Marking Contest Middle

Focus

Hard Running, Front & Square.

Skills

Kicking, Handballing, Crumb, Mark Contest.

Purpose

Correct positioning front and square in front of a marking contest is a skill; players must be first to the drop of the ball when it spills to regain possession. This drill practices accurate disposal and gut running to the correct position for the next contest.

Players

12⁺

Ages

9⁺

Balls

1⁺

Cones

Distance (max)

160m

Setup
Start with 1 ball; introduce an additional ball if you have 24+ players. Choose a marking forward and defender to start in the centre, other players spread out evenly in pairs at stations (A to D).
Step 1
Pair (A) starts; player with the ball waits for their partner to run into space and uses them by foot (or hand occasionally). Partner (A) takes and plays on, before steadying and kicking a lofted kick to the marking contest in the middle.

Players in the middle don't lead

If a player in the marking contest marks, they backpedal and wait for the runners to arrive

If the ball spills from the contest, the players contesting the mark stop competing immediately
Step 2
Both (A)'s must sprint hard to get front and square to the marking contest after disposal. One player gathers and can optionally handball to their partner before the ball is kicked one of the pair who are both leading from station (B)
Step 3
The player who marks at (B) backpedals, simulating taking a defensive mark whilst their partner sprints to space to become the next option, who is used by foot. They then play-on before kicking high into the marking contest in the middle
Step 4
After the kick, both (B)'s sprint to get front and square to the marking contest. One player gathers and can optionally handball to their partner before the ball is kicked one of the pair who are both leading from station (C)
Step 5
The drill continues in this manner, with (C) moving the ball through the center to (D), and (D) through the center then back to (A).

The pattern is (1) diagonally across the square, (2) down the line
Step 6
After a couple of minutes, swap the players in marking contest. If you have 24+ players, introduce an additional football (you will need 2 marking pairs in the middle).
Step 7
For increased difficulty you may choose to have a defender covering each station. In this situation, the player who marks at station (A to D) can play-on after backpedalling.