Rear Defence Meaning in Netball

Rear defence is a positioning technique where a defender stands behind the attacking player. This stance allows the defender to see the whole court and the movement of the ball. From this spot, the defender can jump forward to intercept a pass or contest a rebound. It is a common strategy for goal keepers who want to protect the area under the post. A goal keeper uses rear defence to watch the wing attack while still marking the shooter. This proactive position helps the defender anticipate where the ball will be thrown into the circle. It relies on the defender having a quick reaction time to beat the attacker to the ball. One real-world example features a defender reaching over the shoulder of a shooter to tip the ball.