Marking Contest 4-on-2

Focus

Front & Square, Run & Carry.

Skills

Tackle, Kick Long, Shepherd, Handball Quick, Crumb, Mark Contest.

Purpose

Players must judge the ball's trajectory to predict where the best place to crumb a marking contest will be. This drill teaches players good positioning when crumbing a marking contest, and running in numbers to draw opponents and get past them.

Players

20⁺

Ages

15⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

100m

Opp. tops

Visible opposition strip: 4

Setup
Choose 2 players to contest the mark in a 20m x 20m square at each end
Step 1
Start by kicking to one of the marking contests

If a mark is taken, the player handballs to whoever is in the best position out of (A)(B)(C) and (D), who are running past

If the ball is spoiled, (A)(B)(C) or (D) crumb the ball
Step 2
(A)(B)(C) and (D) work the ball forward with handball and try to get past defenders (E) and (F) by drawing them and handballing, or dummying

Players without the ball should shepherd teammates
Step 3
Once past (E) and (F), either (A)(B)(C) or (D), under direction from their teammates, steadies and kicks long to marking contest in second square

The ball must land in the square, treat the kick between the cones as a kick for goal
Step 4
The play is repeated in second square and the ball is brought back by (G)(H)(J) and (K) past defenders (L) and (M)