Is it ok to defend as GK with leg sticking out behind?

Netball CoachCoach

It depends. If your leg is in the air balancing before the GA is their for rebounds, than yes. But if you bring your leg up to balance and kick the GA then you are contacting. Does that make sense?

Netball CoachCoach

yes it is ok but if she contacts an attacking player behind her its a penalty against her but why is the ga standing behind the defender shoulde be waiting for a rebound next to defender

Netball CoachCoach

If that leg is preventing the GA from free movement then I would penalise it as OBSTRUCTION.

Janet Coach, Australia

From an umpring perspective my interpretation is that any player may adopt a stance to help balance while defending a shot or pass and, if in position first with leg slightly extended or bent and raised to gain balance or height, any contact by opposition after this stance has been established is a contact call against the opposition.  If, however, an opposition player is kicked/knocked while assuming this stance the contact call is against the player doing the kicking.  If the leg is so far extended that it appears the intent is to prevent another player's movement rather than being extended for balance, it would certainly be an obstruction call.  I would think that correct coaching and practice of defence stance should not lead to any issues and if you are stopping a GA from getting in behind you she would need to find somewhere else to go for the rebound. When the shot has been made surely you will have turned around to face up to the goal ring ready to contest the rebound anyway and your leg wouldn't be sticking out anymore.