Marking and Crumbing Threes

Focus

Front & Square, Decision Making, Run & Carry, Forward line delivery, Goalkicking.

Skills

GoalKicking, Kicking, Handballing, Crumb, Mark Contest.

Purpose

The best ball winners will have a natural instinct for where the ball is likely to drop from a marking contest, and will be in the best position to crumb or run past. This drill lets players work on positioning around a marking contest and kicking to a leading target.

Difficulty

Players

17⁺

Balls

Cones

Setup
Groups of 3 at each of the 6 central stations. 2 players in each goalsquare. Depending on numbers, you can optionally remove 1 player from the goalsquare at each end (no F3 or F4); also you may leave out group (C4) and have (C2) work both ways. Extras spread between crumbing stations (C1 to C4).
Step 1
(F1) kicks to non-leading group of 3 at (M1) who contest the mark. Optionally you may make this a 2-on-1 situation (hand out an opposition strip)
Step 2
(M1) compete in the air, then handball to a runner from (C1) if a mark is taken, or spoil the ball to stop their opponent from marking, or block for their teammate if 2-on-1

Once the ball spills to the ground, (M1) players stop competing immediately and allow (C1) to gather.

(C1) must judge the flight and predict the likely drop-zone or place to receive
Step 3
(C1) receiver steadies then kicks to (M2) threesome for the next marking contest.

(C1) then join (C2) - all crumbers move to the next crumbing station

(M1) stay put - as does the other marking three (M2) once they compete
Step 4
(M2) competes as per (M1) and (C2) get front and square as per (C1)
Step 5
(C2) receiver steadies then kicks to leading (F2).
Step 6
If (F3) is active they restart with a kick-out while (F2) takes a set shot, otherwise (F2) returns to the goalsquare to kick-out to (M2)
Step 7
Going back the other way, (C3) and (C4) become crumbers for the same marking players at (M2) and (M1) respectively

Although the diagram demonstrates a circular pattern of play, (C1 to C3) can receive left or right of (M1) and (M2)
Step 8
Optionally change the marking players after several minutes