Which Netball Position Should I Play?
A simple decision guide to choosing a netball position based on what you enjoy and how you naturally play, for new players and parents helping a child choose.
There's no wrong position to start with — most beginners try a few before settling, but your natural style is a good starting clue: love scoring? Try shooting. Love ball skills and constant movement? Try mid-court. Love disrupting and marking? Try defence.
If you're new to netball, or helping a child pick a position for the first time, this is a simpler way into the decision than reading all seven position guides at once. Answer four quick questions below for a suggestion, or read the reasoning underneath if you'd rather work it out yourself.
This tool needs JavaScript to run. With it off, use the questions in the sections below instead — they cover the same ground.
Start with what you enjoy, not what you're "best" at
Early on, enjoyment is a better guide than ability — skills develop fast once a player is engaged and playing regularly, but it's much harder to build enthusiasm for a position that doesn't suit a player's natural style. A few honest questions help narrow it down.
Do you love shooting and scoring?
If the appeal of netball is putting the ball through the ring, start with Goal Shooter or Goal Attack — the only two positions that can score. GS suits a player happy to specialise purely on finishing and holding the circle; GA suits a player who also enjoys being involved further out, feeding as well as shooting.
Do you love being everywhere and never standing still?
If constant movement across the whole court appeals more than a fixed role, Centre covers more ground than any other position and is involved in almost every phase of play, attacking and defending in turn.
Do you love ball skills and quick decisions?
Players who enjoy passing, creating space and quick decision-making often suit Wing Attack or Wing Defence — fast, skill-heavy positions that never touch a goal circle but are central to how the ball moves through the middle of the court.
Do you love defending and stopping the other team?
If disrupting the opposition and winning the ball back is the appeal, Goal Defence or Goal Keeper are built around exactly that — close marking, interception, and defending the circle.
It's completely normal to change positions
Many players, especially juniors, try several positions before settling — and some enjoy rotating between positions throughout their playing career. Trying a position and deciding it isn't a good fit is a normal, useful part of learning the game, not a wrong choice.
For parents choosing on behalf of a child
If you're a parent trying to guide a young player, the same questions above work well — ask what part of a match they talk about most afterwards (the goals, the running, the passing, the tackling) rather than guessing based on height or existing sport experience alone. See the parent's guide to netball for more on supporting a child new to the sport generally.
Where to go next
Once you have a rough idea, read that position's full guide — including its permitted court areas, key skills and beginner tips — via the 7 netball positions explained.