Umpires of all skill level are always welcomed and encouraged to join the BNC,

Contact Buller Netball Centre if you wish to learn to umpire, or if you are a past umpire, assist with umpiring this season.

BNC encourages all umpireds to gain their Centre Level Umpire Certificate.

New Umpire & Player Module (Required)

Who must complete: All players in Premier Grade must pass the NNZ Learning to Umpire module, unless they already hold a Centre Badge or above.

How to complete (Sport Tutor):

1. Register / log in to the Sport Tutor portal.
2. Open the NNZ Catalogue.
3. Search “umpire” and select Learning to Umpire.
4. Complete the module and download your certificate.
5. Send your certificate to Buller Netball Centre.

Summary of Key Netball Rules

Umpires

• Two umpires have control of the game and make the on-court decisions about the run of play.

Starting play

• Play is started with a pass from the centre circle – this is called the centre pass. There is a centre pass at the beginning of each quarter and half, and after each goal is scored. The teams take turns making the centre pass. The person making the centre pass must stand in the centre circle. The opposing centre can stand anywhere in the centre third but all other players must stay in the goal thirds until the umpire blows the whistle to start play. The centre pass has to be received in the centre third.

Held Ball

• Once the ball has been caught, the player must pass it or shoot for goal within three seconds.

Offside

• Each player is allowed in only a certain area of the court. If a player steps into an area or any part of their body touches the ground in an area their playing position is not allowed to go, will be ruled offside.

Footwork (Stepping)

• Once a player has landed with the ball, the first landed foot is called the grounded foot and must either stay on the ground or in the air until the ball is passed on. Re-grounding that same foot a second time while still in possession of the ball is a step which will result in a free pass to the opposition. Similarly, a hop, slide or drag of the grounded foot is not permitted.

Obstruction

• When a player is defending another player or trying to intercept the ball they must be at least 0.9 metres away from the grounded foot of the player who has the ball.

Contact

• A player is not allowed to physically contact an opponent if it disrupts or stops that person from playing. Pushing the ball out of an opponent’s hands is also not permitted.

Sanctions

• For contact, obstruction or moving the goalpost penalties, the offending player must stand beside or away from the thrower and where the umpire has indicated. A goal shooter or goal attack taking the penalty pass or shot in the goal circle can either pass the ball or shoot for goal.

Throw In

• When the ball goes out of court, the umpire takes note of which team touched it last. The throw in is then taken by a player from the opposing team close to where the ball went out of court. Standing close to the line from the outside of court, the player has three seconds to get the ball back in play.