Basketball vs. Netball: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Basketball is a fast-paced game played on a rectangular court with dribbling, while netball is a no-dribble, passing game with seven players per team on a rectangular court.
Key Differences
In basketball, players dribble and move freely across the entire court. In netball, players are restricted to certain areas and must pass the ball without dribbling.
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Dec 04, 2023
Basketball uses a single hoop at each end of the court, with players scoring through shooting from various distances. Netball also has hoops but without backboards, and only certain players are designated to score.
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Dec 04, 2023
Basketball teams consist of five players with flexible roles. Netball teams have seven players, each with specific positions and roles on the court.
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Dec 04, 2023
Basketball allows more physical contact and defensive strategies. Netball is stricter about physical contact, emphasizing interception over physical defense.
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Dec 04, 2023
Basketball games are typically faster-paced with a longer duration, while netball games are shorter but require swift passing and strategic positioning.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Player Movement
Dribbling allowed, free movement
No dribbling, positional restrictions
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Physical Contact
More physical contact allowed
Limited physical contact, focus on interception
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Basketball and Netball Definitions
Basketball
A game where two teams of five players compete to score points.
The basketball team practiced daily to improve their teamwork.
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Nov 25, 2023
Netball
A game played on a rectangular court with a ball and hoops but no backboard.
She scored the winning goal in the netball match from near the circle edge.
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Nov 25, 2023
Basketball
A sport involving dribbling, passing, and shooting a ball into a hoop.
Learning to dribble effectively is a key skill in basketball.
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Nov 25, 2023
Netball
A team sport with seven players, focusing on passing and shooting.
Their netball team won the championship with excellent passing skills.
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Nov 25, 2023
Basketball
A team sport played on a rectangular court with a ball and two hoops.
He scored the winning point in the last second of the basketball game.
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Nov 25, 2023
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Netball
A sport emphasizing precision, teamwork, and strategic movement.
Netball requires precise passing and good team coordination.
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Basketball
A sport known for its fast pace and high scoring.
The basketball match was exciting, with many fast breaks and dunks.
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Nov 25, 2023
Netball
A popular sport especially in Commonwealth countries, played predominantly by women.
Netball is a leading women's sport in several countries.
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Basketball
A widely popular sport played professionally and recreationally.
Basketball tournaments attract players and fans from around the world.
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Nov 25, 2023
Netball
A sport where players have designated positions and areas of play.
As a wing attack in netball, her role was to feed the ball to the shooters.
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Nov 25, 2023
Basketball
A game played between two teams of five players each, the object being to throw a ball through an elevated basket on the opponent's side of a rectangular court. Players may move the ball by dribbling or passing with the hands.
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Oct 19, 2023
Netball
(uncountable) A (usually women's) team sport derived from basketball, with seven players on each side who attempt to score goals by passing a ball and throwing it into the opponent's goal, which is a raised hoop with a net at one end of the playing area. Unlike basketball, a player in possession of the ball cannot move until the ball is passed to another player.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basketball
A sport in which two opposing teams of five players strive to put a ball through a hoop.
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Oct 19, 2023
Netball
A team game that resembles basketball; a soccer ball is to be thrown so that it passes through a ring on the top of a post
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Oct 19, 2023
Basketball
(countable) The particular kind of ball used in the sport of basketball. Basketball
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Basketball
A ball game, usually played indoors in an area called the basketball court, in which two opposing teams of five players each contest with each other to toss a large inflated ball (the basketball) into opposite goals (baskets) resembling baskets, each typically a cylindrical mesh suspended from a circular rim which is held ten feet above the court. A goal scored by passing the basketball through the basket may count from one to three points, depending on the situation in which it was thrown.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basketball
A game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the basketball through an elevated horizontal hoop
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is basketball?
A team sport played on a rectangular court where the objective is to shoot a ball through the opponent's hoop.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is netball?
A team sport similar to basketball, but players are restricted to certain areas of the court and there's no dribbling.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is dribbling allowed in basketball?
Yes, dribbling is a fundamental part of basketball.
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Can basketball be played mixed-gender?
Informally, yes. Officially, it's usually single-gender.
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Are netball players restricted in movement?
Yes, players have designated court areas.
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What is the hoop size in basketball?
A standard hoop is 18 inches in diameter.
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How many players are on a netball team?
Seven players per team on the court.
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Can basketball players move freely on the court?
Yes, they can move across the entire court.
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Dec 04, 2023
How many players are on a basketball team?
Typically, five players on the court per team.
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How is scoring done in basketball?
Points are awarded for shooting the ball into the hoop, varying from one to three points.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is dribbling allowed in netball?
No, players must pass the ball without moving their pivot foot.
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Dec 04, 2023
How long is a basketball game?
Varies by league, typically around 48 minutes in the NBA, divided into quarters.
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Dec 04, 2023
How long is a netball game?
Usually 60 minutes, divided into four 15-minute quarters.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is the netball hoop the same as basketball?
Yes, but without the backboard.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is physical contact allowed in basketball?
Limited contact is allowed but heavily regulated.
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Dec 04, 2023
What's the primary skill in basketball?
Dribbling, shooting, and strategic plays.
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Dec 04, 2023
What's the primary skill in netball?
Accurate passing and strategic positioning.
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Dec 04, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
