NetballExplained
Rule Administration Beginner

Extra Time in Netball

How extra time works in netball when a match needs a winner: two short halves, then play until one team leads by two goals.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last reviewed

If the event organiser has decided a winner is required, a tied match goes to extra time: two halves of up to seven minutes each. If it's still level after that, play continues until one team leads by two goals.

Difficulty
Beginner
Written for
Player, parent, umpire
Rule group
Administration

Extra time only comes into play when a match needs a winner and the scores are level at full-time. Otherwise, a netball match can end in a draw.

The rule in plain English

Before a match starts, the event organiser may tell the teams and umpires that extra time will be played if the scores are tied at full-time, and how long each half will be (Rule 2.5). If so, the World Netball rules set out the format (Rule 2.6–2.8):

  1. A four-minute interval after full-time.
  2. Two halves of equal length, each no longer than seven minutes, with a one-minute half-time interval. Teams change ends at half-time.
  3. The first centre pass of each half is taken by the team entitled to the next centre pass.
  4. If the scores are still tied at the end of extra time, a signal is placed at the official bench and play continues until one team leads by two goals.
Extra time After a tied match where a winner is required: a 4-minute interval, then two halves of up to 7 minutes each with a 1-minute half-time. If still tied, play continues until one team leads by two goals. Interval 4 min 1st half up to 7 1 2nd half up to 7 Still tied? Play on to a 2-goal lead
When a winner is required. A 4-minute interval, then two equal halves of no more than 7 minutes each, with a 1-minute half-time (teams change ends). If scores are still level, play continues until one team leads by two goals.

Why you may see other formats

The rules above are written for international play. Competitions at other levels are allowed to vary the extra-time requirements (Rule 21.10), and some professional leagues use their own systems — for example, the Netball Super League uses 10 minutes of extra time. Check the specific competition's rules before a final or knockout match.

Extra time vs a longer final quarter

Extra time is a separate set of periods after full-time, with its own interval — not an extension of the fourth quarter's clock.

Player and coach tips

  • Confirm before a final or knockout match whether extra time will be played and how long each half is, so there are no surprises if the scores are level.
  • Plan for fitness and substitutions: the two-goal finish means a tied match can run on beyond the two halves.

Extra time follows on from how long is a netball match? for standard playing time, and connects to stoppages for how the clock is managed during interruptions.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming every tied match goes to extra time — only matches where the event organiser has said a winner is required.
  • Thinking extra time is sudden death — it's two halves, then play continues until a team is two goals ahead.
  • Confusing extra time with simply extending the final quarter.

Official source: checked against the World Netball Rules 2024, published by World Netball. Last checked 10 October 2026.

Always check the official World Netball rulebook for the definitive, current wording. This site explains and illustrates the rules; it does not replace them.