Kick to Forward Options

Focus

Decision Making, Forward line delivery, Goalkicking.

Skills

GoalKicking, Kicking, Crumb, Mark Contest.

Purpose

From the centre square, quick handball can release a player who may have several leading forward options. This drill practices using quick hands in a congested centre square, and then good decision making to select the forward in the best position to receive and score.

Difficulty

Players

18⁺

Balls

3⁺

Cones

Setup
Set out 4 cones in centre of ground, approx. 20m apart, then forward options inside 50m arc.
Step 1
8 players (4 v 4), defenders in alternate guernsey, line up in specific spots inside 50m arc

Coach to determine the forward setup

Alternate guernsey players are defenders
Step 2
Rest of the players start inside 4 cones in centre square

players move anywhere inside 4 cones

players handball to each other using quick hands
Step 3
Coach shouts `Break!`, all players with a ball at that moment run, steady and kick to the best leading forward option

Players with a ball react quickley, kick to best option

Other players provide a shepherd

Forward options move to pre-determined spot
Step 4
Defenders attempt to punch the ball away
Step 5
If a player marks or gathers the ball, they can attempt a shot on goal
Step 6
Coach needs to be thinking what the best options are on a gameday, and recreate that structure
Step 7
Players who are kicking must put the ball to the advantage of forward options