NetballExplained

How to Defend a Shooter in Netball

How to defend a shooter in netball: the 0.9m distance, the lean, the jump towards the ball, the defensive lift, and rebounding after the shot.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last updated

Stand 0.9m from the shooter's landing foot and pressure the point of release — by leaning with an arm over the ball, by jumping towards the ball once it leaves the shooter's fingers, or a lean followed by a jump. Don't touch the shooter or the ball in their hands, and be ready to rebound.

Defending the shot is the core job of the Goal Keeper and Goal Defence. It happens in the smallest, most crowded part of the court, under the tightest rules, so technique matters more than effort: a defender who closes the gap or reaches into the shooter gives away a penalty pass — and in the circle, the shooter can take that as a shot.

Before the shot

The contest starts before the shooter has the ball. Good marking in and around the circle means the shooter receives the ball in a worse position, further from the post or off balance. World Netball's coaching material also stresses taking up your rebounding position before the shot is taken, not after (see After the shot below).

The 0.9m distance

Once the shooter has the ball, you must be at least 0.9m from their first grounded foot — the landing foot — measured on the ground to your nearer foot (see obstruction). A few details from the rules matter in the circle:

  • if the shooter pivots, you adjust to stay 0.9m from where the landing foot now is;
  • if the shooter steps towards you and closes the gap, you aren't penalised for it;
  • from the correct distance, you may jump upwards or towards the shooter and land inside 0.9m, provided you don't interfere with the shooting action.

Three ways to contest the shot

World Netball's coaching manual and cards describe three techniques.

Side view of a defender contesting a shot from 0.9 metres A shooter holds the ball above the head. A defender stands in front of the shooter, between shooter and post, 0.9 metres from the shooter's landing foot measured along the ground, and leans forward with one arm stretched over the ball. The shot arcs over the defender's hand towards the ring. 0.9 m Shooter Defender 1 2 3
Contesting the shot with a lean.
  1. 0.9m from the shooter's landing foot, measured along the ground.
  2. Lean forward and stretch an arm over the ball to pressure the point of release.
  3. Defend from in front (as here), the side or behind, depending on the shooter's style and distance from the post.

1. The lean

Stand at 0.9m from the shooter's landing foot and stretch out to put pressure on the point of release. The manual lists four variations:

  • opposite foot forward to the arm stretched over the ball;
  • same arm and foot forward;
  • balanced on both feet, with both arms stretched over the ball;
  • balanced on both feet, one arm over the ball and the other used for balance and to cover a possible pass to the other shooter.

You can take up the 0.9m stance from in front of the shooter, to the side or behind. Which works best depends on the shooter's style and how far they are from the post.

2. The jump

Timed well, a jump can deflect the shot. From 0.9m, make a powerful leap towards the ball, aiming to tip it at its point of release or above. The guidance is specific: try not to jump straight up and down, and make sure you jump towards the flight of the ball after it has left the shooter's fingers.

3. The combination

Lean over the shot from 0.9m, then bring your back foot forward — not closer than 0.9m — to jump as the shot is released.

The defensive lift

Under the 2024 rules, a defender may contest while being lifted by a teammate, provided that the nearer foot of each defender on the ground is at least 0.9m from the shooter's landing foot. A defender already within 0.9m may not lift a teammate. The lifted defender still can't touch the shooter or the ball in their hands. See obstruction for the detail.

What not to do

  • Touch the shooter or the ball while it's in their hands — that's contact.
  • Defend from inside 0.9m — obstruction, and a penalty pass the shooter can take as a shot (see penalty pass).
  • Wave your arms erratically to put the shooter off — that's intimidation, not defending. Arms raised to contest the ball from 0.9m are fine.

After the shot

Defensive rebounding positions in the goal circle Seen from above. The Goal Attack shoots from inside the circle while the Goal Defence contests from 0.9 metres, to the side. Near the post, the Goal Keeper stands about one metre from the post, in front of the Goal Shooter. After the shot, the Goal Defence turns to screen the Goal Attack out. Post GA GD GS GK 1 2
Rebounding positions. Filled circles are attackers; outlined circles are defenders.
  1. The defender not contesting the shot stands about a metre from the post, in front of the shooter there, and takes that position before the shot.
  2. The defender who leans or jumps at the shot then turns to screen out their shooter, so both defenders have the better rebounding positions.

World Netball's guidance is that the defender who isn't contesting the shot should stand about a metre from the post, in front of the shooter there — and get there before the shot is taken. The defender who leaned or jumped at the shot then needs to screen out their shooter, so that both defenders hold the better rebounding positions. See how to rebound.

How to practise

World Netball's practice for the lean uses a wall. Stand 0.9m (or slightly further) from the wall, lean and hold the position for three seconds. Lines drawn on the wall can show where your hands should be. For the jump, use the same drill with the marks a little higher.

Then move to a live shooter, from a variety of angles and distances, and add the rebound and screen-out after every shot.

Sources

All information on this page is given to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing (October 2026), after referring to the official sources below.

Common mistakes

  • Defending from inside 0.9m while the shooter holds the ball — a penalty pass the shooter can take as a shot.
  • Jumping straight up and down instead of towards the flight of the ball.
  • Jumping before the ball has left the shooter's fingers.
  • Contesting the shot and forgetting to screen out the shooter for the rebound.
  • Waving the arms erratically, which is intimidation rather than defending.