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What Is a Penalty Pass in Netball?

The penalty pass in netball explained: the sanction for contact and obstruction, why the infringer stands out of play, and when it can be a shot.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last reviewed

A penalty pass is awarded for major infringements such as contact and obstruction. The infringer must stand beside the player taking it, out of play, until the ball is released. Other defenders can still defend. In the goal circle, a Goal Shooter or Goal Attack can pass or shoot.

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Beginner
Written for
Player, parent, umpire
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Restarts sanctions

A penalty pass is netball's sanction for major infringements — most often contact and obstruction, but also others such as interference with a shot, defending from out of court and foul play. It comes with a stricter requirement than an ordinary free pass.

The rule in plain English

The penalty pass is taken where the infringer was standing — or where the infringed player was standing, if that would otherwise put the non-infringing team at a disadvantage (Rule 6.1).

The infringer must stand out of play (Rule 6.4). That means they must:

  • move quickly to the position the umpire indicates;
  • stand beside, but away from, the player taking the penalty pass, so as not to impede them;
  • stay there without moving or taking any part in play — including talking — until the ball has been released.

Only the infringer is restricted. Every other defender can defend as normal, including marking from 0.9m.

Who stands where at a penalty pass The player taking the penalty pass, T, holds the ball. The infringer, I, stands beside T but a little away, out of play, and takes no part until the ball is released. Another defender, D, stands at least 0.9 metres from T and may defend the pass. T passes to receiver R. T R I D 0.9 m+ 1 2 3
A penalty pass. (1) The infringer (I) moves quickly to stand beside, but away from, the player taking it (T), and stays out of play — no moving, no comments — until the ball is released. (2) Other defenders (D) can still defend from 0.9m. (3) T can pass — or, if T is the Goal Shooter or Goal Attack in the goal circle, shoot.

Shooting from a penalty pass

If a Goal Shooter or Goal Attack takes a penalty pass in the goal circle, they can choose to pass or shoot (Rule 6.6). If a penalty pass in the attacking circle hasn't been taken when time runs out, time is extended so it can be taken.

Taking it quickly

A player who is correctly positioned can choose to play the ball straight away, before the penalty pass is set (Rule 6.7). The infringer still can't take part in play or try to intercept until the ball has been released.

A simple example

A Goal Defence obstructs the Goal Attack in the circle. The Goal Attack is awarded a penalty pass and the Goal Defence stands beside them, out of play. The Goal Attack can shoot — but the Goal Keeper, who didn't infringe, can still defend the shot from 0.9m.

Penalty pass vs free pass

Penalty pass Free pass
For major infringements For minor infringements
The infringer stands out of play Nobody stands out of play
A Goal Shooter or Goal Attack in the circle may shoot No one may shoot from a free pass

What the umpire is looking for

The umpire checks the infringer is standing beside and away from the thrower, and stays out of play until the ball is released. If they take part, a further penalty pass is awarded, which can be advanced (Rule 6.4).

Common misunderstandings

  • "A penalty pass is unopposed." Only the infringer stands out of play; any other defender can mark and defend.
  • "It's a penalty shot." The rules call it a penalty pass — a shooter taking it in the circle just has the option to shoot.

Player tips

  • If you've been awarded a penalty pass, look for the free player straight away — the infringer can't defend, which often leaves an attacker unmarked.
  • If you're the infringer, get into position quickly and stay completely still and quiet until the ball has gone.

Umpire tips

  • Indicate clearly where the infringer must stand, and watch them until the ball is released.

The penalty pass follows contact and obstruction — see free pass for the sanction used for minor infringements.

Common mistakes

  • The infringer moving, talking or trying to intercept before the ball is released.
  • Thinking a penalty pass is unopposed — only the infringer stands out; everyone else can defend.
  • Not realising a Goal Shooter or Goal Attack can shoot from a penalty pass in the goal circle.

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.