Netball Bibs Explained: Positions, Sizes and Custom Options
Every netball player knows the feeling. The coach calls out the team, you grab your bib, and suddenly you know exactly where you can and can’t go. Those two letters on your chest and back do a lot of work.
Whether you’re a new coach, a PE lead kitting out a school team, or a club volunteer replacing a tired old set, this guide covers everything you need to know about netball bibs: what the letters mean, how many you need, how they should fit, and the options we offer to match your kit.
What are netball bibs for?
Netball bibs show each player’s position, so umpires, team-mates and opponents can see at a glance who is allowed where. Unlike most team sports, netball limits where every player can move on court, so the position on your bib matters as much as the number on a football shirt.
Under the World Netball Rules, position initials must be 150 mm (6 inches) high, clearly visible, and worn above the waist, front and back. A traditional bib does that with letters printed on a tabard that goes over the player’s kit. Leagues and schools can add their own kit rules, so check with yours before match day.
The seven netball positions
A netball team has seven players on court, each with a position and set areas of the court they’re allowed in.
| Position | Bib | Where they can go | Main job |
| Goal Shooter | GS | Attacking third, including the goal circle | Main scorer. Finds space in the circle and shoots. |
| Goal Attack | GA | Centre and attacking thirds, including the goal circle | Scores and feeds the shooter. |
| Wing Attack | WA | Centre and attacking thirds, not the goal circle | Feeds the ball into the circle. |
| Centre | C | Anywhere except the goal circles | Takes the centre pass and links defence to attack. |
| Wing Defence | WD | Centre and defensive thirds, not the goal circle | Marks the opposition Wing Attack. |
| Goal Defence | GD | Centre and defensive thirds, including the goal circle | Marks the opposition Goal Attack. |
| Goal Keeper | GK | Defensive third, including the goal circle | Last line of defence. Marks the Goal Shooter. |
How many bibs do you need?
Bibs belong to positions, not players. A full set is seven bibs, one for each position, and players swap them when they change position or come on as a substitute. A netball squad can have up to 12 players, but only seven are on court at once, so one set covers a full match.
Most clubs and schools find one set isn’t quite enough:
- Two sets in different colours let you run training matches within your own squad, or swap if your colours clash with the opposition.
- One set per team saves a lot of hunting around on a busy tournament day when several of your teams play at once.
- A spare or two covers the bib that goes home in someone’s kit bag and never comes back.
Getting the size right: juniors to adults
A bib that’s too big flaps around, twists and hides the letters. One that’s too small rides up and pulls tight over the dress. Neither helps your players or the umpire. Look for a fit that:
- Sits flat over the playing dress or top, with the letters facing forwards and backwards.
- Stays above the waist when players jump, land and pivot.
- Doesn’t restrict arm movement for passing and shooting.
- Leaves the full letters visible, even on smaller junior sizes.
If you coach several age groups, keep separate junior and adult sets. A bib that fits a senior Goal Keeper will swamp an under-11 Centre.
Netball bibs from Decathlon Club
We supply netball bibs in a range of colours, so you can pick a set that matches your club or school kit, or a contrasting colour for training matches. Whether you need one set for a new team or several sets for a whole school, we’ll help you choose the right colours, sizes and quantities.
| Need netball bibs? Tell us how many teams you’re kitting out, the colours you’re after and the age groups you coach. Our team will come back to you with options and pricing. Contact us to discuss bibs → |
The custom option: position patches that match your kit
Prefer something built into your kit? Bibs sit over the top of the dresses you’ve designed so carefully, and they have a habit of going missing. That’s why many teams choose position patches instead.
Our Netball Position Patches come in a set of 14, so you have all seven positions for the front and back. They attach with Velcro, so players can swap positions in seconds during a game, and they’re designed to match your kit rather than cover it. No loose bibs, no clashing colours, and a team that looks the part from the first centre pass.
| Item | Price (excl. VAT) | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Netball Position Patches (x14) | £35.00 | £42.00 |
| Netball Dress Standard Sublimated | £24.50 | £29.40 |
| Netball Dress Premium Sublimated | £31.00 | £37.20 |
| Netball Vest Sublimated | £15.75 | £18.90 |
| Netball Skort Sublimated | £22.50 | £27.00 |
Prices per item. Your design, badge and personalisation are included at no extra cost.
Because our dresses and vests are fully sublimated, your colours and design are part of the fabric, so they won’t crack or fade. Find out more in our guide to sublimation printing.
Bibs for junior netball
Younger players often start with High 5, a five-a-side version of the game for primary-age children. Players rotate through different positions and take turns on the bench, so the bibs change hands a lot during a session.
That’s where position patches earn their place. Instead of pulling bibs over heads between periods, players swap a patch and get straight back on court. For schools, our netball kit guide for schools covers ordering for several teams and year groups at once.
Looking after your bibs and patches
- Fasten Velcro patches to each other, or remove them, before washing, so they don’t snag other kit.
- Wash on a cool cycle and air dry. Skip the tumble dryer.
- Store each set together in its own bag, labelled with the team name.
- Count them back in after every match. It’s the easiest way to stop sets shrinking over the season.
How to order custom netball kit with position patches
1. Design your kit. Use our online kit designer or work with our in-house design team, at no extra cost.
2. Choose your garments. Pick standard or premium dresses, vests and skorts, in men’s, women’s and junior sizes and fits.
3. Add position patches. One set of 14 per team covers all seven positions, front and back.
4. Place your order. Your first order has a low minimum of 5 items. After that, there’s no minimum, so you can add patches or players whenever you need to.
| Kit out your netball team Design dresses, vests and position patches that match. Free design, all-inclusive pricing, and junior to adult sizes. Need bibs as well? Contact us and we’ll help. Design your netball kit → |
Planning a full kit refresh? Read our custom netball dress guide for design ideas for the 2026/27 season.
FAQs
How many bibs are in a netball set?
A full set has seven bibs, one for each position: GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD and GK. Our position patches come in a set of 14 so you have each position for the front and back.
What do the letters on netball bibs mean?
They show each player’s position: Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Wing Attack (WA), Centre (C), Wing Defence (WD), Goal Defence (GD) and Goal Keeper (GK). Each position can only go in certain areas of the court.
Do netball positions have to be shown on the front and back?
Yes. Under the World Netball Rules, position initials must be 150 mm (6 inches) high, clearly visible, and worn above the waist on the front and back. Check your league or school competition for any extra kit rules.
Can you use position patches instead of bibs?
In many competitions, yes, as long as the initials are the right size and visible front and back. Patches attach to your kit with Velcro, so they match your colours and can be swapped quickly. Check with your league before your first match.
Do you sell netball bibs?
Yes. We supply netball bibs in a range of colours, from single sets to bibs for several teams. Contact us to discuss colours, sizes and quantities.
What is the minimum order for custom netball kit?
Your first order has a minimum of 5 items. After that, there’s no minimum, so you can order extra patches, dresses or sizes whenever you need them.