Section 8: Safety Considerations
Court and Equipment Safety
- The 3.05 m runoff around the court must be clear of obstacles; players regularly leave the court at high speed pursuing the ball
- Goalposts must be padded to a minimum height of 2 m
- The court surface must be firm and even; wet patches and debris must be cleared before play resumes
- Footwear must be appropriate to the surface and free of metal spikes or sharp edges
Player Safety
- Fingernails must be kept short and smooth — long or sharp nails are an injury risk to opponents during contests for the ball
- Jewelry that may cause injury must be removed or, where permitted by the umpires (e.g., medical bracelets, religious items), securely covered
- The 0.9 m obstruction distance is in part a player-safety mechanism — closer defence increases collision risk
- Players treating cuts or bleeding wounds must leave the court for treatment; bleeding wounds must be covered before return to play
Concussion and Head Injury
World Netball follows the World Rugby/IOC consensus on concussion in sport: any player with a suspected concussion is removed from play and is subject to a graduated return-to-play assessment before being cleared for subsequent training and competition. Match-day diagnosis of concussion is the responsibility of the team medical staff, supported by an independent match medical observer in international competition.
Heat and Hydration
Indoor netball venues are typically climate-controlled, but outdoor competition (most often at school and club level) may face heat-related risks. World Netball recommends WBGT-based heat thresholds and play modifications; specific implementation is at the discretion of the host federation and the match-day medical staff.
Match Officials' Authority
The umpires have authority to suspend play for any safety concern, including unsafe surface conditions, unsafe equipment, or a medical incident. Play resumes only after the umpires are satisfied that the safety concern has been resolved.