Basketball vs. Netball — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Basketball is a game played with two teams of five, aiming to shoot a ball into the opponent's hoop, while Netball involves two teams of seven, passing the ball to score by throwing it into a high net.
Difference Between Basketball and Netball
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Basketball and Netball are both popular team sports, played with a ball on a rectangular court. While they share similarities in their objective, which is to score points by getting the ball into a goal, their rules, gameplay, and equipment show notable differences.
In Basketball, teams consist of five active players on the court from each side, with the primary goal being to dribble and shoot the ball into the opponent's hoop. The iconic orange ball used in Basketball is larger and is frequently dribbled. In contrast, Netball prohibits dribbling, emphasizing passing and shooting.
Netball teams feature seven players, each with specific positions and responsibilities, ranging from attacking to defending. Unlike Basketball, where players can traverse the entire court, Netball players have restricted zones based on their assigned positions.
Comparison Chart
Team Members
5 active players on the court.
7 active players on the court.
Ball Movement
Dribbling allowed.
No dribbling; only passing.
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Court Design
Contains three-point line, free-throw line, and key area.
Divided into thirds with shooting circles.
Player Movement
Players can move across the entire court.
Players have designated zones.
Global Popularity
Internationally popular with leagues like NBA.
Predominantly popular in Commonwealth countries.
Compare with Definitions
Basketball
Played on a rectangular court with a raised hoop at each end.
The Basketball court was freshly painted and ready for the tournament.
Netball
A team sport where players pass a ball and shoot it into a high net.
The Netball championship attracted teams from various regions.
Basketball
A team sport where players shoot a ball into a hoop.
He scored thirty points in the Basketball game last night.
Netball
Popular in Commonwealth countries with national leagues.
Australia and New Zealand have a fierce Netball rivalry.
Basketball
Features dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.
She showcased her Basketball prowess with impressive dribbling.
Netball
Involves no dribbling; emphasizes passing to advance the ball.
The fluid Netball passing between players was a sight to behold.
Basketball
Has professional leagues globally, like the NBA.
He dreams of playing Basketball in the NBA someday.
Netball
Played on a court divided into thirds with specific zones.
The center is the only Netball player allowed in all three court zones.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately 9.4 inches (24 cm) in diameter) through the defender's hoop (a basket 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter mounted 10 feet (3.048 m) high to a backboard at each end of the court) while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their own hoop. A field goal is worth two points, unless made from behind the three-point line, when it is worth three.
Netball
Played with seven players each having designated positions.
In Netball, she plays the position of a wing attack.
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.
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played by two teams of seven players. Netball is most popular in many Commonwealth nations and according to the INF, netball is played by more than 20 million people in more than 80 countries.
Basketball
The inflated, spherical ball used in this game.
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.
Basketball
A sport in which two opposing teams of five players strive to put a ball through a hoop.
Netball
(countable) The ball used in this sport.
Basketball
(countable) The particular kind of ball used in the sport of basketball. Basketball
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
Basketball
To play basketball
Basketball
To throw in a similar way to when shooting a basketball
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.
Basketball
The inflatable ball used in the game of basketball.
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
Basketball
An inflated ball used in playing basketball
Basketball
Requires both offensive and defensive strategies.
Their Basketball team's defense was as strong as their offense.
Common Curiosities
And in Netball?
Netball has seven active players on the court.
How many players are in a Basketball team?
There are five active players on the court.
What are Basketball and Netball?
Both are team sports aimed at scoring by getting a ball into a goal.
Can you dribble in Netball?
No, dribbling is not allowed in Netball.
How high is a Basketball hoop?
It's 10 feet from the ground.
Which sport allows three-point shots?
Basketball has a three-point shooting rule.
What's the objective in both sports?
To score points by getting the ball into the opponent's goal.
Can men play Netball?
Yes, while traditionally female-dominated, there are men's and mixed Netball teams.
How are the courts different?
Basketball courts have specific markings like the three-point line, while Netball courts are divided into thirds.
Where is Netball especially popular?
It's predominantly popular in Commonwealth countries.
Which sport has zones for players?
Netball has specific zones for player positions.
How is player movement restricted in Netball?
Players have specific zones they can't move out of based on their positions.
Is defense important in both sports?
Yes, both Basketball and Netball require strong defensive strategies.
Which sport is known for its global league, the NBA?
Basketball is home to the NBA.
Do both sports use the same ball?
No, Basketball uses a larger, typically orange ball, while Netball's is smaller.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
