Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Netball’s seven positions are each restricted to defined court zones — a defining feature of the sport. Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Attack (GA) are the only players who can score, and only from inside the shooting circle. Wing Attack (WA) feeds the shooters but cannot enter the circle. Centre (C) is the only position allowed in three thirds (everywhere except the two circles) and takes the centre pass. Wing Defence (WD), Goal Defence (GD) and Goal Keeper (GK) form the defensive unit, with GK and GD able to defend in the circle. The zone restrictions create a highly structured, positional game.
- 7 positions, each zone-restricted
- Only GS and GA can score (from circle)
- Centre covers three thirds (not the circles)
- GK and GD defend in the shooting circle
In practice
Netball's seven positions are strictly zone-restricted — each position (like Goal Shooter, Wing Attack or Goal Keeper) is only allowed into specific designated thirds of the court, which is a defining structural feature of the sport that forces highly specialized, position-specific skill development rather than the more fluid positional interchange seen in many other team sports.
FAQ
How many positions are there in netball and what are they?
Seven: Goal Shooter, Goal Attack, Wing Attack, Centre, Wing Defence, Goal Defence and Goal Keeper, each restricted to specific thirds of the court.
Why are netball positions restricted to certain areas of the court?
The zone restrictions force specialized roles and prevent any single player from dominating the entire court, creating a more structured, position-dependent tactical structure than many other team sports.