The present invention provides an image processing method or the like for a game device, in which a ball game involving putting a ball into a goal is executed, and in which more realistic game development can be constructed. An image processing method is carried out in which, in a game device, a ball game of putting a ball into a goal is executed by displaying images of a self-character, a plurality of own-team characters, and a plurality of opponent characters moving in a virtual space, and while a ball holder BH, which is an opponent character, is in possession of the ball, a self-character 20 is caused to move to a delay defense area 27, which is a region located separated, by a second distance (for example 2 m), from a position a first distance away (target position, 3 m) from the ball holder BH on a course line 23 connecting the ball holder BH and a goal G in response to pressing of a delay defense button, which is a single input operation of operation means (controller) operated by a game player (player).