Common netball rotations worked out
These are the splits for some of the squad sizes that come up most often. Your own numbers go in the calculator above.
| Squad | On at once | Game length | Time on | Time on bench |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 players | 7 | 48 min | 37m 20s | 10m 40s |
| 10 players | 7 | 60 min | 42 min | 18 min |
| 12 players | 7 | 60 min | 35 min | 25 min |
| 8 players | 7 | 40 min | 35 min | 5 min |
Netball formats and squad sizes
| Format | Typical game length | Typical squad |
|---|---|---|
| Net Set Go / juniors | 4 x 8-10 min quarters | 8-10 |
| Junior domestic | 4 x 10-12 min quarters | 9-12 |
| Senior domestic | 4 x 12-15 min quarters | 10-12 |
| Representative | 4 x 15 min quarters | 10-12 |
Game lengths vary between associations and age groups, so treat these as a starting point and use your own competition's numbers.
Why netball rotations need planning by the quarter
Because you are generally locked in for the quarter, a squad of 9 with 7 on court means 2 players sit out each quarter. Over four quarters that's 8 bench slots to distribute across 9 players, so somebody misses out unless you plan it across more than one game.
That uneven remainder is the single most common complaint in junior netball, and it's the reason the maths is worth doing in advance rather than at the game. If your squad size doesn't divide neatly into the number of quarters, write down who sat out this week and start next week's rotation from there.
Netball Australia encourages juniors to play all seven positions across a season rather than being locked into one. Fair court time and position rotation are two separate problems; this calculator solves the time one, and your position plan sits on top of it.
Questions coaches ask
How do I rotate 9 players in netball?
With 7 on court and 4 quarters you have 28 player-quarters to hand out across 9 players. That's 3 quarters each with one left over, so one player gets an extra quarter. Track who it is week to week so it evens out over the season.
Can you substitute mid quarter in netball?
In most competitions substitutions are only allowed at quarter or half time breaks, or for injury. Check your association's rules, because some junior grades are more relaxed. Either way, planning the rotation before the game is the safest approach.
How much court time should junior netballers get?
Most junior associations set a minimum, often at least half the game. The calculator shows you the exact split so you can check you are meeting your competition's requirement.
Does the calculator handle position rotation?
It works out fair court time, not positions. Use it to decide who is on each quarter, then allocate positions on top so players get a spread of GS through GK across the season.
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