Netball is similar to basketball except there is no dribbling and no running with the ball. There are also seven team players and the ball has to be passed within three seconds. Also, the ball and the net are a little smaller than a basketball and a basketball hoop and there is absolutely no backboard. Another difference is that players are put in certain areas of the court. Netball is so popular that there are over 20 million people playing it in more than 70 different countries. It has actually been recognized as an Olympic sport in 1995 and many players and coaches are pushing for it to be included in the actual Olympic Games with the other highly popular sports.
The History of Netball
Netball actually used to be referred to as women’s basketball. In 1891, the game of basketball was invented by Canadian Professor James Naismith. Because of the way women dressed back then and couldn’t dribble the ball which is what they do in basketball, a few years later, in 1895 he invented the passing game of netball. It then became the number one women’s sport in several different countries excluding the United States since it was not known about in the USA at the time.
Although this sport has now been played in the United States for the last 30 years, it is still not really recognized as a sport. Despite this, netball is incredibility popular across the globe, particularly in the Commonwealth nations. In the UK, for example, there are thousands of amateur and social netball leagues which attract a growing pool of enthusiastic players. Similarly, in Australia, netball is considered the most popular women’s team participation sport.
The Benefits of Netball
- · Although it was first recognized as a sport strictly for women, it is also played by men. With the different skill levels involving this unique sport, there are a wide variety of positions to play in this game.
- · There is not much equipment needed for this sport so the cost of playing it is lower than most other sports.
- · Although this game is competitive, it is not an aggressive game at all.
- · This sport is a true team sport. This is because it has to be passed from player to player for it to be moved down the court.
- · Because it is a true team sport and the players have their own position while playing the game, it helps build self-esteem
Facts about Netball
- · Although a team consists of 12 players, only seven of them can play at a time together.
- · Women playing this game will usually wear skirts or dresses while playing.
- · Although the players have to attempt to dunk the ball into the net, there is to be no contact with the goal ring as well as the net.
- · Each goal has to be shot within the circle and is worth one point.
Recently, however, extremely tall players have disrupted the flow of netball games, with some calling for a new 2-point scoring zone to be added.
