CRUNCH TIME!
The competition is now into it's 4th successful week - plenty of time to have dusted off the cobwebs and brushed up on our skills on court. Time to fine tune the game and umpires will be squeezing the best out of each team by tightening up on basic rules. To ensure consistency and fairplay to all teams (and by request!) all rules will now be evenly reinforced:)
a) 3 SECOND RULE - ball must be released within 3 seconds (count 1 Mississippi 2 Mississ...)
b) SHORT PASSES - players must have enough room for the opposition to pass through. Try bouncing the ball to avoid the 'whistle'!
c) 3 FEET - your 5 toes and entire foot must be firmly grounded in a 3 feet radius before your 5 fingers go up!
d) OBSTRUCTION - players cannot run around with arms flapping if a player does not have possession of the ball. Players can only defend the actual ball in play. Plus it looks hilarious:)
e) CONTACT - lots of versions of this rule, but basically:
* all moves are considered fair contesting if NEITHER player has the ball
* defence are allowed to 'post' themselves in a stationary (stand still position) and cause a contact if the offence moves into them.
* defenders cannot touch the ball while in possession
f) STEPPING - 2 steps and release the ball. Also careful when dragging your first grounded foot. Check which foot you landed on!
g) PASSES - the ball must be touched in every court third. If the whistle has been blown and the ball has been awarded, drop the ball and let play continue. Out of court thrown-ins should not be passed between several players. Watch your toes are behind the blue line!
h) SPORTSMANSHIP - we have an awesome group of netballers! The atmosphere is great and spirits are high. We as admin and organisers are having a blast. Thanks to all of you who have kept it friendly and fun and appreciate the work that goes into it all!
Feedback indicates that some players are concerned about:
i) amount of niggling on-court between other players/umpires
ii) consistency in umpiring, regardless of ability levels
iii) the big blokes vs smaller players
j) Four weeks in to the comp and umpires will now apply all rules. Umpires will approach each team during the quarter breaks and teams will have the chance to clarify rules and concerns. During the game there is to be no contesting the umpires decisions. A penalty goal may be rewarded at the discretion of the referee if he/she feels it is appropriate - verbal intimidation of other players is an example of a what may result in a penalty goal.
k) There should be two umpires on the court at all times, unfortunately due to a limited amount of volunteers, this has not been possible. We would gladly welcome extra umpires to assist in any court duties. Umpiring will ensure free league membership for volunteer umpires and of course access to all of Adrianna and Michelle's lush baking.
l) Mixed netball is a lot harder and faster than ladies - it makes a great game to watch and umpire. We recommend that guys should mark guys.
m) NAILS etc - please cut back your nails and remove all jewellery for safety.
