Netball - Some Basics

Netball is a game somewhat similar to basketball. It was originally created by female colleagues of James Naismith, the man who created basketball. They wanted to create a version of the game for women that they would be able to play in dresses as this was the 19th century and women wore very modest clothing. Because of the clothing restrictions, the players' moves were limited so netball has different rules and strategies than basketball. Although netball equipment has some similarities to basketball, it is a unique game and very popular in many parts of the world. One of the primary pieces of netball equipment is the ball. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the goal post and score more point than your opponent. Netball is played by all age groups and there are different ball sizes. Junior players, generally between 8 and 10 years old, play with the official size 4 ball. Older players play with official size 5 balls. There are also training balls available for working on specific skills. For example, pass training balls can be heavier and this strengthens the wrists and helps improve passing distance and agility. Another important components of netball equipment are the goal posts. There is one at each end of the court and goal rings and nets are attached to the top of each goal post. Again there are two official sizes, 2.4 meters high for junior players and 3.05 meters high for older players. While these are usually permanently installed in one spot using fixed sockets, there are also free-standing and wheel-away goals posts. The court is also a necessary part of netball equipment and should have a firm surface. It should measure 30.5m long and 15.25m wide and be divided into three equal sections with goal circles beneath each post and a center circle at center court. Netball is a very team-oriented game and passing skills are very important. There are seven players on a team, and each player is restricted to a certain section of the court. Each position player' uniform includes some kind of identification, usually a bib, and these are a very crucial part of netball equipment. Bibs allow everyone, including spectators, to know the position and to tell if the player has strayed out of their section. And since only Goal Shooters and Goal Attack players can shoot goals, bibs help these players to be visible to their team and the opponents. Bibs should be made from light breathable fabric. Each team should have its own bib color and the bib should also have position identification labels. These are often sold in sets of seven for team use and some bib sets are reversible. Besides the team netball equipment already listed, players may want to purchase additional items including netball shoes, protective shorts, and personal training gear. Many stores carry netball equipment and most have a website, so players can easily find the equipment they need and have it conveniently shipped to their homes. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3030562