Which of the following describes a penalty for a serious rule violation in netball?

A penalty pass is the appropriate term for a serious rule violation in netball, as it occurs when an infringement is deemed significant enough to warrant a halt in play and a chance for the opposing team to score. In the context of the game, a penalty pass is awarded for offenses such as contact or obstruction that impede a player’s ability to play the ball. The player taking the penalty pass is allowed to take the shot directly at the goal or pass to a teammate, depending on their position on the court.

A free pass is awarded for minor infringements and does not allow the opposing player to shoot at the goal directly. A timeout refers to a game interruption for strategic discussions or rest, while a substitution pertains to player changes. None of these options imply addressing serious violations akin to what the penalty pass does. Consequently, the penalty pass correctly identifies the penalty for serious rule violations in netball.