Sweepers

Focus

Defensive, Contested ball, Decision Making, Run & Carry, Forward line delivery, Gameplan/Strategy.

Skills

Kicking, Handballing, Tackle, Shepherd, Mark Contest.

Purpose

Effective use of a loose person in defence can make rebound play possible; also plug spaces in front of forwards.

Players

22⁺

Ages

16⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

100m

Opp. tops

50%

Visible opposition strip: 50%

Setup
Have 4v5 to 7v8 per half, depending on numbers. Each team has a sweeper (A) in opposing halves without an opponent, every other player has a direct opponent. Players are confined to their half of the oval, and no player may enter the 25m wide no-go zone. Sweepers are banned from bouncing so cannot run more than 15m.
Step 1
Choose a team to start as attackers. Using the sweeper as the loose player, work the ball out of defense by hand and foot (normal rules apply). Tackling is allowed except on the sweeper.
Step 2
The idea is to get a kick across the no-go zone and find a player. A successful kick across the no-go central zone is awarded 1 point.

Considered a success if their teammate controls and disposes of the ball cleanly
Step 3
If the attacking team score a point, they continue in possession. They must have 3 possessions in that half before they can kick back over the no-go zone to score another point.

Teams need to keep score out loud
Step 4
If a scrimmage/turnover occurs, the defenders and attackers swap roles and the game continues.
Step 5
As a progression, you may have the sweepers enter either half - however sweeper 1 cannot tackle sweeper 2.
Step 6
Focus on different things a sweeper can do, such as block space in front of the marking targets when defending, or create wide a switch option when in possession