Difference Between Netball & Soccer

Netball and soccer are two very different sports, although both are predominantly played by women, in the United States at least. Certain aspects of the games are similar. Both games share a common aim, for example, in that teams win by scoring goals in a net defended by their opponents while both pit one team against the other. The winner is the team that scores the highest number of goals. However, in virtually all other aspects, the games are very different.

Playing Area

Netball courts are much smaller than their soccer equivalents. A netball court measures 100 feet long by 50 wide and is divided into three equally-sized sections. At each end, a semi-circle with a radius of 16 feet surrounds the goal net. In contrast, a soccer field measures a minimum 100 yards in length and is at least 50 yards wide. The field is made up of two equally sized halves, with a penalty area measuring 36 yards wide by 18 yards deep in front of the goal. Netball goal nets consist of a circular ring with a 15 inch diameter, held on a vertical pole 10 feet high. Soccer goals are a rectangular frame measuring 8 yards across and 8 feet high.

Timing

A game of netball is played over a total of 60 minutes, but this time is divided into four periods of 15 minutes. Players take an interval of three minutes between the first and second and third and fourth quarters, while there is a break of either five or ten minutes at half time. Soccer, on the other hand, is played over a total of 90 minutes, split into two halves of 45 minutes each, with an interval between the two halves lasting a maximum of 15 minutes.

Teams

In netball, only seven players can be on the court at any one time, although teams can use up to 12 players in a game. The on-court positions are strictly defined. Goal Keeper (GK), Goal Defense (GD) and Wing Defense (WD) attempt to stop the opposition scoring. Center (C) and Wing Attack (WA) link defense and attack, while Goal Attack (GA) and Goal Shooter (GS) attempt to score goals. Soccer teams field 11 players with considerably more flexibility in different roles. Each team can also name up to seven substitute players, although only three can be used. Every team will have one goalkeeper, who is the only player permitted to touch the ball with his hands. In front of the goalkeeper are usually four defenders; three, four or five midfield players; and either three or four attackers; the numbers of midfield and attackers vary according to the tactical strategy chosen by the team coach.

Playing The Game

Netball is a very fast-moving game as the ball is thrown quickly between the players. Once a player catches the ball, she can only take one step before she must pass to another player. Players are also restricted in their movements around the court by the position they’re playing; for example, a Goal Shooter cannot move outside her team’s attacking third of the court. In contrast, soccer players can go anywhere they want on the pitch – Brazilian goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni is famous for his goalscoring exploits and scored his one hundredth career goal in March 2011. The players move the ball around the field with their feet or heads. Opposition soccer players can tackle the team in possession to win the ball back, whereas netball is strictly non-contact and opposition players must stand at least three feet from the player with the ball.