Netball Footwork Rules Explained: Landing, Pivoting and Common Mistakes

In netball, once you receive the ball, what you can do next depends on how you land. 

If one foot lands first, that becomes your landing foot. You can pivot on it, but once it is lifted, the ball must be passed or shot before that foot touches the ground again. If both feet land together, you can choose which foot becomes the pivot foot. Project Cerberus 

That is the rule. 

The more useful coaching question is what happens before the whistle. 

Most footwork mistakes happen before the pass. 

A player receives slightly off balance. The landing foot is unclear. The pivot starts too early. Then the next pass feels rushed. 

The fix is rarely “move faster”. 

It is usually land better first. 

Key Takeaways 

World Netball’s current Rule 13 sets out the permitted movements for both one-foot and two-foot landings. Project Cerberus 

What’s on This Page 

What Is the Footwork Rule in Netball? 

The easiest way to understand the rule is to stop thinking of it as “you cannot move your feet”. 

You can. 

The rule determines which foot controls the movement after possession. 

If you land on one foot first 

That foot becomes the landing foot. 

You may put the second foot down and move it in any direction. You may also pivot on the landing foot and reposition the second foot multiple times. 

The landing foot can eventually be lifted, but you must pass or shoot before it touches the ground again. Project Cerberus 

If you land on both feet together 

You may step with either foot. 

Once you do, the other foot effectively becomes the pivot foot. You can pivot around it and reposition the moving foot, but if the pivot foot is lifted, the ball must be released before that foot is regrounded. Project Cerberus 

For a coach, that is where the rule becomes useful. 

Do not just ask: 

“Was that footwork?” 

Ask: 

“What happened in the landing that caused the footwork?” 

One-Foot Landing: Quick Reference 

Imagine a player drives towards the ball, catches it in the air and lands on the right foot first. 

The right foot is now the landing foot. 

These options come directly from World Netball’s one-foot landing rule. Project Cerberus 

Coaching cue 

Instead of shouting: 

“Don’t step!” 

Try: 

“Catch. Find the landing foot. Then move.” 

That gives the player something useful to correct. 

Two-Foot Landing: More Choice, Same Control 

A player who catches the ball with both feet already grounded, or lands on both feet simultaneously, has more choice. 

They can step with either foot. 

Once one foot moves, the other becomes the foot around which the player can pivot. If that pivot foot is lifted, the ball must be released before it is regrounded. Project Cerberus 

That makes a balanced two-foot landing useful under pressure. 

The player can receive square to the court, scan, then choose which direction to open. 

A simple coaching cue is: 

Land square. See both sides. Then choose. 

The mistake is often not breaking the rule immediately. It is landing so poorly that the player has only one usable option. 

Can You Pivot in Netball? 

Yes. 

A pivot in netball is the movement where a player keeps the landing or pivot foot as the base while stepping with the other foot to change body position and passing angle. 

Under World Netball’s Rule 13, the non-pivot foot can step in any direction one or more times while the player pivots on the grounded foot. The pivot foot may then be lifted, but the player must pass or shoot before that foot touches the ground again. Project Cerberus 

So a pivot is not simply “turning around”. 

Its purpose is to create a better next action. 

A good pivot can: 

England Netball’s player-development framework specifically links balanced landing with seeing forward options, retaining possession and playing at pace. Centro de Ayuda England Netball 

That is why the best pivot is not necessarily the fastest. 

It is the one that gives the player a better decision. 

The Landing Comes Before the Pivot 

This is the part players often try to skip. 

They receive the ball and immediately think about the turn. 

But if the landing is unstable, the pivot starts from a poor position. 

One unstable landing can create: 

England Netball’s landing resources place strong emphasis on controlling lower-body position during take-off and landing, including avoiding excessive forward weight, poor knee alignment and unbalanced loading. England Netball 

So when a player is struggling with the pivot: 

The fix is not “pivot faster.” The fix is usually land better first. 

5 Common Netball Footwork Mistakes 

1. Forgetting the Landing Foot 

This usually happens when the catch is difficult or the player is already looking for the next pass. 

They receive, lose track of the first foot down and then move both feet. 

