What is offside in netball?
I · Intermediate · Playing the ball · 4 of 5A player is offside when they enter an area their position may not use, with or without the ball. Touching the line without crossing it is not offside, and a player may reach over a line for the ball as long as nothing touches the ground there. The sanction is a free pass where the player went offside.
How it works
- Offside: entering a wrong area.
- With or without the ball: both.
- On the line: not offside.
- Reaching over: allowed.
- Ground contact over the line: offside.
- Sanction: free pass.
- Where: in the offside area.
- Two players at once: possession rule.
The glossary has the offside, the Goal Keeper, the Wing Defence, the Goal defence, the simultaneous and mutual infringements and the free pass.
Tricky cases
A Wing Defence stands on the circle line. Offside?
No. Only crossing it.
Two opponents go offside together. Result?
Possession to the team that last had the ball.
Is offside a major infringement?
No. A free pass.
Can a player lean into the circle to catch?
Yes, without touching the ground inside.
Why the rule exists
It enforces the position areas that shape the whole game.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Line | Not offside | L 14.1 |
| Reach | Allowed | L 14.3 |
| Simultaneous | Possession | L 20 |
From the rule book
World Netball, Rules of Netball (2024), Rules 14 and 20. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: World Netball Rules of Netball 2024.