If it’s been longer than you’d care to admit since you played netball at secondary school, then you’re not alone. Netball is enjoying a resurgence in popularity with many women returning to the sport for enjoyment and fitness. If it’s all a bit rusty for you, then here is a handy guide to familiarize yourself with what all those letters mean on the bibs of the players:
The 7 positions include:
1. Goal Keeper
2. Goal Defence
3. Wing Defence
4. Centre
5. Wing Attack
6. Goal Attack
7. Goal Shooter
The different positions are restricted to certain areas of the court and a player who oversteps their line will hear a cry of ‘offside’. To get you back into the swing of things, practice with some Netball Training Videos from https://www.sportplan.net/drills/Netball/drills.jsp Here we look at each position in a little more detail:
- Goal Keeper (GK)The number one job of the goal keeper is defending the goal circle from the opposition shooters and stop them from scoring goals. The GK will also take throw-ins from the base line. The GK must work well with Goal Defence, defending the goal circle from the opposing team.
The GK is only allowed in the goal third of their own team. In the goal circle the GK can use their hands but not if they leave that circle.
- Goal Defence (GD)This is a role all about defending and helping the GK. They must prevent the opposing goal shooters from getting into a position where they can shoot for goal. They must mark the opposing team’s goal attack player closely and find ways to intercept the ball. The GD can move within the team’s goal third, the goal circle and the centre third.
3. Wing Defence (WD)
Another defensive position, the WD will also try to bring the ball down to their attack players. The WD must mark the opposing wing attack player and prevent the ball from entering the goal circle where possible. This position can move between the centre and goal third but not the goal circle.
4. Centre (C)
Whenever a goal is scored, it’s the centre player who restarts the game from the centre circle. This position is responsible for setting the pace, creating space and is both a defending and attacking role. The position must aim to get the ball into their attacking circle but also defend where necessary. This player can roam freely except either goal circles.
5. Wing Attack (WA)
This is an attacking position primarily tasked with moving the ball from the centre to the opposing team’s goal third. The player needs to feed both the goal shooter and goal attack players. The player is allowed into the centre third and the opposing team’s goal third but not the goal circle.
6. Goal Attack (GA)
The main aim of this position is to set up offensive attacks and score goals. The player also needs to feed the ball to their goal shooter, working very closely with this other position. They can enter the centre third, the opposing team’s goal third and goal circle.
7. Goal Shooter (GS)
This position is all about shooting for goals. They must score by putting the ball through the opposing team’s hoop which can only be allowed whilst inside the opposition’s goal circle. They are positioned only within the opposing team’s goal third and goal circle.