Fix 

Slow the drill down until the player can call out: 

“Right” or “Left” 

as they land. 

Then add the pass. 

2. Landing Too Upright or Off Balance 

Being technically inside the rule does not mean the player is in a good position. 

A stiff or unstable landing makes the next movement harder. 

Fix 

Look for: 

The player should look ready to make another action, not like they are recovering from the first one. 

3. Pivoting Before the Catch Is Secure 

Some players begin turning while the ball is still arriving. 

That often leads to poor catches and unnecessary foot movement. 

Fix 

Use this sequence: 

Secure. Land. Open. 

Not: 

Turn and hope the ball comes with you. 

4. Taking a Recovery Step 

A wide receive pulls the player off balance. 

The landing foot comes up, then instinctively touches down again. 

Whistle. 

Fix 

Do not only practise perfect straight feeds. 

Give players balls slightly left, right and in front so they learn to control awkward receives without needing an extra step. 

5. Looking for the Pass Before Controlling the Feet 

Fast players often do this. 

They are already searching for the next option before the landing is finished. 

The intention is right. The sequence is wrong. 

Fix 

Do not remove the scanning. 

Train it together with the landing. 

The player should learn to receive with their eyes up while still controlling the first contact with the floor. 

A Better Coaching Sequence 

Instead of treating footwork as a single skill, coach the sequence: 

Receive → Land → Stabilise → Scan → Pivot → Release 

For younger players, make it even simpler: 

Catch. Land. Look. Move. 

It gives them a routine they can repeat when the game gets faster. 

3 Simple Footwork Drills 

Drill 1: Catch, Land, Hold 

Purpose: landing control. 

Set-up 

Place the feeder and receiver around 3 metres apart. 

Mark the receiver’s starting point with a cone. 

The receiver drives approximately 2 metres forward, receives the pass and holds the landing position for two seconds. 

They then return the ball to the feeder and reset. 

Coach watches for 

Kit 

Progression 

Once the player can land consistently, remove the two-second hold. 

Then add a decision: the coach points left or right after the catch and the player must pivot that way before returning the pass. 

Drill 2: Receive and Pivot 

Purpose: opening passing angles while staying balanced. 

Set-up 

Place one receiving cone 3 metres in front of the feeder. 

From the receiving cone, place: 

Position both target cones at approximately a 45-degree angle from the receiver. 

The player drives to the middle cone and receives the ball. 

After landing, they pivot towards the left or right target before passing. 

Alternate sides. 

Kit 

Coach watches for 

The goal is not to spin quickly. 

It is to create a passing angle without losing the base. 

Coaching cue 

Land first. Open second. 

Drill 3: Pressure Receive 

Purpose: keeping legal footwork when a defender removes time and space. 

Set-up 

Place: 

The receiver drives for the pass. 

The defender begins at around 50% pressure. 

The receiver must: 

Progression 

Increase defensive pressure gradually. 

Do not go straight from no defender to full match pressure. 

The technique needs to survive each stage. 

Kit 

Why Shoes Matter for Netball Footwork 

Poor footwear makes good footwork harder to repeat. 

Netball asks players to brake, land, pivot, accelerate and push laterally over and over again. 

If the shoe does not give the player enough lateral stability or reliable court grip, those movements become harder to control as the pace rises. 

England Netball treats landing mechanics as an important part of both performance and lower-limb injury-risk reduction. England Netball 

For netball movement, look for: 

That is also why using a generic running shoe for repeated netball movement can be a compromise. 

Running footwear is generally optimised around forward movement. Netball repeatedly demands braking and movement across multiple directions. 

Two Netball Shoes We Recommend for Footwork and Court Movement 

Prices below are the HiPro Netball prices available at the time of writing and can change. 

adidas Netcourt Elite Women Netball Shoes – £125.95 

The adidas Netcourt Elite is a strong choice for players who want a secure, cushioned shoe for quick starts, stops and pivots. 

The BOOST midsole adds responsive cushioning, while the stabilising heel-strap and inner sock construction are designed to improve lockdown. Underfoot, the multidirectional traction pattern includes a pivot point and is designed for both indoor and outdoor netball courts. HiProNetball 

Best for: 

Players who train and compete regularly and want cushioning plus strong multidirectional traction. 

