Netball is a popular team sport that requires players to work together to score points and prevent the opposing team from doing the same. Each player has a specific role to play, and understanding the positions can help you appreciate the game better. In this article, we will be discussing the different netball positions and their responsibilities.
The Positions
Netball has seven positions on the court, and each has a different set of responsibilities. The positions are as follows:
- Goal Shooter (GS)
- Goal Attack (GA)
- Wing Attack (WA)
- Centre (C)
- Wing Defence (WD)
- Goal Defence (GD)
- Goal Keeper (GK)
Each position has a designated area of the court where they can move, and their job is to work together to create scoring opportunities while also preventing the opposing team from scoring.
The Roles
Goal Shooter (GS)
The goal shooter’s primary responsibility is to score goals for their team. They must be an accurate shooter and have excellent shooting skills. The GS can move anywhere in the shooting circle, but they cannot leave it. They must work with the GA to create scoring opportunities and are often the target for long-range passes.
Responsibilities
- Score goals for the team
- Work with the GA to create scoring opportunities
- Stay inside the shooting circle
Goal Attack (GA)
The goal attack’s role is to assist the GS in scoring goals while also creating their scoring opportunities. They can move anywhere on the court except the shooting circle, and they must be an excellent passer to get the ball to the GS. They must work with the WA to create space on the court and find opportunities to pass the ball to the GS.
Responsibilities
- Assist the GS in scoring goals
- Create their scoring opportunities
- Cannot enter the shooting circle
Wing Attack (WA)
The wing attack’s primary responsibility is to move the ball from the centre third to the attacking third. They must be an excellent passer and have good ball-handling skills. They can move anywhere on the court except the shooting circle and the defensive third.
Responsibilities
- Move the ball from the centre third to the attacking third
- Pass the ball to the GA and GS to create scoring opportunities
- Cannot enter the shooting circle or defensive third
Centre (C)
The centre is the team’s playmaker, and their role is to move the ball from the defensive third to the attacking third. They must be an excellent passer and have good ball-handling skills. They can move anywhere on the court except the shooting circle and the defensive third.
Responsibilities
- Move the ball from the defensive third to the attacking third
- Control the tempo of the game
- Pass the ball to the attacking players to create scoring opportunities
- Cannot enter the shooting circle or defensive third
Wing Defence (WD)
The wing defence’s primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team’s wing attack from getting the ball into the attacking third. They must be an excellent defender and have good anticipation skills. They can move anywhere on the court except the shooting circle and the defensive third.
Responsibilities
- Prevent the opposing team’s wing attack from getting the ball into the attacking third
- Intercept passes and disrupt the opposing team’s attacking plays
- Cannot enter the shooting circle or defensive third
Goal Defence (GD)
The goal defence’s primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team’s GA from scoring goals. They must be an excellent defender and have good anticipation skills. They can move anywhere on the court except the shooting circle and the defensive third.
Responsibilities
- Prevent the opposing team’s GA from scoring goals
- Intercept passes and disrupt the opposing team’s attacking plays
- Cannot enter the shooting circle or defensive third
Goal Keeper (GK)
The goalkeeper’s primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team’s GS from scoring goals. They must be an excellent defender and have good anticipation skills. They can move anywhere on the court, including the shooting circle.
Responsibilities
- Prevent the opposing team’s GS from scoring goals
- Intercept passes and disrupt the opposing team’s attacking plays
- Can enter the shooting circle
The Strategy
Each team has a unique strategy that they use to win games. The positions and roles of each player are essential to executing the team’s strategy successfully. Below are some strategies that teams commonly use:
1. Man-to-Man Defense
In man-to-man defense, each player on the defending team is responsible for marking one player on the attacking team. The defenders must stay close to their player and prevent them from getting the ball. The advantage of man-to-man defense is that it allows defenders to disrupt the opposition’s passing game and prevent them from creating scoring opportunities.
2. Zone Defense
In zone defense, each player on the defending team is responsible for a specific area of the court. The defenders must stay within their area and prevent the opposing team from getting the ball into their designated area. The advantage of zone defense is that it makes it difficult for the opposing team to find open spaces to pass the ball and create scoring opportunities.
3. Fast Break
In the fast break strategy, the attacking team tries to move the ball quickly up the court to catch the defenders off guard. The attacking players move quickly to create space on the court and get the ball to the shooters as quickly as possible. The advantage of the fast break is that it allows the attacking team to catch the defenders out of position and create scoring opportunities.
Conclusion
Understanding the positions and roles of each player is essential to appreciating the game of netball fully. Each position has a unique set of responsibilities that contribute to the team’s overall strategy. The next time you watch a netball game, pay attention to how each player works together to create scoring opportunities and prevent the opposing team from doing the same.
| Position | Primary Responsibilities | Area of the Court |
|---|---|---|
| GS | Score goals for the team | Shooting circle |
| GA | Assist the GS in scoring goals, create their scoring opportunities | Attacking third, cannot enter the shooting circle |
| WA | Move the ball from the centre third to the attacking third, pass the ball to the attacking players | Centre and attacking third, cannot enter the shooting circle or defensive third |
| C | Move the ball from the defensive third to the attacking third, control the tempo of the game | All areas except the shooting circle and defensive third |
| WD | Prevent the opposing team’s wing attack from getting the ball into the attacking third, intercept passes and disrupt the opposing team’s attacking plays | Centre and defensive third, cannot enter the shooting circle or attacking third |
| GD | Prevent the opposing team’s GA from scoring goals, intercept passes and disrupt the opposing team’s attacking plays | Defensive third and centre, cannot enter the shooting circle or attacking third |
| GK | Prevent the opposing team’s GS from scoring goals, intercept passes and disrupt the opposing team’s attacking plays | All areas including the shooting circle |