Setup
This drill we be practiced from both wings. Choose your 3 x first change on-ballers, your centre, your 2 wings, and 2 half-forward flanks. Choose an opposition ruck but someone your 1st ruck can dominate. One HFF sits out each time...when moving to the opposite wing later in the drill, you'll bring in the HFF who plays the other side.
Step 1
Everyone must learn their starting position. We'll start with the left side of the ground where the Ruck Rover is boundary side.
The HFF that plays right-side sits out
The setup effectively looks like a cross
Step 2
Key points about the setup:-
If you have a left/right combo for (RR - RO), play your left-footer boundary side
(RR - RO) same-sided then Rover plays through the middle, Ruck Rover boundary side
HFF - Plays forward of the ball for a knock forward by the ruck. If possession is won by teammates, HFF sprints into the forward line.
Step 3
More key points about the setup:-
Centre - Plays defensive side
Wing 1 - plays defensive side, additional cover behind (C)
Wing 2 - moves into the centre to link-up with (RO - C) looking to get on the end of a handball chain.
Step 4
Players must learn the HIT ZONES which are simply "ONE" for a tap forward, or "TWO" for a defensive tap. The diagram example shows hits to boundary-side attacking ( 1 ) and boundary-side defensive ( 2 ), but the ruck could equally have chosen the (1 & 2) positions infield
Players shouldn't call for the ball if they are out-of-position. Too many voices will confuse the ruck as to which the best option is.
If your ruck if dominating, hits forward ("ONE"s) are the sensible option
Later when a better opposition ruck is introduced, switch things up by turning away from goal and hit defensive side ("TWO"s). Defensive side hit-out needs weight of numbers behind-the-ball
Step 5
Practice by having 3 ball-ups from different places outside-50 on the left half of the oval. Start with no opposition players apart from the opposition ruckman. Practice hitting to different players.
The key at this stage is to learn the structures without pressure.
Once the tap occurs, require 1 or 2 quick very handballs be given between players around the ball
No kicking at this stage
Step 6
Swap to the right-side of the ground, interchange your HFF's and repeat 3 times.
If both (RR - RO) are same-sided, this time Rover plays boundary side (less ground to cover to get into position).
The diagram shows one boundary-side and one corridor tap, but any direction is fine
Step 7
Progression 1: Introduce 3 opposition (C - RR - RO) and your most competitive (R)
Now we're but simulating game-like conditions, while still giving the attacking team the advantage through weight-of-numbers
Have an assistant or forward who can receive a kick from an effective clearance
If the 4-player team win the ball, stop play immediately.
Step 8
Progression 2: Introduce 3 more opposition (W x 2, HBF)
Now it's a game-based drill with even numbers.