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Netball Maths

Maths in netball: match or routine time

Read clocks, periods and time limits.

Quick answer

Maths in netball: match or routine time helps you understand how time is measured and used during a netball game or routine. You learn to read clocks, understand periods, and work out how long things take. This maths is useful for knowing when the game starts, when it ends, and how much time is left in each part of the game.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read a clock and understand how time is used in netball games and routines. Success signs:
  • You can tell the time on a clock when the game starts and ends.
  • You know how long each netball period lasts.
  • You can work out how much time is left in a game or routine.
  • You can use time to plan your netball practice or game.

Why this matters

Time is very important in netball. Every game is divided into four quarters, and each quarter has a set time. Knowing how to read a clock helps you understand when the game starts, when it ends, and when you can take a break. If you're playing in a netball routine, timing is important too – you need to know how long your routine should take and how much time you have for each part. Understanding time helps you be better at netball and enjoy the game more.

How it works

Netball games are split into four quarters. Each quarter lasts 15 minutes. So a full game is 60 minutes long. In a netball routine, you might have a time limit, like 30 seconds or 1 minute. You can use a clock to keep track of time and make sure you don’t go over the time limit. To understand time in netball:
  1. Learn how to read a clock (hours and minutes).
  2. Know how long each part of a game or routine lasts.
  3. Use a stopwatch or a clock to keep track of time.
  4. Practice counting minutes to see how time passes.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at a netball game that starts at 2:00 p.m.
  • The first quarter starts at 2:00 p.m. and ends at 2:15 p.m.
  • The second quarter starts at 2:15 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.
  • The third quarter starts at 2:30 p.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m.
  • The fourth quarter starts at 2:45 p.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m.
You can also think of it like this: Netball Game Time
Quarter Start Time End Time Duration
Quarter 1 2:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 15 minutes
Quarter 2 2:15 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 15 minutes
Quarter 3 2:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m. 15 minutes
Quarter 4 2:45 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 15 minutes
In a netball routine, you might have 30 seconds to complete your routine. If you start at 10:00 a.m., you need to finish by 10:30 a.m.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Netball Time Challenge Imagine you are playing in a netball game that starts at 3:00 p.m. You need to work out the times for each quarter and how much time is left in the game. 1st time: The game starts at 3:00 p.m. What time does the first quarter end? 2nd time: The second quarter starts at 3:15 p.m. What time does it end? 3rd time: The third quarter starts at 3:30 p.m. What time does it end? 4th time: The fourth quarter starts at 3:45 p.m. What time does the game end? Now, if you are in a netball routine, you have 45 seconds to complete it. You start at 4:00 p.m. What time do you finish? Answer: 1st time: 3:15 p.m. 2nd time: 3:30 p.m. 3rd time: 3:45 p.m. 4th time: 4:00 p.m. Routine ends at 4:45 p.m.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 15 minutes is the same as 1 hour. Why it happens: Confusing minutes with hours. Fix: Remember that 1 hour = 60 minutes. So 15 minutes is 1/4 of an hour.
  • Mistake: Adding minutes incorrectly, like thinking 30 minutes + 45 minutes = 75 minutes. Why it happens: Not knowing that 60 minutes = 1 hour. Fix: Remember that 30 + 45 = 75 minutes. That’s 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Mistake: Mixing up start and end times. Why it happens: Not paying attention to the clock. Fix: Use a visual clock or write down the times to help you.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child understand time in netball by:
  • Practicing reading a clock together at home.
  • Using a timer or stopwatch to show how long each netball quarter lasts.
  • Playing a game where you set a timer for a short routine and see if your child can finish on time.
  • Looking at a netball game together and discussing when the quarters start and end.
  • Encouraging your child to make their own netball routine with a time limit.
It’s okay if your child makes mistakes. Time can be tricky, but with practice, they will get better. You can also use everyday situations like cooking or walking to school to help them understand time.

Practice questions

  1. If a netball game starts at 1:00 p.m., what time does the second quarter end?
  2. A netball routine lasts 1 minute. If it starts at 10:30 a.m., what time does it end?
  3. If the third quarter starts at 2:30 p.m., what time does it end?
  4. How long is a full netball game in minutes?
  5. If a netball routine has 45 seconds and starts at 3:00 p.m., what time does it end?
Answers:
  1. 2:15 p.m.
  2. 10:31 a.m.
  3. 2:45 p.m.
  4. 60 minutes
  5. 3:45 p.m.

FAQ

What time does a netball game start?

Netball games usually start at a set time, like 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. It depends on the schedule of the game or match.

How long is each netball quarter?

Each netball quarter lasts 15 minutes. There are four quarters in a full game.

Can I use a phone to time my netball routine?

Yes, you can use a phone’s stopwatch or timer to help you keep track of time during a netball routine.

What happens if I go over time in a netball routine?

If you go over time, you might get a penalty or lose points. It’s important to stay within the time limit.

Why is it important to know how to read a clock in netball?

Knowing how to read a clock helps you understand when to start and stop, how much time you have, and how the game or routine is timed.