Afl Training Techniques > Link Man in Defence

Focus

Defensive, Run & Carry, Gameplan/Strategy.

Skills

Handballing, Kick Long.

Purpose

This drill practices a switch movement while at the other end a link player executes a series of handballs to work across the ground into open space.

Players

18⁺

Ages

13⁺

Balls

1⁺

Cones

Distance (max)

90m

Setup
Place cones at (A,B,C,D,E,H,I,J), (F & G) work independently of cones, form even numbers at all stations.
Step 1
(J) starts with the ball and gives a quick handball to (A) out the backdoor.
Step 2
(A) spots up (B) with a centering kick, who plays on immediately and handballs to overlapping (C)
Step 3
(C) kicks long to leading (D) who punches the ball down for (E) to gather
Step 4
(E) starts a darting run across the ground, first with a 1-2 handball to (F), followed by a 1-2 handball to (G), then finishes by handballing to (H)

(F) and (G) don't start on cones, they need to position themselves front and square to (E)

(E) can run straight or change path to weave in between (F) and (G)
Step 5
(H) handballs infield to (I) who carries the ball before kicking long to (J) who is stationary on the cone, completing the loop

After disposal, (E) joins (F) - this requires concentration as they're handballing to (H)

Players (F) and (G) shuffle along 1 station

All other players go to the station they gave to
Step 6
Introduce a second ball after a while if there are at least 24 players.

Optionally, have a defender stay at (D) to provide a marking contest