A netball hoop looks simple: a pole, a ring and a net. But almost every part of it is specified down to the millimetre, and one feature — or rather, one missing feature — changes how the whole sport is played.
This guide covers what a netball hoop is made of, the official measurements, the heights used for junior netball in New Zealand, and what to look for if you are buying one.
What is a netball hoop?
A netball hoop is the scoring target at each end of a netball court. It is also called a netball goal, a netball post, or a goalpost — all four terms describe the same piece of equipment.
Netball is played by two teams of seven. Goals are scored by shooting the ball through the opposing team’s ring. Only two players in each team are allowed to shoot, and only from inside the goal circle. Our guide to netball positions explains who does what.
The most important thing to know: there is no backboard
In basketball, a backboard sits behind the ring and can deflect a near-miss in. Netball has nothing behind the ring at all.
The ring is attached to a horizontal metal bar 150mm long, projecting from the front edge at the top of the pole. That is the entire structure — pole, short arm, ring, net.
This is why netball shooters use a high, soft arc rather than a flat, powerful shot. There is no surface to bail out an inaccurate attempt, so the ball has to drop cleanly through. If you want to work on that, see our netball shooting drills guide.
The parts of a netball goalpost
Official netball goalpost specifications
| Part | Specification |
|---|---|
| Post height | 3.05 m (10 ft) to the top of the ring |
| Post diameter | 65–100 mm, round or square |
| Ring internal diameter | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Ring material | Steel rod, 15 mm thick |
| Ring projection | 150 mm horizontally from the front of the post |
| Net | Open at top and bottom, 380–457 mm long, preferably white |
| Padding | No more than 50 mm thick, full length of the post |
| Backboard | None — netball posts have no backboard |
| Position | Mid-point of the goal line, back of post at the outer edge of the line |
| Mounting | Inserted in the ground or sleeved beneath the floor |
The post
The post is a vertical metal pole between 65mm and 100mm in diameter and 3.05m high.
It is inserted into the ground or sleeved beneath the floor so that when it is knocked there is minimal movement and it stays stable.
Posts are usually painted white so they stand out against the court and crowd.
The ring
The ring is a curved horizontal metal ring made of steel rod 15mm in diameter, with an internal diameter of 380mm.
Two numbers matter here and they are easy to mix up:
- 380mm is the internal diameter — the size of the gap the ball goes through.
- 15mm is the thickness of the steel rod the ring itself is bent from.
For scale, a size 5 netball is roughly 220mm across. The ring is a little under twice the width of the ball, which is a much tighter target than it looks from the sideline.
The net
A net, preferably white, is fitted to the ring. It must be clearly visible and open at both the top and the bottom, with a minimum length of 380mm and a maximum of 457mm.
Being open at the bottom matters for pace of play — the ball drops straight through and back into play rather than being caught.
Official netball hoop measurements
Height and position
The ring sits 3.05m above the floor, measured to the top of the ring, not the top of the post.
A goalpost is placed at the mid-point of each goal line so the back of the pole is at the outer edge of the goal line. Because court lines are 50mm wide and posts are 65–100mm in diameter, the pole ends up overlapping the court by 15–50mm.
In other words, the post stands slightly inside the playing area, not behind it. Players work around it, and shooters routinely use the space directly under and behind the ring.
On a regulation 15.25m-wide court, the centre of the pole sits 7.625m from each sideline. Full court measurements are in our netball court dimensions guide.
Padding and safety
The pole is covered with padding of uniform thickness, no more than 50mm thick, extending the full length of the pole.
Padding is a genuine safety requirement rather than a cosmetic extra. Defenders and shooters contest the ball within a metre of the post at speed, and collisions with an unpadded pole cause avoidable injuries.
The base of a goalpost should not encroach onto the court itself, and on dedicated netball courts only socketed posts should be used.
Junior hoop heights in New Zealand
Full-height 3.05m posts are not used across all junior grades here. Netball New Zealand’s Woolworths futureFERNS programme uses lower hoops and smaller balls so younger players can actually score.
Hoop heights by year group (Woolworths futureFERNS)
| Year group | Hoop height | Ball | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1–2 | Hula hoop or post no higher than 2.1 m | 20 cm grip ball | 4 v 4, one third of the court |
| Year 3–4 | 2.6 m | Size 4 | 5 v 5, two thirds of the court |
| Year 5–6 | 2.6 m | Size 4 | 6 v 6, full court |
| Senior | 3.05 m | Size 5 | 7 v 7, full court |
A Year 5 & 6 format update takes effect from 2027. The 2.6 m hoop height is unchanged.
Year 1 and 2 players use hula hoops held by parents, or goalposts set no higher than 2.1m, to increase the likelihood of success. Year 3 and 4 play a modified 5 v 5 game over two-thirds of the court using a size 4 ball and 2.6m goals. Year 5 and 6 play 6 v 6 on a full court with 2.6m goalposts and a size 4 netball.
