Go Wide, Switch Inside

Focus

Defensive, Hard Running, Run & Carry, Forward line delivery.

Skills

Kick Long, Handball Long.

Purpose

To find a clear path to attack often relies on a switch in defense to start the movement. This drill practices a switch to a defender who has run forward to accept the switch, while also developing movement out of defense using handball options.

Players

18⁺

Ages

15⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

110m

Opp. tops

Visible opposition strip: 2

Setup
Even numbers at stations (A - H). Pick 2 defenders who patrol (and must remain) in the boxed area, right hand side of the oval, defensive half.
Step 1
Coach kicks a high ball to (A) to jumps and marks, simulating a defensive mark, then backpedals.
Step 2
(B) provides a long, infield handball option for (A); followed by a second long handball from (B) to runner (C).

(B & C) run hard and gain as much distance as possible by spreading across the ground.
Step 3
(C) runs their full distance before kicking to (D) who leads at 45 degrees from the center.
Step 4
(D) marks, backpedals and sees (F)'s path is covered by defenders, so (E) provides run from the full-back to accept the switch kick from (D)

Emphasise this is a dangerous kick that players need to execute well
Step 5
(E) marks and takes off hard to gain distance. Now (F) is able to find space by leading across the ground.
Step 6
(F) marks, backpedals and hearing a call from (G) running past, handballs to that runner.
Step 7
(G) kicks long down the wing to (H) who has lead from the middle.
Step 8
(H) marks, plays on, then kicks a high ball to (A)'s cone - (A) doesn't lead and leaps to take a simulated defensive mark.
Step 9
Progression: To turn up the heat, defenders must be start inside the square when (D) has the ball, but after (D) kicks, can exit to apply pressure to (E & F).

Rotate defenders after several minutes