Playing the Game

Playing positions | what is needed to play | Court Specifications

Playing Positions

Goal Keeper (GK)
Main task of the Goal Keeper is to defend the goal third to prevent the ball from making it to the goal circle, and to stop a goal being scored. Their opponent is the Goal Shooter.

Tasks

Close “one on one” defence of the goal shooter.
Work closely with the Goal Defence in the goal circle.
Defend the shot for goal.
Rebound missed goals and pass the ball down the court.
Take throw-ins from the goal line and sideline.
Make attacking moves to take the ball down to the transverse line.
Take free pass / penalty pass in the goal third.
It is important for the Goal Keeper to be aware of what is happening out in front of them. This will allow them to read the attacking team’s movements and anticipate any interceptions, thus creating turnovers.

The diagram shows the designated area for the Goal Keeper.

Goal Defence (GD)
The main task of the Goal Defence is to defend the attacking moves of their opponent, the Goal Attack, to prevent a goal being scored. The Goal Defence also needs to have good attacking skills, which are important for getting the ball out of the defence third, and assisting the team in attack.

Tasks

Close “one on one” defence of the Goal Attack.
Work closely with the Goal Keeper in the goal circle.
Defend the shot for goal.
Rebound missed shots and pass the ball down the court.
Make attacking moves to take the ball down to the team’s goal third.
Take appropriate throw-ins / free pass / penalty pass in the centre third.
It is important for the Goal Defence to be aware of what is happening out in front of them. This will allow them to read the attacking team’s movements and anticipate any interceptions, thus creating turnovers.

The diagram shows the designated area for the Goal Defence.

Wing Defence (WD)
The main task of the Wing Defence is to defend the attacking moves of their opponent, the Wing Attack, at the centre pass, around the goal circle and throughout the centre and goal thirds. They should be ready at all times to pick up any tips or deflections created by the circle defenders and they also need to play a supporting back up role for the attackers down court.

Tasks

Close “one on one” defence of the Wing Attack.
Force errors, close off spaces and intercept passes.
Make attacking moves to take the ball down to the team’s goal third.
Take appropriate throw-ins / free pass / penalty pass in the centre third.
The diagram shows the designated area for the Wing Defence.

Centre (C)
The centre is the link player from the defence third to the goal third and plays an important role in both attack and defence. They are allowed to move over the whole court, except the goal circles.

Tasks

Deliver the centre pass.
Make strong attacking moves, combining with the WA to deliver the ball to the shooters.
Closely defend opposition centre player.
Combine with the Wing Defence to create pressure on the opposition at centre passes.
Take throw-ins / free pass / penalty pass in the goal third.
The diagram shows the designated area for the Centre.

Wing Attack (WA)
The main task of the Wing Attack is to deliver the ball to the Goal Shooter/Attack using a variety of attacking moves. They are allowed to move in the attacking goal third and the centre third, but not in the goal circle.

Tasks

Obtain the centre pass.
Work with the C, GA and GS on attacking strategies.
Take throw-ins / free pass / penalty pass in goal third.
Feeding the circle.
Provide close defending of the opposition WD:
at defence throw-ins.
after a turnover or interception.
at opposition centre passes.
The diagram shows the designated area for the Wing Attack.

Goal Attack (GA)
The Goal Attack shares the goal shooting responsibilities with the Goal Shooter, and is allowed to move within the goal third and centre third. The Goal Attack must also work closely with the WA on the centre pass to gain possession and feed the ball to the GS.

Tasks

Combine with the GS to offer a variety of leads in the goal circle.
Work with the C and WA to bring the ball through the centre third and goal third into the circle.
Rebound missed shots.
Provide close defending of the opposition GD:
at defence throw-ins.
after a turnover or interception.
at opposition centre passes.
The diagram shows the designated area for the Goal Attack.

Goal Shooter (GS)
The main task of the Goal Shooter is to score goals. They are allowed within the goal third only and they must have good space awareness when working in confined areas with the GA. They must also be able to execute a variety of leads and movements in order to break away from the defenders.

Tasks

Work with the GA to create a variety of leads in the goal circle.
Work with the GA, WA and C on attacking strategies in the goal third.
Rebound missed shots.
Defend closely the opposition GK:
at goal line throw-ins.
after a rebound.
after a turnover or interception.
The diagram shows the designated area for the Goal Shooter.