Netball New Zealand has confirmed an update to the Year 5 and 6 game format taking effect from 2027, but the hoop height stays at 2.6m throughout Year 5 and Year 6, including when 7 v 7 is introduced. Nothing changes in 2026.
For the full breakdown by year group, see our netball hoop height guide.
How scoring works at the hoop
A goal counts only when the ball passes completely through the ring, and only when the shot is taken by the goal shooter or goal attack with both feet inside the goal circle.
If the ball hits the ring and stays in play, it is live — any player allowed in that area can contest the rebound.
The two-point shot
Standard netball awards one point per goal. Several professional leagues now award two for long-range attempts.
Netball New Zealand introduced a two-point shot to the ANZ Premiership in 2025, active in the final five minutes of each quarter. In the ANZ Premiership the shooter must be at least 3.5 metres from the goalpost for the shot to count double, the same as Fast5, while Suncorp Super Netball and the UK competition set the zone at three metres.
This does not change the hoop itself — the equipment is identical. It is a marked zone on the court. Our netball rules guide covers the rest of the current rule set, and the ANZ Championship page has background on the domestic league.
Choosing a netball hoop
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Ring size and gauge | 380 mm internal diameter in 15 mm steel is the regulation standard — undersized practice rings change how shots feel |
| Height | 3.05 m for seniors; adjustable posts suit clubs running several age groups |
| Mounting type | Socketed or in-ground for club courts; portable bases for driveways and training only |
| Stability | The post is contested at close range and must barely move when knocked |
| Padding | Required for match and training use, max 50 mm thick, full length of the post |
| Weather resistance | Outdoor posts need galvanised or treated steel to survive year-round NZ conditions |
| Net condition | Must be open at both ends and clearly visible; nets perish faster than posts and are cheap to replace |
There are three broad mounting types, and the right one depends entirely on where it is going.
Socketed posts drop into a permanent ground socket and can be lifted out when the court is used for something else. This is the standard for club and school courts.
In-ground posts are set permanently, usually in concrete. The most stable option, and the least flexible.
Portable posts use a weighted or wheeled base. Practical for driveways, halls and training, but the base sits on the court surface, which is why they are not used for regulation matches.
Adjustable-height posts let you lower the ring for junior players, which is useful if the same post serves several age groups.
If you are kitting out a team more broadly, our netball equipment guide covers balls, bibs and training gear.
What to check
For competition use, the ring must be 380mm internal diameter in 15mm steel, the post 65–100mm in diameter, and the ring 3.05m from the floor. Anything outside that is a training or recreational post, which is fine as long as you know that going in.
Beyond the specifications, weather resistance matters for anything living outdoors year-round, and stability matters most of all — a post that shifts when knocked is both a poor training tool and a hazard.
This article is provided for factual and informational purposes only and is not purchasing or safety advice. Specifications and junior formats are set by the governing bodies and can change between seasons — check the current rules at World Netball and Netball New Zealand before buying equipment for competition use. Details on this page were verified in August 2026.
Reference sources
- North Canterbury Netball Centre — official website
- Want to play netball: grades, days and venues — NCNC
- Year 7 & 8 competition information and season dates — NCNC
- Year 5 & 6 draw and court duty requirements — NCNC
- Open grade and senior representative fixtures — NCNC
- Centre contacts and committee — NCNC
- Woolworths futureFERNS — Netball New Zealand
- Facilities, equipment and uniform requirements — World Netball
- NetballSmart — Netball New Zealand injury prevention programme
- NetballSmart and ACL injury data — ACC
Frequently asked questions
How high is a netball hoop?
A senior netball hoop is 3.05 metres (10 feet) high, measured from the floor to the top of the ring. Junior grades in New Zealand use lower posts, commonly 2.1m for Year 1 and 2 and 2.6m for Years 3 to 6.
What size is a netball ring?
The ring has an internal diameter of 380mm and is made from steel rod 15mm thick. It projects 150mm horizontally from the top of the post.
Does a netball hoop have a backboard?
No. There is no backboard in netball. The ring attaches to a short horizontal bar at the top of the post, with nothing behind it, which is why shooters rely on a high arc rather than bouncing the ball off a board.
Is a netball hoop the same as a basketball hoop?
They are the same height, but not the same equipment. A netball ring is smaller than a basketball ring, has no backboard, and is mounted on a padded pole standing at the edge of the court rather than on a frame set back from it.
Where is the netball post placed on the court?
At the mid-point of each goal line, positioned so the back of the pole is at the outer edge of the line. This means the post slightly overlaps the playing area, and players can move behind and around it.
Do netball posts have to be padded?
Yes, for match and training use. Padding must be of uniform thickness, no more than 50mm thick, and must extend the full length of the pole.
What ball size goes with a junior hoop?
Junior grades using 2.6m posts play with a size 4 netball. Year 1 and 2 players use a 20cm textured grip ball. Size 5 is the adult match ball.
