A netball hoop is the target players shoot at to score. You will also hear it called a netball goal, a netball ring or a netball post — all four terms refer to the same piece of equipment.
It looks simple: a pole, a metal ring and a net. But every element of it is specified precisely, and those specifications shape how the game is played.
This guide explains what a netball hoop is made of, what the official measurements are, and why a basketball hoop cannot stand in for one.
What a Netball Hoop Is
Netball is played by two teams of seven, who score by shooting a ball through the opposing team’s ring. Only two players in each team — the goal shooter and goal attack — are allowed to shoot, and only from inside the goal circle.
The hoop sits on the goal line at each end of the court. There is one at each end, and teams change ends every quarter.
The whole assembly is officially called the goalpost. Under the rules, the ring and net are considered part of the goalpost, not separate items.
If you are new to the game entirely, our guide on how to play netball covers the positions, the court and the basic rules.
The Three Parts of a Netball Hoop
The post
A vertical metal pole, 3.05 metres high and between 65 and 100 millimetres in diameter. It is placed at the midpoint of the goal line, positioned so the back of the post sits at the outer edge of that line.
The post is either set into the ground or slotted into a sleeve beneath the floor, so it barely moves when a player collides with it.
The ring
A steel ring with an internal diameter of 380 millimetres, made from steel rod 15 millimetres thick.
It doesn’t attach directly to the post. A short horizontal bar, 150 millimetres long, projects from the front edge at the top of the pole, and the ring attaches to that. This holds the ring out into the goal circle and gives the net room to hang freely.
Importantly, there are no diagonal struts or arms running from the ring back down to the post. That keeps the full length of the pole clear for padding.
The net
Fitted to the ring, preferably white, and clearly visible. The net is open at both the top and the bottom, so the ball drops straight through rather than being caught.
Net length is specified between 380 and 457 millimetres.
Official Netball Goalpost Specification
Based on World Netball’s facilities and equipment standards.
| Component | Specification | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Post height | 3.05 m (10 ft) | The universal senior standard worldwide |
| Post diameter | 65–100 mm | Narrow enough to minimise obstruction in the circle |
| Ring internal diameter | 380 mm (15 in) | A size 5 ball is roughly 220 mm across, so the margin is tight |
| Ring material | Steel rod, 15 mm diameter | Consistent, predictable rebounds |
| Ring projection | 150 mm (6 in) horizontal bar from the front edge at the top of the pole | Holds the ring clear of the post so the net hangs freely |
| Net | Preferably white, open at top and bottom, 380–457 mm long | Open ends let the ball drop straight through so goals are clear |
| Padding | Uniform thickness, no more than 50 mm, full length of the pole | Players collide with the post in contested circle play |
| Position | At the midpoint of each goal line, back of the post at the outer edge of the line | Keeps the ring inside the goal circle and the court geometry true |
| Mounting | Inserted in the ground or sleeved beneath the floor | Minimal movement when knocked |
Note: there are no struts or arms running from the ring back down to the post. That keeps the full length of the pole free for padding.
Padding: The Part People Forget
The post sits on the goal line, right inside the busiest area of the court. Shooters back into it, defenders track through it, and players compete for rebounds directly underneath it.
For that reason, the pole is covered with padding of uniform thickness, no more than 50 millimetres thick, extending the full length of the pole.
The 50 millimetre ceiling matters. Padding that is too thick effectively widens the post and changes how players move around it, so it is capped rather than simply encouraged.
This is also why the ring has no support arms. Struts would interrupt the padding and create a hard point at shoulder or head height.
How Netball Hoops Differ From Basketball Hoops
The two are set at exactly the same height, which leads a lot of people to assume they are interchangeable. They aren’t.
A netball ring has no backboard. There is nothing to bank a shot off, so every attempt has to go cleanly through the ring. The netball ring is also smaller than a basketball ring, giving less margin for error.
The ring’s position differs too. A basketball hoop overhangs into the court from a backboard mounted behind the baseline. A netball ring projects from a post standing on the goal line itself, which is why players have to work around the post rather than under a backboard.
The practical consequence is a different shooting technique. Netball shooters use a high, soft arc so the ball drops close to vertically through the ring, maximising the effective size of the target. Our netball vs basketball comparison covers the wider differences between the two sports.
