RULES of NETBALL - STOPPAGES
Injury / Illness and Blood
There continues to be some confusion amongst players, coaches, managers and umpires
concerning the new rules around management of injuries. The new Rule state that when a player
calls time for injury or the player or umpire calls time for blood, the player concerned must leave
the court within 30 seconds and receive any treatment off the court. The 30 seconds is,
therefore, time granted to leave the court and not time during which the player may decide if she
is fit to continue.
If an injury occurs, the affected team may replace the player (and make other substitutions and
changes) or may leave the position empty. The other team may also make substitutions and
changes within the 30 second time limit.
If the position is left empty, the injured player may retake the court at the next interval, at another
injury stoppage or after a centre pass. If the position is filled, the injured player may only retake
the court at the next interval or at another injury stoppage.
KNA have made the following suggestions:
1. For the younger grades (U9 - U11) common sense should prevail. If a player falls over or is
hit by a ball and really only needs a few seconds to be comforted, she should be allowed to
remain on court whilst that occurs. If the player does need to leave the court, this should
occur as quickly as possible. For the older grades (U12 and up), the above rules should be
applied.
2. Coaches and managers should remind the players of the above rules - emphasising that
time should only be called when a player in fact wishes to leave the court and especially
discouraging calling time for another player on court.
The Rule in question is:
9.3 STOPPAGES
i.
The umpires hold time for injury/illness upon appeal from on on-court player or for blood and may
hold time for an emergency or such other circumstances as they consider appropriate. During a
stoppage:
a. For injury/illness of a player or blood: all players not affected remain on the court.
b. In an emergency or other circumstances: the umpires decide whether the players leave the
court or not.
9.3.1 Injury/Illness or Blood
i.
The umpires hold time for blood when noticed or for injury/illness when requested by an on-court
player (in extreme circumstances the umpires may hold time without a request being made).
ii.
The player concerned must leave the court within 30 seconds and receive any treatment off the
court.
vi.
Any blood on the ball or court must be cleaned before play restarts and any blood-stained clothing
replaced.
vii.
During the stoppage both teams may make substitutions and/or team changes, provided these are
completed within the time allowed for the stoppage by the umpires.
viii.
If no substitution is made for the injured/ill player, or for a player who is bleeding, paly may resume
with the position left vacant. If the player is the Centre and no substitution is made one player must
move to play as centre to allow the match to continue.
ix.
If the position is left vacant the player concerned or a substitute may subsequently, after advising
the umpire, take the court immediately after one of the following:
a. A goal has been scored (in this case the player or the substitute must play in the position
left vacant) OR b. A stoppage for injury/illness or blood OR c. An interval.
23 June 2016