Goal Shot Ball — know the basics
A fast, exciting team sport. Here's how it's played, how points are scored, and what the field of play looks like.
How Goal Shot Ball is played
The Team
- 5 players on court: 4 court players + 1 goalkeeper.
- Substitutes and officials wait in the substitution area.
Match Duration
- Two halves of 20 minutes each.
- 5–10 minute halftime, after which teams switch sides.
Ball Rules
- Hold the ball for up to 4 seconds.
- Take up to 2 steps without dribbling.
- No double dribble — no dribbling again after bouncing and catching the ball.
Scoring
- Normal goal = 1 point.
- Goal by an Impact Player = 2 points.
- Goal by a Power Player = 2 points.
- Any player scoring from outside the 9m line = 2 points.
Goal Area Rule
- Only the goalkeeper may stand inside the 7m goal area.
- Court players may jump into the area to shoot but must release the ball before landing.
Fouls & Penalties
- Pushing, holding, tripping, pulling or illegal contact is a foul.
- Serious fouls may result in a 1-minute suspension or a red card.
- A foul during a shooting action earns a penalty (7.50m throw).
- After 5 one-minute suspensions, a player is disqualified (red card).
Impact and Power Players make the difference — their goals are worth 2 points.
The rules at a glance
Official basic-rules guide from the Confederation of African Goal Shot Ball (CAGSB).
The Goal Shot Ball court
The court measures 32 metres in length and 16 metres in width, with a goal at each end. Key markings include the goal area, the 5-metre, 7-metre and 9-metre lines, the penalty and free-throw lines, the goalkeeper's restraining line, the centre line, and the 4-metre substitution line beside the benches for substitutes.
- 32 m
- Court length
- 16 m
- Court width
- 7 m
- Goal area radius
- 9 m
- Free-throw / bonus line
Frequently asked questions
How many players are on a Goal Shot Ball team?+
Five players are on court at a time: four court players and one goalkeeper. Substitutes and officials wait in the substitution area.
How long is a Goal Shot Ball match?+
A match is played over two halves of 20 minutes each, with a 5–10 minute halftime after which the teams switch sides.
How is scoring done in Goal Shot Ball?+
A normal goal is worth 1 point. A goal scored by an Impact Player or a Power Player is worth 2 points, and any player scoring from outside the 9-metre line scores 2 points.
What are the ball-handling rules?+
A player may hold the ball for up to 4 seconds and take up to 2 steps without dribbling. Double dribble is not allowed — you cannot dribble again after bouncing and catching the ball.
What are the dimensions of a Goal Shot Ball court?+
The court measures 32 metres in length and 16 metres in width, with a goal at each end and a 7-metre goal area only the goalkeeper may stand in.
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