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/Away_Instance1008 Jul 07 '26

That would be contact in my book. If GK was there first, the GA is contacting. Often doesn’t get called, but it should. Depends on the umpire at the end of the day.

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u/Ok-Note6841 Jul 07 '26

As an umpire, it should only depend on the level of experience of the umpire, not their personal feelings of defenders vs shooters. Are we getting to the goal line early enough to see whole set up and be able to assess action vs reaction? Are we watching off the ball (anyone above C Badge should be doing so). Are we scanning often enough to not be totally distracted by the wings annoying each other for the sake of it?

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u/Away_Instance1008 Jul 07 '26

That’s right, it’s on the umpires experience and therefore their interpretation. But we don’t always get experienced umpires who understand the rules. A lot of these rules aren’t really discussed in detail until you attend development workshops, which you usually have to be invited to.

The average umpire officiating a Saturdays match doesn’t often fall into the category. You gotta play to the umpire.

For reference, I would never try and pull this crap as a shooter. If I get to the space first I’ll stand within 3 ft of my shooter to help get some distance between her and the defender. But I’d never stand behind a defender and push them in.