awarded just outside the goal circle of
Both arms raised
the non-infringing team and the player is cautioned
high in air with
hands close together
(c) This signal remains in effect while the team has possession or
until a shot at goal has been attempted.

(iii) Three goal points

Both arms raised
high in air with
arms wide apart

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 FAST5 GUIDELINES FOR UMPIRES FAST5 GUIDELINES FOR UMPIRES

The following guidelines have been developed to assist umpires to In the diagram below, if team A has possession, the ball is deemed
ensure FAST5 is an exciting, high-speed game with wide appeal for to be moving towards team A’s goal end (irrespective of the position
players and spectators. They are based on the principles of ‘keeping of the ball). Hence umpire X is the lead umpire and umpire Y is the
the game moving’, a high level of teamwork between umpires, reduced trail umpire.
use of whistle and clear communication using hand signals.
direction of play
1 Increased Teamwork between Umpires
trail umpire (Y)
The umpires work cooperatively at all times. They cover the court as
follows:

(i) Each umpire controls the goal third to the right (including the goal
line) and the nearer side line.

(ii) The umpires work together to control play as it moves through the team B team A
centre third (see below). goal end goal end

(iii) Irrespective of where the ball is, either umpire may stop play for
injury/illness, blood or any other appropriate reason (players may
appeal to either umpire).

2 Lead and Trail Umpires

lead umpire (X)
To assist in describing the responsibilities of the two umpires as they
work together, the terms ‘lead umpire’ and ‘trail umpire’ are used
(it should be noted that these are used in a different sense from in If umpire Y is positioned on the side line:
other sports): Umpire Y controls team B’s goal third and the entire centre third,
umpire X takes up control from the second transverse line and
(i) The lead umpire is the umpire whose goal end the ball is controls only team A’s goal third.
moving towards.
If umpire Y is positioned on the goal line:
(ii) The trail umpire is the umpire whose goal end the ball is moving Umpire X may take up control from any point in the centre third as
away from. considered appropriate to play.
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 FAST5 GUIDELINES FOR UMPIRES NOTES

3 Start of Play
At the start of each quarter and after each goal, play is started by the
lead umpire. This means:

(i) At the start of each quarter, play is started by the umpire in whose
direction play is expected to move.

(ii) After each successful goal, play is restarted by the umpire in whose
half the goal was NOT scored.

(iii) After a stoppage, the umpires decide who restarts play according
to the position of the ball.

4 Keeping the Game Moving

Umpires should do all that they can to ensure playing time is
maximised. This means:

(i) Sanctions should be taken close to where an infringement occurs.

Umpires should not be overly fussy about the position unless there
is unfair gain involved.

(ii) When a penalty pass is awarded from which a shot might be

taken, the position (including the goal point area) should be clearly
indicated. The penalty pass is awarded where the non-infringing
player was standing but on request may be moved to where the
infringer was standing.

(iii) It is desirable that additional balls are available so play may restart
quickly (eg after a successful goal, when the ball goes out of court).

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 NOTES

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