Small Target Squares

Focus

Hard Running, Front & Square, Run & Carry, Goalkicking.

Skills

GoalKicking, Kicking, Handballing, Ruck, Crumb, Mark Contest.

Purpose

Multiple skills are tested in this drill which focuses on accurate kicking to targets/leads/goal/switch, support at marking contests, and running to receive.

Players

18⁺

Ages

11⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

130m

Setup
Set out 5m squares outside 2 corners of the centre square. 6 players start at (B) (C) (D). These are separate trios operating on opposite sides of the oval. Remaining players line up in pairs at stations (A) and (E).
Step 1
(A1) starts by kicking out from full-back to (B) who is leading wide from midfield. (A1)'s kick must land inside the small coned-marked square for (B) to run-onto and mark.
Step 2
(C) and (D) must get around marking (B) and provide crumbing support, or a handball receive. (C) and (D) each touch the ball before handballing to either (A1 or A2) who have come up the ground from full-back.

(A)'s look to run past on the outer side, as this is where more space will be available in a game situation
Step 3
Receiving (A) runs and hits leading (E1) with a long kick. (E1) then switches with a kick to partner (E2)
Step 4
(E2) kicks into the other small square, where second (B C D) mark, share the ball and dish off and handball to either (E1 or E2), who have run down to receive.

(E)'s should run past infield, making their shot on goal easier
Step 5
(E1 or E2) then kick the goal on the run.
Step 6
After a couple of minutes, swap the 6 crumbing players in middle (B, C, D) with players from (A, E).
Step 7
Optionally, introduce defenders who start alongside (B) and provide a marking contest with that player. The defender can either cease involvement after the marking contest, or provide a 3-on-1.