ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THE NEW RULES

Centre Pass

Q. If an on-court player wants to appeal a centre pass, what do they say?

A. Players need to get the attention of one of the umpires and say "Appeal Centre Pass". 

Q. What if this ruling becomes a tactical move for a team to change the momentum of the game. 

A. It is not expected that the centre pass will be appealed very often and teams should be mindful that if the umpires deem the teams appeals to be tactical, they may be penalised for delaying play. 

Q. Who can appeal to the umpire for a centre pass check?

A. ONLY on-court players. 

Throw In

Q. If the defending team player goes to retrieve an out of court ball and the umpire is holding time (Premier / Premier Reserve only). If the player throws the ball back to the player taking a throw-in, at what point does the umpire put time back on? 

A. The player taking the throw in cannot take the throw in until the umpire re-commences the game with time back on. 

Toss Ups - Removal

Q. What would the umpire call in the event two players simultaneously broke ('breaking') at a centre pass?

A. Simultaneous infringement - breaking. Possession team name (team who were in possession at the time).   

Q. Could you use the Advantage rule for simultaneous breaking at Centre pass if the attacking team retained possession?

A. No - but the umpire could discount if ball not involved, or the umpire may be able to determine who broke first. 

Tactical Changes

Q. When making a tactical change, can a team just make position team changes on court or does it need to involve a substitution player (from the bench)?

A. Teams can just make Team Changes on court. 

Q. When making a tactical change, does the player who calls for a tactical change have to be one of the players that change positions or is substituted? 

A. No - Any oncourt player can request tactical change

Q. How long does the team have to make a tactical change? 

A. Change should happen without delay and not take undue time

Q. Can both teams make tactical changes if one team calls for it?

A. Yes

Q. Can the bench request a tactical change? 

A. No, only an on-court player

Q. What does the player say or do to ask for a tactical change? 

A. "Umpire - tactical change". Players are encouraged to use the hand signal also for clarity.

Player safety - blood

Q. Can you clarify what they mean by players with dried blood?

A. Players who are not themselves bleeding but have come into contact with a bleeding player and have blood on their body that can be easily wiped off. ​​​​​​​

Q.  What if a player who has another players blood on their uniform?

A. The blood on the uniform can be wiped or washed within 30 seconds to remain on court or the player will need to leave the court to resolve. A change of uniform within 30 seconds is acceptable. 

Game Management - Proactive Advice

Q. How many 'proactive advice' from an umpire can a player have in a match?

A. One

Q. How many advance / escalate infringements can a player have in a match?

A. One

Q. How many warnings and / or suspensions can a player have in a match? 

A. One

Q. How many foul play infringements can a player have in a match? 

A. To be clarified by Netball NZ

​​​​​​​Q. Is it expected that there will be more suspensions and ordering off in the game?

A. If players do not adjust their play there may be more game management including suspensions or ordering off required. Player safety rules have changed with suspension or ordering off for actions that endanger the safety of others. 

Q. Where does the suspended player stand if there is no official bench? (Community level)

A.  The player shall stand with the scorers on the sideline.  The suspended player may not rejoin their team bench during play but may do so at an interval. 

Q. Should intentional infringing be immediately penalised with an escalate / advance sanction or can the umpire use proactive advice for the first incident.

A.  Intentional infringing can go straight to advance or escalate.

E.g. intentional obstruction = penalty pass & advance the play
intentional offside = escalate to penalty pass