Shot Outside 50 Zone Setup

Focus

Defensive, Gameplan/Strategy.

Skills

Kick Long, Mark Contest.

Purpose

Having studied the way AFL clubs setup, here is a typical zone to use when an opponent has gone back for a set shot outside 50. If players have time to setup, each player can stand in a fixed outpost, otherwise you'll need a team leader to organise people to fill zone outposts.

Players

20⁺

Ages

6⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

60m

Opp. tops

Visible opposition strip: 5

Setup
Have a defending team consisting of 14 players. Everyone else can be an attacker, give these players a different coloured strip and start them inside the square. Defending half-forward line, wings and on-ballers also start inside the square. Half-back and full-back lines start spread across the 50m arc.
Step 1
Coach kicks a high ball to (A) to jumps and marks just outside the 50m mark.

Attackers, and defending half-forwards and midfielders run inside 50 as (A) marks and goes back for the shot.
Step 2
Players should organise the zone as per the diagram. Arrange in roughly a 7-3-2-1 formation

7 around the goal mouth

3 in the next line, covering equal space

2 in the next line, quite central
Step 3
If ruck can't get to the goal square in time, they need to call to the CHB to get there, and stand the mark.

If ruck stands the mark, beware of a nimble small feigning a kick and running around them to get within range.
Step 4
(A)'s team mates run inside the 50 to provide options while defenders cover anyone entering their area of the zone. (A) can try to find one with a kick, or take a shot of they think they can make the distance. Defenders must cut off any pass, mark, or punch over the line.
Step 5
Attackers are outnumbered and should never score. If someone is found with a pass, work out who should have covered the player and adjust zone if necessary.