What penalty is awarded for minor breaches of rules in netball?

A free pass is awarded for minor breaches of rules in netball. This type of penalty allows the opposing team to restart play without the defending team being allowed to interfere for a specified distance. Minor breaches can include situations like foot faults, obstruction that doesn't involve serious interference, or other non-penal fouls.

The significance of a free pass lies in its simplicity and quick resolution, allowing the game to maintain flow while still penalizing the breach. This contrasts with more serious infringements, which would result in a penalty shoot or other more complicated restarts.

In netball, it’s crucial to differentiate between the severity of fouls because the game encourages continuous play, and minor breaks shouldn't halt the game's pace too drastically. Therefore, the free pass is ideal for providing a fair opportunity to the non-offending team while still adhering to the rules of the game.