How to Score a Netball Game - 7 aside

Scoring a netball game is a simple job once you know a few basics.  Have a read through this information to learn more.  There is a document attached below that may also help you.

BEFORE THE GAME

A scorer from each team should stand/sit together as the official score is the one recorded on the card.  The umpire will check how many registered players there are for each team and mark under that list so that no further players can be added during the game.  You will note on the card which team is Odds and which is Evens (see below).

ODDS AND EVENS - who has the next centre pass?

A system called 'Odds and Evens' is used to keep track of which team has the centre pass during the game so that there are a fair number of turns for each team.

The team that has the first pass is going to be 'EVENS' and this is marked on the scorecard as 'E'.  They are evens because the score of 0-0 adds up to 0 which is counted as an even number.  They will take the centre pass each time the score adds up to an even number.

The team that does not have the first pass is going to be 'ODDS' and this is marked on the scorecard as 'O'.  They are odds as when it is their turn for a Centre pass the score will add up to an odd number.

Odds and Evens can change at quarter times to ensure that fair turns are taken - see next section.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A BREAK?

Circle the last goal scored for each team and write these numbers into the boxes on the scorecard.  There are four spaces as you will do this at 1/4 time, 1/2 time, 3/4 time and full time.  The numbers written in the boxes are the up to date total score for each team for the game so far.  (you would not write 2 if the team scored two goals in the third quarter, you would write their total score of, for example, 8)

We need to keep the turns at Centre pass fair.  This means that if a team has taken their turn at the centre pass but not yet scored, they have still had their turn and we need to switch which team is odds and which team is evens for the next quarter so that the other team have the first pass after the break. 

In most games the ball is in play when the whistle is blown for a break and odds and evens will be swapped over.  There are a few sayings to help remember this like 'if it's in play, swap it away' or 'loose change' as the ball is loose/in use you need to change it over.

If a goal was just scored and the next centre pass has not been taken when the whistle goes for a break, then there is no need to swap odds and evens over as it is still the right way around and the team due to take a pass will take it after the break.

HOW DO I MARK THE GOALS SCORED?

The umpire will indicate that a goal is scored by raising their arm.  Wait for the umpire to confirm a goal before marking it off as sometimes the goal won't count if the umpire has called an infringement just prior, or if the ball has not passed through the ring at the final whistle.  A penalty shot can be attempted after the time is up and will still count if succesful.

Check that you are marking a goal for the correct team (you can make a note on the card of bib colour if it is confusing).

Put a diagonal line through the number of the goal scored.  You will also circle the final goal scored in each quarter to keep a record of the quarterly scores.

WHAT IF THE PASS IS NOT TAKEN BY THE RIGHT TEAM?

Sometimes the umpires will accidentally indicate the pass to be taken by the wrong team.  You can tell which team should have the pass by adding the scores for each team together and noting if the total is an odd or an even number.  Let the umpire on your side know immediately if you notice an issue.  The umpires may also sometimes ask for your confirmation of team has the next pass.

WHAT DO I DO WITH THE CARD AT THE END OF THE GAME?

Before rushing the card back to the office/desk it is a courtesy to check that both teams have ticked the players that have taken the court for their team first.  The umpires need to check the card and sign it and may be happy to return it, or you could once it's all sorted.