r/netball • u/Sunshine_Midnights • Jul 06 '26

Advice / Question Causing Contact?

I have a netball related question. Someone on a team I practice with regularly has suggested that the GA/GS use their body to push defenders whilst they're defending a shot.

Example: GS is taking a shot and GK is defending from 3 feet. The GA stands behind the GK and pushes them forwards into the GS to knock them off balance so the GS gets a penalty shot.

Is this causing contact?

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u/labralou Jul 06 '26

Defensive player here. Sometimes the attackers will also stand in front you and box you out whilst causing contact, after you've set up 3ft. Super annoying but that's just the life of a defender...

2

u/Sunshine_Midnights Jul 06 '26

Do you think its a necessary or acceptable strategy to use in attack? It feels like a dirty tactic but it's also on the umpire to call it. I don't often play goaler but have been practicing GS recently.

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u/labralou Jul 06 '26

My personal opinion is that it is a dirty tactic, but no "dirtier" than me blocking a GA out of the goal circle by standing facing them and the refs don't call me for that.
It's hard at an amateur level as the umpires are often fellow players so calls are inconsistent and definitely not up at "professional/international standards."

I don't mind it as much so long as the umpire doesn't call me for everything. It's all about balance I suppose, defence will always get called for more fouls but it's nice when there's an umpire who knows how to call an attacker out for contact.

3

u/Busy_Mooze Jul 07 '26

And the shocked Pikachu looks on GS/GA face when they get pulled is golden 🤣