Netball vs Basketball Court-Difference And The Rules
Curious about how the courts of two popular sports, netball and basketball, compare? A usual netball court is roughly 30 meters by 15 meters, giving lots of room for team action. On the other hand, a regular basketball court is a bit bigger, with measurements of 28.6 meters by 15 meters.
But there’s more to these sports than just court size. There are other differences like court markings, number of players, and more. We’re going to lay out the main differences between netball and basketball in a way that’s easy to get. Whether you’re a fan of one or simply curious about both, we’ve got you covered. Let’s check out what sets netball and basketball courts apart!
Differences Between Netball and Basketball Court
Take a good look at the layout of both courts to see how they’re different. This will help you understand the measurements and markings on each court. When you check out the layout and read on, it’ll be easy to spot the contrasts.
Netball vs. Basketball Court Layout
This is what a netball court looks like.
And this is the Basketball court layout:
Here’s an overview for simplifying the contrast between Netball and Basketball:
| Aspect | Netball | Basketball |
| Court size | Length: 100 feet, Width: 50 feet | Length: 94 feet, Width: 50 feet |
| Goalpost Height | 10 feet tall | 10 feet high |
| Ring Diameter | 15 inches | (uses hoop)18-inch rim diameter |
| Backboard Size | Not applicable (uses a ring without backboard) | 72 inches wide and 42 inches tall |
| No. of Players | 7 players with specific roles | 5 players with more open movement |
| Duration | Quarters: 15 minutes | Quarters: 12 minutes |
| Resting time | 3-minute resting time between each | 10-minute rest after the 2nd quarter |
| Scoring system | 1 point per goal (inside shooting circle) | 2 or 3 points for field goals and 1 point for free throws |
| Equipment | Size 5 ball | Regulation size 7 ball |
Netball vs. Basketball court dimensions
A regular netball court is about 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. That gives players enough room to move around while keeping a fair distance between teams. Now, when it comes to a standard basketball court, it’s a bit bigger, at about 94 feet long and 50 feet wide.
(Just to help you picture it, that’s about 30 meters long and 15 meters wide for the netball court and about 28.6 meters long and 15 meters wide for the basketball court.)
Related: How to Construct Netball Court
Netball court markings vs. Basketball court markings
In a netball court, you’ll find markings like the Centre Circle, Shooting Circle, and Goal Third lines. Whereas, On a basketball court, you’ll see markings such as Free Throw Lines, Key Areas, and Three-Point Lines. Here’s what they mean:
Netball court markings
Center Circle: The center circle in netball is like the heart of the game, and it’s about 4.9 feet wide. It determines where players can stand or move when a center pass is being taken.
Shooting Circle: It’s like a half-moon-shaped area near the net, and only certain players from the attacking side can stand here to shoot goals.
Goal Third Lines: The goal third lines divide the court into three zones as shown above. They tell players where they can and can’t go during the game.
Basketball Court Markings
Free Throw Line: In basketball, there’s a line 15 feet away from the basket. When players get fouled, they get a chance to shoot free throws from here.
Key Area(or the Paint): This is a big rectangular area near the basket. It’s important for fouls and where players stand when defending.
Three-Point Line: Think of this line as a big hoop around the key area. When a player scores from beyond this line, they get three points instead of just two.
Netball Court Rules vs. Basketball Court Rules
Netball Court Features
Goalposts Height and Structure: Netball goalposts are 10 feet tall. They are designed to handle powerful goal attempts.
Ring Diameter: The netball ring measures 15 inches in diameter and has a net to catch successful goals.
Basketball Court Features
Hoop Height and Diameter: The height difference isn’t much and it only differs by 10mm from Netball height but the diameter is significantly bigger. Basketball hoops are set at 10 feet high with an 18-inch rim diameter.
Backboard Size and Material: Backboards vary in size but are typically 72 inches wide and 42 inches tall.
Other differences Between Netball And Basketball
When it comes to comparing Netball and Basketball, it’s not just about the court. Let’s dive into other features that are different between these two popular sports:
Equipment
- Ball Size: Netball uses a smaller size 5 ball, whereas Basketball goes big with a regulation size 7 ball. Both have differences in diameter, respectively.
- Hoop and Backboard: From features, you already know that backboard and hoop sizes are different. Basketball’s bigger ball matches its hoop, which has a backboard. But Netball’s hoop is smaller and doesn’t have a backboard.
Player Positions and Movement
- Player Roles: Netball assigns specific roles and positions to 7 players. In Basketball, the game is more open, with 5 players per team.
- Movement across the court: One major way netball and basketball are different is how players move on the court. In netball, each player has a specific job and place to stand. In basketball, players can move all around the court without strict positions.
- Ball Handling: Basketball involves dribbling the ball or passing it to a teammate. Dribbling isn’t allowed in Netball. Netball players must pass within 3 seconds of touching the ball. Netball players really need to work together and be in the right places on the court to be successful.
Scoring system
In Basketball, you get 2 or 3 points for a field goal and 1 point for a free throw. You can score from anywhere on the court. In Netball, each goal is worth 1 point, and you can only score from inside the shooting circle, handled by the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter.
Related: Maintance your netball court
Game Duration and Structure
- Quarters: Both sports use the same time unit but with different duration. In basketball, each quarter is 12 minutes long, and there’s a 10-minute rest after the second quarter. However, in netball, quarters are 15 minutes long, and there’s a 3-minute resting time in-between each.
- Contact: Netball is a sport where you can’t touch or bother your opponents when they are passing or shooting the ball. You can only make contact with them if you don’t disturb their team’s strategy. Plus, you have to stay at least 35 inches away when they’re passing the ball.
Conclusion
As athletes, even tiny differences can make the playing experience one-of-a-kind. If you like things organized and precise, netball is for you. But if you’re into fast and dynamic action, basketball is the best choice. Each sport has its own challenges and thrills. So, which one you pick depends on what you like and how you like to play.
