Netball player positions and playing area
Playing area
A competitive netball match is played on a large rectangular court and can be played both indoors and outside. An official court is measured at 30.5 m (100 ft) long and 15.25 m (50 ft) wide.
- Netball post - the vertical height should be 3.05 metres from the ground.
- Netball ring - the ring's internal diameter should be 38 cm and the ring's thickness 1.5 cm.
- Goal circle - the attacking team are only able to shoot when they are within the semi-circle. The area measures a radius of 4.90 metres.
- Centre circle - the match begins and restarts after a goal from the centre circle. The area measures a diameter of 0.90 metres.
- The netball court is assigned into three different areas and two goal circles. No one player is allowed in all 5 areas of the court.
Players
A netball team consists of seven players per side and is divided into different positions. Like most sports the team has very clear roles to support their overall success:
- Centre (C) - this position starts the game and is allowed anywhere on the court except their own and the opposing team's goal circles.
- Wing attack (WA) - this position aims to collect the ball and deliver it safely into the goal circle to the shooters. The wing attack is only allowed in the top 2 thirds of their court.
- Goal attack (GA) - this position aims to collect the ball safely from the wing attack or centre and either passes to the shooter or has a shot for themselves. The goal attack is only allowed in the top two thirds of their court and the goal circle.
- Goal shooter (GS) - this position aims to find space in order to receive the ball from their teammates and shoot at the net. The goal shooter is only allowed in the top third of their court and the goal circle.
- Wing defence (WD) - this position is required to close down opposition players, intercept and protect the goal circle. The wing defence is only allowed in the bottom two thirds of their court.
- Goal defence (GD) - this position deals with preventing the opposition from passing the ball into the goal circle. The goal defence is only allowed in the bottom two thirds of their court and the goal circle.
- Goal keeper (GK) - this position aims to close down opposition shooters in order stop the ball from being shot at the net. The goal keeper is only allowed in the bottom third of their court and the goal circle.