Court type: 

Indoor and outdoor netball courts. HiProNetball 

Why we like it for footwork: 

The combination of heel lockdown, multidirectional grip and a dedicated pivot point suits players repeatedly working through stops and changes of direction. HiProNetball 

Probably not for: 

Players specifically looking for a lower-priced entry-level shoe or the lightest, most minimal court feel. 

Mizuno Wave Momentum Pro Women Netball Shoes – £84.95 

The Mizuno Wave Momentum Pro takes a more stability-led approach. 

It is built around cushioning, support and control, making it an interesting option for players who value a planted feel when landing and changing direction. HiPro Netball currently lists it at £84.95. HiProNetball 

Best for: 

Players who want more cushioning and stability through repeated landings and lateral court movement. 

Court type: 

Court-based netball training and match play. 

Why we like it for footwork: 

It suits the player who wants the shoe to feel supportive underneath them rather than extremely minimal. 

Probably not for: 

A player whose first priority is the lightest possible shoe and a stripped-back court feel. 

A Lighter Alternative: ASICS GEL-NETBURNER ACADEMY 10 – £89.95 

If you prefer something lighter and more flexible, the ASICS GEL-NETBURNER ACADEMY 10 is currently listed at £89.95. 

It uses FLYTEFOAM cushioning, a secure eyelet system and forefoot flex grooves, and is positioned for competitive netball players looking for agile court movement. HiProNetball 

This is worth considering for players who want support without the more substantial feel of a stability-focused shoe. 

Coach’s Footwork Checklist 

Before increasing the speed or pressure of a footwork drill, check: 

If the first few answers are no, adding more speed usually makes the problem worse. 

Control first. Pressure second. 

FAQs About Netball Footwork 

What is the footwork rule in netball? 

The footwork rule determines how a player can move after receiving the ball. 

If a player lands on one foot first, that foot becomes the landing foot. They can step with the other foot and pivot around the landing foot. The landing foot may be lifted, but the ball must be passed or shot before it is regrounded. 

If the player lands on both feet simultaneously, they can step with either foot, with the other becoming the pivot foot. Project Cerberus 

Can you pivot in netball? 

Yes. 

A player can pivot by keeping the landing or pivot foot as their base while stepping with the other foot in any direction. 

The moving foot can be repositioned multiple times. 

The pivot foot may also eventually be lifted, but once lifted, the player must release the ball before that foot touches the ground again. Project Cerberus 

Can you lift your landing foot in netball? 

Yes. 

The landing foot can be lifted. 

The important part is what happens next: the ball must be passed or shot before that foot is regrounded. Project Cerberus 

Can you land on two feet in netball? 

Yes. 

A player can receive the ball with both feet grounded or land on both feet simultaneously. 

They can then step with either foot and use the other as the pivot foot, subject to the same rule about releasing the ball before an already lifted pivot foot is regrounded. Project Cerberus 

What happens if you step in netball? 

An infringement of Rule 13 is sanctioned with a free pass to the opposing team. Project Cerberus 

Why do players get called for footwork? 

Often it is not because they do not understand that stepping is illegal. 

The error usually comes earlier. 

They receive off balance, lose track of the landing foot or use an extra step to recover. 

That is why landing practice is so useful. 

How do beginners practise footwork? 

Start without defensive pressure. 

Practise: 

catch → land → identify the landing foot → pivot → pass 

Once that is consistent, introduce wider feeds, faster movement and finally a defender. 

Do not rush to match speed before the landing is reliable. 

Final Thoughts 

Footwork is not just about avoiding the umpire’s whistle. 

It affects what happens next. 

A balanced landing gives the player time to scan. 

A controlled pivot creates another passing angle. 

A stable base makes it easier to protect the ball. 

And when the game speeds up, those small details become much harder to fake. 

For players, start with the landing. 

For coaches, look at what happened before the infringement. 

And if a player keeps struggling to stay stable despite good technique, look at what is happening underneath their feet too. 

The fix is not always “pivot faster.” Sometimes the fix is land better first. 

Explore netball shoes, balls and training equipment at HiProNetball.com.