If you’re new to the sport of netball and curious as to what it’s all about, here’s a look at the different positions that are played on court. There are seven players on a standard team, and each one has their own job to do.
Matches are split into four quarters lasting 15 minutes each, although novice teams may play shorter matches. A point is awarded each time a successful shot at the nets at each end of the court is made, and whichever team has the most points at close of play are declared the winners.
The following positions make up the team: Centre (C), Wing Defence (WD), Wing Attack (WA), Goal Defence (GD), Goal Attack (GA), Goal Keeper (GK), And Goal Shooter (GS). The court is divided into thirds, with a centre circle and shooting semi-circle at each end around the goal nets.
The Centre is allowed over the whole court, except the goal circles. Their main role is to keep the ball in attacking play, rather than defence. They make the first pass from the centre to start the game, and after each time a goal is scored. Centres need to be excellent passers, and swift and sharp.
The Wing Attack can move in the attacking and centre third, but not in the defence third or the shooting circle. Their role is to pass the ball to the shooters, so they need to be able to both collect and pass the ball well, and to spot chances to open up the play.
The Wing Defence is allowed to move in the centre and defensive thirds, but cannot enter the attacking third or the shooting circle. Their main job is to intercept passes, and feed them back into attacking play, by marking the Wing Attack. They must have excellent ball control ability.
The Goal Attack has the job of setting up and scoring goals. They can move over the centre third and the attacking third, but are not allowed to enter the defensive third. They mark the opposing team’s Goal Defence, and also feed passes to the shooter, and are also the only other player besides the Shooter permitted to shoot and score goals.
The Goal Defence is allowed in the centre third, the defensive third, and the shooting circle. They mark the Goal Attack. They should be able to anticipate the movement of play and have good intercepting skills.
The Goal Shooter is only permitted to enter the attacking goal third and the shooting circle. They mark the opposing team’s Goal Keeper. They should be able to make accurate shots under pressure.
The Goal Keeper is only allowed to play in the defensive goal third and the shooting circle. Their primary objective is to defend the goal, and prevent the Goal Shooter and goal Attack from making shots at goal. They must be able to intercept the ball well, and be able to keep a sharp eye on the game.
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