Throw-In Rules in Netball
Netball throw-in rules explained: where it's taken from, the footwork involved, and how defenders must position themselves.
A throw-in is taken from outside the court at the point nearest where the ball went out, by a player from the team that didn't send it out, with defenders required to stay at least 0.9m back until the ball is released.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Written for
- Player, parent, umpire
- Rule group
- Restarts sanctions
The throw-in is netball's most frequent restart — used every time the ball goes out of court — and it comes with its own specific footwork and distance rules.
The rule in plain English
The throwing player stands outside the court boundary, at the point nearest to where the ball went out, and throws the ball back into play within three seconds of the umpire signalling. The thrower's feet must stay outside the court until the ball has left their hands, and defending players must stay at least 0.9m from the boundary line at the point of the throw until the ball is released. The thrower doesn't have to wait for every other player to be back on court first — they can take the throw-in as soon as they're in position.
A simple example
The ball goes out of court off a defender's touch. The attacking team's nearest player collects it, stands just outside the boundary line at the spot closest to where it went out, and throws it back in to a teammate once the defending team has retreated the required distance.
Legal vs illegal
| Legal | Illegal |
|---|---|
| Throwing from outside the boundary, feet clear of the court until release | Stepping onto the court before the ball leaves the thrower's hands |
| Defenders retreating to at least 0.9m from the boundary line | A defender closing in before the ball is thrown |
| Releasing the throw within the time limit | Taking too long to release, similar to a held ball infringement |
What the umpire is looking for
The umpire checks the thrower's foot position relative to the boundary line, the defending team's distance, and the time taken before release.
Restart
If the throw-in itself is taken illegally — for example the thrower stepping onto the court early — it's simply retaken correctly, or a free pass may be awarded to the non-offending team at the umpire's discretion depending on the specific infringement.
Common misunderstandings
- "The thrower can step in as soon as the ball leaves their hand." Correct — the restriction is only on ball release, not on movement afterward, so the thrower is free to enter the court immediately once the ball is gone.
- "Everyone has to be back on court before the throw-in can be taken." Not true — the thrower can restart as soon as they're in position, even if teammates or opponents are still making their way back onto court.
- Confusing the throw-in distance with the general 0.9m obstruction rule. They use the same distance, but the throw-in version applies to the whole defending team relative to the boundary, not just to whoever is marking the thrower.
Player tips
- Know the exact spot the throw-in should be taken from — the nearest point on the boundary to where the ball went out, not wherever is most convenient.
Umpire tips
- Check defending team distance from the boundary before signalling for the throw, since players naturally drift closer waiting for the restart.
Related rules
Throw-ins follow directly from out of court, and share the same underlying distance principle as obstruction elsewhere on court.
Common mistakes
- The thrower stepping onto the court before releasing the ball.
- A defender closing inside 0.9m before the throw-in is taken.
- The thrower taking longer than the time limit to release the ball.
Official source: checked against the World Netball Rules 2024, published by World Netball. Last checked 19 August 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.