Everything you need to know about playing – Wing Defence

Published on June 16, 2025

Wing Defence

The wing defence (WD) is one of the most dynamic positions in netball, requiring exceptional speed, agility & defensive skills. You need to be persistent, reliable and most importantly relentless. As a WD, your role is to tightly defend your opposing WA, building the pressure in the attack end that allows your teammates to take the glory when your hard work translates into an intercept.

4 key focuses to nail:

They must mark their WA, usually one of the quickest players off the mark.
Create and take intercepts
Drive the ball into attack on a turn over and back up attackers on the transverse line.
Tactically, WD’s need great vision and timing, with the smarts to execute “multiple-choice” set plays and sharp judgment to know when to commit to a possible intercept and when to play it safe.

1) A thankless job at time

Accept that “going again and again” is part of a WD’s role.
You want to be making your player have to make repeat efforts, A WD often does those hard yards, only to watch someone else take the glory, so you need to be happy with that.
Be the front line of defence for the circle defenders. The circle defenders are only as good as the protection supplied by the WD and the C.
A successful WD disrupts the play for their team makes to pull in a flying clean intercept.
NETFIT polls tell us that WD is the hardest position on the court. the acknowledgement is there.

2) Defending on a centre pass

As a WD you play an integral role in executing centre pass defensive setups.
Maintaining continual communication with your centre is vital. Verbally coordinate with them to deploy strategies like “the double” on the WA. In a double team effort, collaborate with the C to intensely double mark the WA and prevent them from freely receiving the initial pass.
Force both the WA and GA over the transverse line, high and away from each other when pressing out. Sometimes as a WD you will be required to protect the middle channel while the C presses widely.
The number one rule is to have strong hands over the ball to disturb vision and a quick release into attack.

3) Slowing down the WA

As soon as you start the game, understand the WA style of game.
Aim to force your WA high and wide towards the sideline to limit their attacking options. This allows you to dictate play.
Using an open or closed defence set up so you can delay the movement of your WA.
With closed defence, as soon as the ball is released, keep a step ahead of your WA, but at the same time you are still closing in her space,
Don’t step in too far towards the WA, as they will be able to use your body to work off you to cut and drive down the court.
Dictating the WA into the sideline channels and into the pockets takes fast and effective footwork so you can get your body in a proactive position
Quick recovery feet to set up 3ft with hands over the WA

4) Forcing WA into pockets

The WA often leads into pockets to balance the ring for the goalers to use them as feeders.
WD need to make sure that WA lead continues to lead deep into pockets and keep them their.
Once the WA is forced into the pocket, the WD can attempt to intercept the pass to the goal circle or force the WA to take a more challenging pass
If you get your timing right with elevation you can get up high and take that intercept from the WA
Work on your landing on the ring. You can do all this hard work then go offside. Or you can focus on how you land from an elevated, offline jump with balance.

5) Defending on circle edge

Defending on the circle edge can be tricky.
Increase your chances of a tip or intercept by practising this:
- Set up on the ball side of your partner on the circle edge to promote the diagonal pass.
- Using little feet, get ready to change sides when the ball is released and tip it with your outside arm (the one furthest from your attacker’s body) to avoid contact.
- Quick feet to get around the body (lunging=contact)
- Timing is everything! If you move too soon, the goaler won’t give the pass but if you move too late and you won’t be able to get there in time.

6) Throw in set ups

There are many ways your team can set up for a GK throw in. The WD plays an important role in making these set plays successful by the way they use the goal ring.

Holding space on the ring

Set up ball-side, facing the pocket.
Hold your space until the ball has been released (leaving too soon will bring your defender with you.
Make sure you turn fully and look down the court once you have caught the ball.

Try a set play – banana split

GK throw in on the goal line
WD & GD set up right beside each other at the top of circle and peel.
Head to the NETFIT App for the full video

7) Communication & Teamwork

Seamless communication & cooperation with fellow defenders is vital as a WD. You need to maintain continual verbal and nonverbal communication with the GD and C.
Call clearly for backup from defenders when requiring assistance.
Work in unison to steer attackers into making mistakes and capitalise on these errors.
Defending cohesively as a unit results in heavier pressure, tighter marking and increased forced turnovers. Use eye contact, pointing and vocal cues to stay connected to your defenders

8) Work on strength and speed

A WD is a power athlete, which also needs a strong cardio focus
Look into speed work, with nothing over 80m or for longer than 18 seconds to be powerful, quick and make repeat efforts. It’s all sprint, stop, sprint, stop.”
Look into “agility drills to move smoothly around the circle edge” and still have the strength and elevation to hold position and get in the air for intercepts in confined spaces.
We have a huge library on speed and agility sessions for our members on the NETFIT app.