Whether you’re planning PE lessons that give Juniors an introduction to a sport they will play regularly in secondary school, or you’re gearing up for the start of another netball season with Year 8s or Year 9s who know all there is to know about the game, having the right equipment is crucial. This includes finding the perfect what size is a netball hoop height for your pupils to optimise their playing experience.
Netball is a team ball sport played by two teams of seven players. It’s a fast-paced, skilful game that has gained popularity around the world in countries where women’s sports aren’t widely developed. The game is similar to basketball, but with some key differences.
The court is rectangular, and is divided into three thirds by raised goal rings at each end. Each player is assigned a specific position, which defines their role and restricts movement to certain areas of the court. The wing attack and goal attack must stay within their respective thirds of the court at all times, while the centre and goalkeeper remain in the defensive third closest to their net. During general play, the ball can be held by a player for only three seconds before being passed to another team member.
A netball is a smooth ball that weighs between 14 and 16 ounces (roughly 400 and 450 grams). It has a series of tiny raised bumps, or dimples, which help to improve grip and control during the game. The ball’s outer casing is typically made from rubber, and the inner bladder is either latex or polyurethane.
When it comes to choosing a netball, there are two main types: match and training balls. Match balls are designed for competition and adhere to the official netball size of size 5, which is used in all official matches and by professional players. Training balls are slightly different, and they can be found in a range of sizes to suit players of all abilities.
The standard netball hoop height is 3.05 metres (9ft), which is the same as the height of a basketball hoop. However, some teachers choose to use a ring that is slightly shorter, which allows younger students to learn the basic skills of the game without getting frustrated by having to run up and down the court to get the ball into the hoop. For older pupils, or those who already have an advanced level of knowledge and skill, a lower hoop height can be more challenging and help to improve accuracy. For this reason, some schools opt for a lower hoop when they play against other schools or in tournaments. Alternatively, they can buy a hoop that is adjustable so that it can be set at different heights depending on the needs of individual groups of students. This allows them to practice with a variety of hoop heights and improve their overall performance.