Netball is a team sport similar to and derived from basketball. It was originally known as "women's basketball" and developed in the United States, and while basically unknown in its homeland, is the preeminent women's team sport (both as a spectator and participant sport) in Australia and New Zealand and is popular in Jamaica, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and various other Commonwealth countries. Later, the name "netball" was adopted as women were beginning to play basketball proper, and the game started to attract male players.

Description and rules

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Like basketball, the game is played on a hard court with scoring rings at both ends, and with a ball resembling a basketball (but lighter, smaller and slightly softer in construction, and usually white in colour). The rings, whilst of similar height and dimension to basketball hoops, do not have a "backboard". The field is divided into thirds which regulate where individuals in each team are allowed to move, and two semi-circular "shooting circles" at each end from within which all scoring shots must be taken.

There are seven players on each team, who are given nominated, named positions (and in competitive netball must wear "bibs" or "patches" showing the abbreviations below indicating that position). They are only allowed in certain areas of the court: a player in a section of court that is not part of their playing area is deemed 'offside'. The positions are described below:

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@dmcclung wow who new netball was so dangerous
teaganxoxo (teagan d) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:29:05 -0000
@dmcclung wow who new netball was so dangerous
One of my netball injuries. It is ouch! http://twitpic.com/suy6o
dmcclung (David McClung) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:25:53 -0000
One of my netball injuries. It is ouch! http://twitpic.com/suy6o
@dmcclung HOw on earth did you hurt yourself? Isn't netball non contact?
burritoboy84 (potato sack race) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:02:46 -0000
@dmcclung HOw on earth did you hurt yourself? Isn't netball non contact?
two games of netball tonight. i'm going to be exaughsted! and then i have to babysit my brother and sister tonight aswell.
TegsNZ (Tegan Hutton) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:50:21 -0000
two games of netball tonight. i'm going to be exaughsted! and then i have to babysit my brother and sister tonight aswell.
@jimmymachan I'm at my netball breakup. And I won an award =D
ashhla (Ashleigh May Dunnett) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:43:53 -0000
@jimmymachan I'm at my netball breakup. And I won an award =D
I won a netball award ;D I won Top Shot :) Which means I was the best shooter for the season :D
ashhla (Ashleigh May Dunnett) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:38:03 -0000
I won a netball award ;D I won Top Shot :) Which means I was the best shooter for the season :D

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