When does a toss up occur in netball?

A toss up in netball occurs when two opposing players gain possession of the ball simultaneously. This situation typically arises when both players have legitimate claims to the ball, such as during a contested interception or if the ball is held by two players at the same time. In this circumstance, a toss up is used to ensure a fair and impartial method of restarting play.

The toss up is conducted at the point where the players are positioned when the situation occurs. The umpire will toss the ball between the two players, and they must take up their respective positions without interfering with each other as the ball is released. This rule encourages sportsmanship and fairness, creating an opportunity for both players to compete for the ball without any bias.

In contrast, scenarios like an injury, foul, or the ball going out of bounds have their own specific rules and methods of play resumption. An injury would lead to stoppage and possibly substitution, while a foul would result in a free pass or penalty for the affected team. Similarly, when the ball goes out of bounds, play is restarted based on where the ball exited the court and who last touched it. Each of these situations has distinct protocols, making the occurrence of a simultaneous possession unique in requiring a toss up.