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Five Point Margin, Dying Minutes

Focus
Skills under pressure, Defensive, Contested ball, Decision Making, Forward line delivery, Stoppages, Gameplan/Strategy.
Skills
GoalKicking, Kicking, Handballing, Tackle, Shepherd, Ruck, Crumb, Mark Contest.
Purpose
Match conditions simulating a 5-point margin in the dying minutes. From differing team perspectives: one is 5-points up and must set-up structures to retain possession. The team trailing must win back possession by forcing a 50-50 contest.
group
Players
20+
profile
Ages
15+
ball
Balls
1
cone
Cones
0
distance
Distance (max)
160m
opptop
group-arrow
icon-opptop2
Opp. tops
50%
opptop
arrow
opptop
Visible opposition strip: 50%
  • Setup

    Form 2 evenly matched teams of 10-14 players each. Split on-ballers, forwards and defenders between the teams. Give one team a 5-point lead and possession from a kick-in (yellow in this instance). Choose between 1-3 minutes remaining - obviously the longer the time, the more likely a score. Tell players the situation they're in, and challenge them to set-up accordingly.
  • Step 1

    Coach calls out the remaining time left to play - 2 minutes is about the norm - and starts the countdown timer. Team (A - yellow) have possession and must starve (B) of a scoring opportunity. Team (B - red) must win the ball back, but also can't afford to let (A) score again, as the match will be effectively out of reach.
    Take note of the way players instinctively set-up without instruction
    Start the contest and watch it unfold, then discuss their chosen formations.
  • Step 2

    Team (A) have 2 choices - the first and most preferable in dry conditions is to play short to retain possession.
    If (A) choose to retain possession, your dead-eye kicks must be the only ones leading in the vicinity. Hit as many short leads as possible to get the ball over the 50m arc, thereby avoid bombing to a 50-50
    (A) should play around the boundary, not in the corridor unless a player is all alone. Once everyone is covered short directly ahead, look sideways and behind for options - it's okay to go backwards and sideways to find free players and chew up more clock.
    This is of course rarely an option considered in very wet weather.
  • Step 3

    Team (A)'s second choice, is to kick the ball long. They'll have to do this when everyone short is covered. In doing so, hug the boundary as much as possible.
    Team (A) should get as many bodies around the dropzone as possible, to, at minimum, cause a stoppage.
    The proximity to the boundary reduces attacking space for the opposition
    Cover the opposition lurking free through the corridor
  • Step 4

    Team (B) need to win the ball back, so push everyone up and form a zone defence.
    Once the long kick is executed, a great strategy to make something happen is for a tall to punch the ball forward - it can easily end up in the hands of a loose red who can set-up a score.
    Above all, team (B) can't let their opponent chew up easy clock. They must create a rolling zone to cover space after every kick, alert one another of approaching players, and force (A) to kick to a contest.
    If possession is gained, look to switch to use the open space rather than bomb back into congestion.
  • Step 5

    Play out the match. You'll need to umpire and stop the timer for stoppages for shorter games, if you can manage.
    If either team scores (a goal OR behind), the other team get possession from a kick-in at the same end (no centre bounce).
    Obviously the strategy of teams will reverse is there is a lead change, so players must quickly get into a different mindset.
  • Step 6

    In consecutive turns, start from different positions on the field such as the back flank/pocket.
More Drills
demo
play
video
Groups of
group
group-arrow
icon-group
8
Ages
profile
13 +
Balls/grp
ball
1
Cones
cone
1
Distance (max)
distance
15m
Focus
Skills under pressure, Run & Carry.
Skills
Shepherd, Crumb.
demo
play
video
Players
group
16+
Ages
profile
11 +
Balls
ball
1+
Cones
cone
4
Distance (max)
distance
80m
Focus
Hard Running, Front & Square.
Skills
Handballing, Kick Long, Shepherd.
demo
play
video
Players
group
20+
Ages
profile
13 +
Balls
ball
6+
Cones
cone
6
Distance (max)
distance
160m
Focus
Hard Running, Front & Square, Forward line delivery, Goalkicking.
Skills
GoalKicking, Kicking, Handballing, Crumb.
play
video
Players
group
15+
Ages
profile
10 +
Balls
ball
1
Cones
cone
0
Distance (max)
distance
120m
Focus
Skills under pressure, Hard Running, Decision Making, Run & Carry.
Skills
Kicking, Handballing, Tackle, Shepherd.
play
video
Groups of
group
group-arrow
icon-group
12
Ages
profile
14 +
Balls/grp
ball
1
Cones
cone
6
Distance (max)
distance
100m
Focus
Forward line delivery.
Skills
Kicking.
play
video
Players
group
10+
Ages
profile
15 +
Balls
ball
1
Cones
cone
5
Distance (max)
distance
65m
Focus
Goalkicking, Gameplan/Strategy.
Skills
GoalKicking, Handball Quick.
drill
Players
group
20+
Ages
profile
15 +
Balls
ball
1
Cones
cone
0
Distance (max)
distance
80m
Focus
Decision Making, Gameplan/Strategy.
Skills
Kicking, Handball Quick.
drill
Groups of
group
group-arrow
icon-group
8
Ages
profile
16 +
Balls/grp
ball
1
Cones
cone
0
Distance (max)
distance
30m
Focus
Stoppages, Gameplan/Strategy.
Skills
Ruck, Crumb.
Drill Search
Focus Area
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Categories
Skills
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