NetSetGO is structured around three progressive stages. Here's what to focus on at each one, with drills that build real netball skill without losing the fun.
Netball positions explained
Every netball team has seven players, and each position has its own letters and its own part of the court. Here is one team attacking towards the left-hand goal.
- GS
- Goal Shooter: the main scorer. Stays in the attacking third and goal circle.
- GA
- Goal Attack: feeds the shooter and shoots too. Attacking third, centre third and goal circle.
- WA
- Wing Attack: feeds the ball into the circle. Attacking third and centre third, not the circle.
- C
- Centre: links defence to attack and takes the centre pass. Anywhere except the two goal circles.
- WD
- Wing Defence: marks the other team's Wing Attack. Defending third and centre third, not the circle.
- GD
- Goal Defence: wins turnovers and pressures the ball. Defending third, centre third and goal circle.
- GK
- Goal Keeper: guards the shooter in the circle. Defending third and goal circle.
For younger kids, rotate everyone through every position. They learn the game faster, and nobody gets stuck on the sideline of the action.
Understanding the three stages
NetSetGO is Netball Australia's entry-level program, broken into Net, Set and GO stages as kids progress from roughly age 5 through to 10. Each stage builds on the last, using a size 4 netball throughout, with goal posts starting at 2.4m and rising to the full 3.05m height by the GO stage.
The Net stage is almost entirely about fundamental movement and ball familiarity. By the GO stage, kids are playing modified games with real positional structure.
Net stage drills (youngest kids)
1. Catch and call
Kids form a circle, calling a teammate's name before throwing. Builds basic catching confidence and court awareness in a low-pressure format.
2. Footwork freeze
Kids dribble-step (no actual dribbling in netball, but practice the landing footwork) and freeze on a whistle, checking they've landed correctly on one foot before pivoting. Builds the footwork foundation netball depends on.
Set stage drills (building skills)
3. Triangle passing
Three kids form a triangle, passing in sequence while calling the receiver's name. Introduces chest passes and overhead passes with a clear, repeatable pattern.
4. Shadow defence
Pairs practice basic marking — one child holds the ball while their partner practices a legal defensive distance, without contact. Builds early positional sense.
GO stage drills (game-ready)
5. Modified mini match
Small-sided games (4v4 or 5v5) on a reduced court, with simplified positions. This is where everything from the Net and Set stages comes together, and it's usually the part kids look forward to most.
Structuring a session by stage
A good rule of thumb: spend more time on isolated skill drills at the Net stage, shifting that balance toward game-based play as kids progress:
- Net stage — most of the session on isolated skill drills (catching, footwork)
- Set stage — a more even mix of skill drills and modified game play
- GO stage — around 15 min skill refreshers, then 30 min modified match play
These drills are general suggestions — always adapt them to your group's age, ability and the conditions on the day.
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