NetballExplained
Rule Court position Beginner

The Goal Circle in Netball

The netball goal circle explained: its dimensions, which positions can enter it, and why shots must be taken from inside it.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last reviewed

The goal circle is the semicircle around each goalpost, with a 4.9m radius — only the two shooting positions on the attacking end, and the two closest defenders on the defending end, are allowed to enter it.

Difficulty
Beginner
Written for
Player, parent, umpire
Rule group
Court position

The goal circle is where every netball goal is won or lost — and access to it is one of the most tightly restricted parts of the game.

The rule in plain English

Each goal circle is a semicircle with a 4.9m (16ft) radius, measured from the mid-point of the outside of the goal line, marked at each end of the court. The line marking the circle counts as part of it. Only four of the seven positions can ever enter a goal circle: Goal Shooter and Goal Attack in the attacking circle, and Goal Keeper and Goal Defence in the defensive circle. The other three positions — Wing Attack, Centre and Wing Defence — are never permitted inside either circle.

The goal circle and who may enter it A goal end from above. The goal circle is a semicircle of 4.9 metres radius centred on the goal line, with the post at its centre. Inside are the attacking Goal Shooter and Goal Attack and the defending Goal Keeper and Goal Defence. The attacking Wing Attack and defending Wing Defence stand outside the circle edge; they may not enter it. 4.9 m Post GS GA GK GD WA WD 1 2
Inside the circle. Filled circles are the attacking team; outlined circles are the defenders. Only four players may enter: the attacking Goal Shooter and Goal Attack, and the defending Goal Keeper and Goal Defence. (1) Wing Attack and Wing Defence must stay outside. (2) The circle's line — drawn thick — counts as part of the circle, so a shot by GS or GA standing on it counts.

Shooting from the circle

To shoot, a Goal Shooter or Goal Attack must have no contact with the ground outside the circle — including while catching the ball (Rule 9.6). Standing on the circle line is fine, and so is jumping from inside the circle. Under the 2024 rules, if the ball has left the shooter's hands before the whistle for the end of a quarter, and goes in, the goal counts. See how is netball scored? for the full detail on scoring, and who can shoot in netball? for exactly which positions are allowed to take the shot.

Why the circle is restricted

Limiting which positions can enter the circle is central to how netball's position structure works — see the 7 netball positions explained. It prevents any single dominant player from covering the whole court and forces teams to build attacking and defending structures through several specialised roles rather than one.

Legal Illegal
GS or GA entering the attacking circle WA, C or WD entering either circle
GK or GD entering the defensive circle A shooter releasing a shot with a foot outside the circle
A shooter jumping from inside the circle to shoot GS or GA entering the defensive circle

What the umpire is looking for

The umpire is watching floor contact relative to the circle's boundary line, for both general positioning and specifically for a shooter's feet at the moment of release.

Restart

A non-permitted player entering a goal circle is an offside infringement, penalised with a free pass. A shot taken by a player in contact with the ground outside the circle is an incorrect shot: no goal is scored, and the other team gets a free pass where the shooter touched the ground outside the circle.

Common misunderstandings

  • "Only shooters can't enter the defensive circle." All three mid-court positions — Wing Attack, Centre and Wing Defence — are barred from both circles, not just the attacking one.
  • Confusing circle restrictions with general offside. The circle rule is a specific application of offside, not a separate rule — the same principle of permitted areas applies.

Player tips

  • If you play a mid-court position, treat both circles as completely off-limits, even when chasing a loose ball — it's one of the easiest ways to concede an avoidable free pass.

Umpire tips

  • Watch circle boundaries closely during scrambles for loose balls, since this is when non-permitted players are most likely to drift in unintentionally.

The goal circle rule is a specific case of offside, and connects directly to who can shoot in netball? for the scoring side of the same restriction.

Common mistakes

  • A non-shooting position stepping into the attacking circle while chasing a loose ball.
  • A shooter releasing a shot with a foot outside the circle boundary.
  • Assuming any player can enter either circle, when in fact only four of the seven positions ever can.

Official source: checked against the World Netball Rules 2024, published by World Netball. Last checked 10 October 2026.

Always check the official World Netball rulebook for the definitive, current wording. This site explains and illustrates the rules; it does not replace them.