TEAM PLAY AND TACTICS IN AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Phiv Demetriou Level 2 Coach Community Development Manager – Northern Region AFL Victoria

2 Team Play A recognisable/predictable standard or style of play adopted by the coach which suits his/her football philosophy. Suits the strengths and weaknesses of the team Activity: Describe the style Geelong – Malcolm Blight Western Bulldogs – Rodney Eade West Coast Eagles – Michael Malthouse Sydney – Paul Roos

3 Team Rules/Values Non negotiable Week in, week out Predictable Player involvement Activity: List some team rules Defence Midfield Forwards

4 Team Rules Collingwood FC 1990 Punch from Behind No U Turns Under Pressure in defence – wide and long If in doubt – long to advantage No Forward Handballs Kick to the Hot Spot Straight Line the Ball

5 Tactics Measures or changes made to Team Play on a game to game basis taking into account playing conditions, opposition, own team, result Activity: List some tactics

6 Anatomy Of Team Play Zones DEFENCE MIDFIELD FORWARD DEFENCE MIDFIELD FORWARD

7 The Corridor The Corridor is that area of the ground within which most play is focused. It is by nature a strategic advantage to use whether defending or attacking

8 Lines Goal to Goal Line Line that splits the ground into two equal halves Contest Line A direct line across the ground in line with the ball support players should start behind this line ready to create or defend Workline Imaginary line between ball and goals at either end

9 Fat and Thin Side Thin Side That side of the ground between the ball and the closer boundary line. Thin SideFat Side That side of the ground between the ball and the farther boundary.

10 STANDARD PATTERNS OF PLAY DEFENCE “Space Misers” Predictable/Disciplined Corridor Side of Opponent Spoil to Boundary Direct ball out of “Corridor” or “Danger Zone” Congest Area Defend Workline Risk?? DANGER ZONE

11 DEFENCE ZONE TACTICS DEFENSIVE  Drop back ruckman  Sweeper  Flood  Stoppages  Kick outs ATTACKING  Run/Set Up Play  Switch  Kick Outs

12 STANDARD PATTERNS OF PLAY MID FIELD “Space Invaders” 3 Way Players “Engine Room” Create/Disposal Numbers Straight Running Kickers Ability to look long and deliver well Set Plays -Centre Square/others Best Scrimmage Players- “earn the right to play in the centre bounce!” WORK ZONE

13 MIDFIELD ZONE TACTICS DEFENSIVE Tagging Flooding Cover Congestion Release backman ATTACKING Rotations Forward set-ups Onballer release 3rd Man up

14 STANDARD PATTERNS OF PLAY FORWARD “Space Creators” Leading (Dummy Leads) Kick Goals Defend and Retain Opportunistic Creative Extrovert Move forward to Carrier Set ups Goals through corridor SCORING ZONE “3 SEC RULE” NO GO

15 FORWARD ZONE TACTICS ATTACKING Rotations Isolation Set Ups eg 2 in square 3 rd man up Goals through corridor Goals from stoppages Opposition Kick Ins – 7 point plays DEFENSIVE ‘ Wall” Open Workline Zones -12,15,18 Man on Man Kick outs – 1 st per quarter a spear kick

16 Standard Tactics Centre Square Man on Man Role Playing- Ruck, Rover, Sweeper, Blocker Peripheral Set Ups - Clear Out/ Congest Go to players – team knows who they are and wingmen know their role as do rotating midfielders

17 Standard Tactics Boundary Throw Ins Forward Zone - tap behind contest line or tap to back of ruck contest, 3rd man up etc – players must set up Defence Zone - tap to behind workline or boundary Role Playing or zone responsibility applies

18 Standard Tactics Opposition Kick Outs Man on Man Zones - 12 (3/4/5), 15, 18 “Hedge your bets” - 50/50

19 Standard Tactics Our Kick Outs ‘Flood the Dud’ – weakest part of the zone Huddle/ Release “Play on” 2nd Kick Option Defensive Option Designated Kicker Spear Kick

20 What if scenarios? 2 or 3 unanswered goals Man on man in centre and all over ground Slow game down – tempo footy Push players down one line Leaders display leadership – action/words

21 What if scenarios? Kicking with the wind Long and direct Don’t always bomb Look to square the footy up around the 50m line Use corridor and get numbers at feet Don’t over possess No parking in corridor forward of 50m

22 What if scenarios? Kicking against the wind Extra man in defence Push numbers back then release Must play in front Set running bounces target Maintain possession Take action after 2 or 3 unanswered goals (see above) Players must lead up to ball carrier Use Half back flanker as a 5 th on baller

23 General Team Play/Tactics Set indicators per game (KPI’S) 7 point plays X team targets/ 5 per player Running goals through corridor (Set up designated players) 3 rd man up in forward line – 2 players in the goal square Go to players at centre bounces Use designated player when coming out of the backline

24 General Team Play/Tactics 50 inside 50’s 50 tackles 12, 15 man zone for opposition kick outs Run from behinds/handball receives (average 10 a quarter) Know our kick outs, eg. Spear kick Always wheel around across half forward when in possession of the footy (mark or free kick) Take Stats for Team or individual players (organise injured players or volunteers)

25 Some final advice….