Netball Hoop vs Basketball Hoop
Same height, different equipment. The two are not interchangeable.
| Feature | Netball | Basketball |
|---|---|---|
| Ring height | 3.05 m | 3.05 m |
| Backboard | None | Yes |
| Ring internal diameter | 380 mm | Larger (450 mm) |
| Ring position | On the goal line, inside the court | Overhanging from behind the baseline |
| Net | Open at both ends | Open at both ends |
| Shot required | High arc, dropping near-vertically | Arc or bank shot off the board |
Because there is no backboard to bank off and the ring is smaller, netball shooters need a steeper, softer shot. A basketball hoop is not a substitute for netball practice.
Lower Hoops for Junior Players
Not every netball hoop stands at 3.05 metres.
Netball New Zealand’s Woolworths futureFERNS programme lowers the ring for younger players so they can develop a proper shooting action rather than heaving the ball upwards.
- Year 1 and 2: hula hoops held by parents, or posts set no higher than 2.1 metres
- Year 3 and 4: posts set between 2.1 and 2.6 metres, whichever gives players the best chance of scoring
- Year 5 and 6: 2.6 metre posts, played on a full court
- Year 7 and 8: the full 3.05 metre standard
Ball size scales alongside the hoop, from a 20 centimetre grip ball at Year 1 and 2 up to a size 5 at Year 7 and 8.
For a full breakdown by age group, see our dedicated guide to netball hoop height in New Zealand.
Types of Netball Post
Which post suits you depends entirely on where it is going.
Socketed posts slot into a permanent ground sleeve set into the court. Completely rigid and the standard for club and competition courts, but fixed in place.
Freestanding portable posts sit on a weighted base filled with sand or water. Ideal for schools, driveways and shared indoor spaces. The base must be filled to the manufacturer’s specified level — an underfilled base can topple.
Adjustable posts use a telescopic mechanism to change ring height, which suits schools and clubs running several age groups through the same courts. Check the locking collar periodically, since cheaper mechanisms can slip over a season.
If you are putting together a full kit rather than just a post, our guide to netball equipment in New Zealand covers balls, bibs, footwear and training gear.
Where the Hoop Sits on the Court
The goalpost’s position defines the scoring area around it.
The goal circle is a semicircle with a 4.9 metre radius, drawn from the midpoint of the goal line — which is exactly where the post stands. Only players inside that semicircle may shoot.
That geometry is why post placement is checked during court marking. A post set even slightly back into the run-off area shifts the relationship between the ring and the circle. Our guide to netball court dimensions sets out the full measurements.
Looking After a Netball Hoop
Most New Zealand netball is played outdoors, so weather is the main enemy.
Galvanised or powder-coated steel resists rust far better than untreated metal, particularly in coastal areas. The weld point where the ring meets the projection bar is the spot worth inspecting, since that joint carries the load every time a shot rebounds.
Nylon nets degrade under UV and eventually fray. Chain nets last much longer on exposed public courts, at the cost of a harsher look and sound.
Padding also has a service life. Once the foam compresses or the cover splits, it stops absorbing impact and needs replacing.
Reference Sources
- World Netball – Facilities and Equipment specifications
- World Netball – The Rules of Netball (2024 Edition)
- England Netball Knowledge Centre – Netball Posts
- Netball Victoria – Netball Compliance Fact Sheet, PDF
- Motu Kairangi Netball Centre – futureFERNS game rules and equipment
- Netball Wellington Centre – Woolworths futureFERNS Year 1–8 formats
- Netball Wairarapa – futureFERNS Year 3 & 4 equipment
- Net World Sports – Guide to netball posts
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is a netball hoop?
3.05 metres, or 10 feet, measured from the court surface. That applies to all senior, club and international netball. Junior grades in New Zealand use lower posts.
What size is a netball ring?
The internal diameter is 380 millimetres, and the ring is made from steel rod 15 millimetres thick. A size 5 netball is roughly 220 millimetres across, so the clearance is narrow.
Does a netball hoop have a backboard?
No. Netball rings are freestanding with no backboard, which is one of the main differences from basketball. Every shot must pass cleanly through the ring.
Can I use a basketball hoop for netball practice?
Not effectively. Basketball rings are wider and have a backboard behind them, so both the target size and the rebound behaviour differ. Shooting technique developed on a basketball hoop won’t transfer well.
Why is a netball post padded?
Because the post stands on the goal line inside the busiest part of the court, where players contest shots and rebounds. Padding is capped at 50 millimetres thick and runs the full length of the pole.
How far does the ring stick out from the post?
The ring attaches to a horizontal bar 150 millimetres long, projecting from the front edge at the top of the pole. This positions the ring inside the goal circle and lets the net hang clear.
What is a netball hoop called?
Several things, all meaning the same equipment: netball hoop, netball goal, netball ring or netball post. Officially it is the goalpost, and the ring and net count as part of it.
