The 7 Netball Positions Explained
All seven netball positions — GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD and GK — explained with where each one can go and what it does.
Netball has seven positions — Goal Shooter, Goal Attack, Wing Attack, Centre, Wing Defence, Goal Defence and Goal Keeper — each restricted to specific areas of the court, with only GS and GA allowed to shoot.
Every netball player is assigned one of seven positions, and each position has its own area of the court it's allowed into — no player can go everywhere. Here's what each one does, from attack to defence.
Attack
- Goal Shooter (GS) — shoots goals from the attacking circle. Restricted to the attacking third and its goal circle.
- Goal Attack (GA) — shoots goals and feeds the circle. Covers the centre third and attacking third, including the attacking goal circle.
- Wing Attack (WA) — feeds the ball into the circle but can't enter it or shoot. Covers the centre third and attacking third, excluding the goal circle.
Mid-court
- Centre (C) — covers the most ground of any position: every third, but neither goal circle. Takes every centre pass.
Defence
- Wing Defence (WD) — marks the opposing Wing Attack. Covers the centre third and defensive third, excluding the goal circle.
- Goal Defence (GD) — marks the opposing Goal Attack. Covers the centre third, defensive third and defensive goal circle.
- Goal Keeper (GK) — marks the opposing Goal Shooter. Restricted to the defensive third and its goal circle.
Why only some positions can go everywhere
Notice that GS and GK never enter the centre third, while WA and WD never enter a goal circle. Only the Centre can reach every third. This is deliberate: it forces teams to build attacking and defending structures through several players rather than relying on one dominant athlete covering the whole court — and it's why understanding each position's permitted area matters as much as understanding its skills.
Who can shoot?
Only Goal Shooter and Goal Attack can shoot, and only from inside the attacking goal circle. Every other position, on both teams, is restricted from entering that circle at all.
Choosing or understanding a position
New to a specific position, or trying to work out what your child's position means? Open its full guide above for permitted areas, key skills, common mistakes and beginner tips — or start with the parent's guide to netball if you're watching from the sideline for the first time.