For someone interested in playing a game of netball, it may seem daunting and scary at first. If you don’t know the game or what position would suit you best, it can feel confusing and frustrating. Thankfully, once you understand every position’s requirements, the process of deciding becomes easier.
When deciding which position you should play in netball, you’ll need to understand your likes and dislikes about each position. This way, you’ll have a clear idea as to what position is the best for you and suits your requirements as well as skill levels accordingly.
Netball doesn’t need to be a scary sport; in fact, it’s an exciting team game that can increase your physical health and provide many long-term health benefits. If you need help choosing the best position for you, continue reading!
Every Position Requirements (Physical Condition, Skills You Need)
Wing Defense (WD)
As wing defense, you aim to stop your opponent from getting the ball into their goal circle. You must do this by intercepting the ball and feeding it back to your goal circle.
Physical Condition
A wing defender’s physical condition must be fit and healthy. As they are required to mark their opponent for the majority of the game, WD must be prepared to run and jump for the majority of the game.
Skills You Need
- Focused
- Jumping
- Marking
Goal Defense (GD)
A goal defender’s job is to intercept and feed the ball out of the opposition’s goal circle, aka- the danger zone! Thus, it requires someone with superb eye-for-detail and timing.
Physical Condition
Goal defense must be physically fit as the position requires plenty of jumping, blocking, and running.
Skills You Need
- Jumping
- Catching and snatching the ball
- Good anticipation
- Footwork
Goal Keeper (GK)
The goal keeper marks the opposition’s goal shooter- making sure to stop the GS from scoring a goal. It can be done by intercepting, jumping for the ball, and collecting rebounds as many times as possible.
Physical Condition
Although GK requires less stamina, they must be keen on defense. They are usually once of the taller players also that can jump and use their arms when necessary.
Skills You Need
- Jumping
- Catching by keeping eyes on the ball
- Marking
- Speedy footwork
- Using arms and hands to defend
Center (C)
The center position is one of the most dynamic positions in the game of netball. The center is allowed to move everywhere on the court, except for both teams’ inner-third circles. They have to keep a shift of movement for the ball throughout the court.
Physical Condition
A Center’s physical condition must be fit and healthy. Continuous running and throwing are required in the position, requiring a player’s stamina to be the best within the team. Centers will also be quick to move and change directions without hesitation.
Skills You Need
- Fast-paced
- Ball handling
- Keeping eyes on the ball
- Accurate catching and throwing
- Dodging
- Side-stepping
- Speedy footwork
- Throwing
Goal Shooter (GS)
Goal shooter or GS is focused entirely on shooting and scoring goals for their team. A GS works within their inner-third circle alongside the Goal Attack, who can score goals if required. They have to remain useful in remaining open for players and be a good shooter.
Physical Condition
A goal shooter’s physical condition must be healthy, able to jump for the ball, and use their upper-half of the body according to shooting a goal.
Skills You Need
- Accurate shooting skills
- Side-stepping
- Speedy footwork
- Ball above head
- Balance
Goal Attack (GA)
Goal attack can go in the two inner-thirds as well as the goal circle. Goal attack has to assist the goal shooter in scoring goals, as well as setting goals up accordingly.
Physical Condition
The ideal physical condition of a GA player is fit, healthy, with an ability to shoot.
Skills You Need
- Strong on attack
- Shooting
- Side-stepping
- Jumping
- Footwork
- Balance
Wing Attack (WA)
Wing attack’s job throughout the game of netball is to provide as many opportunities of scoring by passing the ball to the shooter and GA. They can run everywhere EXCEPT within both teams’ goal circle.
Physical Condition
As plenty of running occurs throughout the position- WA’s physical condition should be fit, healthy, and steady on the attack.
Skills You Need
- Jumping
- Side-stepping
- Bounce passes
- Accurate ball handling
- Eye-for-detail
- Throwing
What is The Hardest Netball Position for You?
When you look at each netball position from a stamina perspective, it’s clear that the Center position requires the most physical demand. Overall, this could mean it would be the hardest netball position for you to play- specifically, if you’re not a runner.
Although every position in netball requires some sort of running, especially in professional netball- The center can easily be the most difficult to keep up with.
However, If you look at the hardest netball position from a skill point of view- it’s clear that goal-attack may fit into that category.
Goal attack requires a skill of both driving the ball into the goal circle, as well as accuracy for shooting.
Here is a list of reasons why the center may be the hardest netball position for you:
- There is no where you can’t run- except for the shooters circle
- You act as both attack and defense (depending on who has the ball)
- You’re required heavily to connect the ball to the appropriate people on your team
- Quickly observing the best person to throw to is always required
- You’ll be running the majority of the game
And here is a list of reasons why Goal Attack may be the hardest netball position for you:
- You’re required to shoot accurately (if needed)
- You must drive the ball towards the goal shooter
- Most of the hard work takes place within a small inner-circle (the goal circle)
- A lot of running is required
- You must continue to mark you, opponent when it’s the oppositions throw-off
- Rebounds are required
What is The Best Netball Position for You?
Choosing the best netball position for you depends on a few factors. Deciding what you enjoy- say attack or defense, as well as judging your stamina levels, is an excellent way of determining the overall best position.
To help you choose the best netball position for you, I’ve broken the positions up:
- Center
If you’re secure with stamina, enjoy moving around the court often, and don’t mind playing both attack and defense- center is the best position for you.
- Goal Shoot
For those who don’t enjoy running frequently but aren’t keen on the attack side- goal shoot is the best position for you.
- Goal Keep
Individuals strong on defense, but don’t enjoy running- goal keep is the best position for you.
- Goal Attack
If running around the court doesn’t sound too bad, and you’re up for the challenge of scoring a few goals- goal-attack may be the best position for you.
- Wing Attack
Wing attacks carry the ball often- never being afraid to run, jump, or snatch a ball when required. They’re prepared to do what it takes to drive the ball to their goal circle. If this sounds like you, wing attack is your potential best position.
- Wing Defense
If you’re prepared to use your defense skills, height, and running capabilities in ensuring the ball doesn’t make its way to the opposition’s goal circle- wing defense is the best position for you.
- Goal Defense
Rebounds, jumping, and marking your player is what you’re best at doing. You don’t mind driving the ball; instead- you enjoy intercepting the ball and switching up the direction of the game when bystanders least expect it. If this sounds like you- goal defense is your best position.
Overall, it may take a few times to play numerous positions to find out what the best position for you to play in netball is. However, once you find it- continue persevering, and you make it big!
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