Run, Carry, Deliver, Flood Back

Focus

Skills under pressure, Defensive, Contested ball, Hard Running, Decision Making, Run & Carry, Forward line delivery, Goalkicking, Gameplan/Strategy.

Skills

GoalKicking, Kicking, Handballing, Tackle, Shepherd.

Purpose

If a team is playing a loose man/men in defence, defenders can risk a foray down the ground to provide additional support, but when a turnover occurs, they're accountable for a player and must retreat hard back into defence.

Players

20⁺

Ages

6⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

150m

Opp. tops

50%

Visible opposition strip: 50%

Setup
Form 2 evenly matched teams of up to 10 players. For each team choose 5 attacking defenders, 2 midfielders and 3 leading forwards. Choose who starts in possession.
Step 1
Yellow team (A) must work the ball by hand and foot past 3 defenders at (B) from deep within defence.

Defenders should be looking to close down (A)'s as fast as possible - when they have time to spread they will be more difficult to cover.
Step 2
2 teammates in the midfield also provide options, however these are covered by individual defenders.

Midfield defenders shoudn't allow an easy lead from their opponent, as this is the most direct path out.

If a scrimmage/turnover occurs early on, reset starting positions and team (A) has another attempt.
Step 3
The 7 players from team (A+C) try to beat the 5 from team (B+C) until they can get a kick inside-50 to one of the 3 leading forwards at (D).

Everyone from attacking team must be forward of centre when the kick inside 50 is executed.

The forwards have no opponent - the 5 reds down their end are inactive
Step 4
Once a forward from (D) marks the ball, they play-on immediately and kick at goal. The instant the ball has gone through the goals:-

5 yellows from (A) clear out - they become inactive. Five reds at (E) - who were previously inactive - now have possession and start back the other way with a second ball.

This time it will be chaos as the quick transition will catch everyone out of position

(B)'s must run back up-field to receive inside-50
Step 5
After reds take a shot on goal or a turnover/scrimmage occurs, have a rest - players will be extremely fatigued as this is the fitness required to work both ends of the ground. Players slow jog back to position.

Start the football from the opposite end this time.

Team (B) have possession the first leg, team (A) the second.
Step 6
An interesting variation is to place a restriction on how many attackers can work downfield. Any player group from (A) who kicked inside the defensive 50 must remain inside that zone.

It will be more difficult for team (A) to attack, as the numbers will be more evenly matched

It also stops the attackers from chipping around in defence