NetballExplained

How to Rebound in Netball

How to rebound in netball, for shooters and defenders: taking position before the shot, screening out, timing the jump, and the replayed-ball rule.

Written by Claire McDonald · Last updated

Rebounds are won before the ball hits the ring: take your position before the shot is released — for a defender, about a metre from the post in front of the shooter — screen your opponent out, then time your jump to the ball. A shooter may catch their own miss only if it has touched the post or ring.

A missed shot doesn't end the passage of play — it starts a contest both shooters and defenders need to be ready for. For defenders especially, a rebound is a turnover: it stops a second attempt and can start an attack the other way.

Position before the shot

The most important thing World Netball's coaching material says about rebounding is about timing: take up your rebounding position before the shot is taken, not once you've seen it miss.

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.

For defenders, the guidance is specific:

  • The defender who is not defending the shot stands about a metre from the post, in front of the shooter there — the ideal rebounding position.
  • The defender who leans or jumps at the shot then needs to screen out their shooter, so both defenders end up with the better positions.

Screening out

Screening out means turning to face the post with your opponent behind you, so you're between them and where the ball is likely to come down. It has to be done with legal body position: you can hold your space, but pushing, holding or leaning on an opponent is contact.

Reading the ball

Watch the shot rather than the shooter's hands once it's released. The arc, the power and the line give you an early idea of where a miss will come off the ring. React to the ball's flight, not to the first player who moves.

Timing the jump

Height helps, but timing matters more. Jump to meet the ball at its highest reachable point, not when your opponent jumps. A controlled, two-handed catch at the top of the jump, brought straight into the chest, is harder to dislodge than a one-handed grab — and gives you a balanced landing for the next pass (see how to land).

The rule for shooters

Normally you can't play the ball again after releasing it until it has touched another player. But once a shot rebounds from the goalpost — which includes the ring — anyone may play it, including the shooter who took it. If the shot misses the post and ring completely, the shooter can't be the first to touch it. See replayed ball.

For attackers, the same principles apply in reverse: keep moving after the shot so a defender can't settle into a screen, and look for the inside position nearer the post.

How to practise

Two practices from World Netball's coaching manual, both using a wall:

  • Rebounding. A defender faces the wall. A partner throws the ball high against it, and the defender rebounds. After a few attempts, the partner contests too, so both players go for the ball.
  • Screening out. The defender faces the partner. Once the ball has been thrown high against the wall, the defender turns and screens the partner out for the rebound.

Then add rebounding to every shooting drill — the shooting ladder drill builds in a follow-up after every miss.

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

  • Waiting to see whether the shot misses before moving, instead of taking position as it's released.
  • Contesting the shot and then forgetting to screen out the shooter.
  • Jumping to your opponent's timing rather than to the ball's.
  • Catching your own missed shot when it didn't touch the post or ring.
  • Pushing or leaning on an opponent to win position, which is contact.