The good old toss up! It’s gone!
A toss up was previously used if an infringement occurred simultaneously. However, due to improved umpire education and training, the use of toss ups has become much less frequent, and umpires are instead, correctly, penalising the infringement that occurred first. This means that the skill of the toss up has been lost for both players and umpires
What Now?
If a simultaneous infringement occurs the umpire awards possession to the team that was last in possession of the ball, where the ball was when play stopped.
Any player from that team may take the ball for the restart of play. It does not have to be the player who actually had the ball last.
If it is in a team’s goal circle, the GS or GA may shoot for goal.
New Rule in Action:
Some moments it might be used are:
Two opposing players gain possession of the ball simultaneously with one or both hands
At a centre pass, two opposing players enter the centre third before the whistle and one or both touch or catch the ball
Any other mutual infringement.
Because the new action only applies in the same situations where a toss up would have been awarded under the previous rules, it is expected that it will not be used frequently
Different from possession clarification
Please note this is different from a situation where possession is called as a clarification when two players gain possession of the ball in quick succession.
Supporting Documents
England Netball have an extensive document with frequently answered questions which gives more information for those who wish to read it - this can be found on this link - England Netball - 2024 Rules of Netball FAQ (Public) - Google Sheets
All info has been taken from the England Netball Website and World Netball Website
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