Spread the Defence

Focus

Skills under pressure, Defensive, Hard Running, Decision Making, Run & Carry, Forward line delivery, Gameplan/Strategy.

Skills

Kicking, Handballing, Tackle, Mark Contest.

Purpose

Opposition teams tend to drop a kick behind the ball down the line to force a on-on-one contest. A common tactic used by AFL teams to combat this is to switch to the open side to open up the defence. This drill employs switching to create open space for players to work the ball downfield, then a kick to a forward leading to the fat side.

Players

12⁺

Ages

6⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

160m

Opp. tops

Visible opposition strip: 5

Setup
Four yellow attackers and two red defenders start at one end within the 50m arc, with one yellow kicking out from full-back. Three attackers and three defenders start in the 50m arc at the opposite end.
Step 1
The full-back kicks in to one of the 3 attackers, while the 2 red defenders apply pressure.
Step 2
The player receiving from the kick-in (A) MUST switch to the opposite side of the ground. The full-back now presents to become an option for the next kick.

After the switch, the players at the opposite end of the ground must move to that side of the arc the ball was switched to, i.e. area (C).
Step 3
The four attackers move the ball down the line, avoiding the 2 red defenders who attempt to effect a turnover.

Deliver to the leading forwards who will mark outside 50

Ideally one should 'play higher' and lead further up the ground, whilst the other makes the second lead.

After delivering, attackers keep running to provide infield handball options
Step 4
A rule is that one of the leading forwards must receive a pass, not just the loose players who've run from defence. For the final kick inside 50, try to deliver to the 'fat side', as this is where the space to lead will be, and the angle of the shot will be much better

Opposite side to which the ball progressed down the field, i.e. area (D); same side as the kick-out from full-back

This kick is easier when taken by an inside runner, as they'll be running towards the target
Step 5
Optionally the forward can take a shot at goal. Reset from the opposite end, and repeat back up the ground. If you have 24 players, rotate them after the return journey.