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Winning Game Day Tactics
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Table of Contents
Part 1 – Game Day Tactics
THE HERRING BONE STRATEGY ..................................................................................................5
WHAT IS IT ...........................................................................................................................................5
HOW IT WORKS ....................................................................................................................................5
WHEN TO USE IT ..................................................................................................................................5
FAT SIDE RUN ......................................................................................................................................7
WHAT IS IT ...........................................................................................................................................7
HOW IT WORKS ....................................................................................................................................7
WHEN TO USE IT ..................................................................................................................................7
TALL TIMBER KICK IN .....................................................................................................................9
WHAT IS IT ...........................................................................................................................................9
HOW IT WORKS ....................................................................................................................................9
WHEN TO USE IT ..................................................................................................................................9
Part 2 – Bonus Training Drills
PIGGY IN THE MIDDLE...................................................................................................................12
WHAT IS IT .........................................................................................................................................12
HOW IT WORKS ..................................................................................................................................12
HOW TO USE IT ..................................................................................................................................12
TWIN TRIANGLES ............................................................................................................................14
WHAT IT IS .........................................................................................................................................14
HOW IN WORKS ..................................................................................................................................14
HOW TO USE IT ..................................................................................................................................14
Winning Game Day Tactics
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Part 1 –
Game Day Tactics
Winning Game Day Tactics
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The Herring Bone Strategy
What Is It
The Herringbone forward set up is a tactic used to create space inside the forward 50
metre arc. The tactic leaves space in the “Hot Spots” at both half forward flank areas
and in both forward pockets.
How It Works
1. The method is for all forwards (X) to set up in a straight line from the goals, inside
the centre corridor. The aim is to drag your immediate opponent with you,
creating space on either side of the ground to lead into.
2. Once the ball is won and moving forward, players then break at varying angles
towards the open space. An added advantage can be given to the attacking side if
team-mates’ assist with a block of the opposition, prior to breaking for the lead.
3. The Full Forward should be instructed to hold his ground, and should lead up the
centre corridor, when the space opens up in front of him.
4. The ball carrier should scan all leads, and be aware of the Full Forward, who
should be the first option.
When To Use It
This tactic is extremely effective when you have a dominant midfield and continually
win the ball from the centre ball ups or from stoppages through the midfield.
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X
HOT SPOT
X
X
X
X
X
X
HOT SPOT
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Fat Side Run
What Is It
The Fat Side Run is a tactic used to get the ball to a leading tall forward, who is able
to lead into space on the “Fat Side” of the ground.
The term “Fat Side” is used to describe the area of the ground where there are few
players and plenty of free space. It is usually created when forwards, and their
opponents move to one side of the ground.
How It Works
1. The Full Forward starts on the goal line near the Behind post. All other forwards
set up as shown.
2. The kicker holds the ball, until the forwards are set up and then lead in the
directions as shown. This must be away from the target area.
3. The Full Forward hold his lead for a split second, then leads hard and fast towards
the space on the “Fat Side” of the ground.
4. The kicker kicks long to the space out in front of the Full Forward, allowing him
to run onto the ball and mark it out in front.
5. The Forward Pocket waits for the Full Forward to run past him and then runs
across his line, in an attempt to block or delay the Full Forward’s opponent.
6. The Centre Half Forward leads back towards the goal square to provide another
target for the kicker.
7. The kicker must weigh up the best option if the Full Forward is covered.
8. Organise your midfield group to set a “Wall” across the front edge of the centre
square to counteract any rebounding kick by the opposition, thus locking the ball
in your forward area.
When To Use It
This tactic is commonly used when the ball is marked just outside, or just inside the
forward 50 metre arc. The kicker generally holds the play up, by pretending to set up
for a shot on goal, allowing the forwards time to set up in the required positions.
It is important for a tall, strong marking forward to be the designated target, with the
other forwards offering alternate leads. One player, generally the Forward Pocket,
assists the leading tall player by getting in a position to block the leading players
opponent.
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With the kicker pretending to shoot for goal, the defenders tend to relax marginally.
This allows all the forwards to lead, and causes a large area of space to open up on the
“Fat Side”.
FF
FP
HFF
CHF
FP
KICKING
TARGET
AREA
HFF
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Tall Timber Kick In
What Is It
The Tall Timber Kick In is a kick in strategy that is used to gain an advantage over
the use of an opposition zone set up.
It takes advantage of your tall marking players, such as the Centre Half Back and your
Ruckman.
It starts by having your players set up in a huddle at centre half back and breaking on
the kick-in to designated areas.
The designated marking players both lead to the same area, while your midfielders
offer fake leads, then double back to get to the fall of the ball and assist.
How It Works
1. The defenders and the midfield gather in a huddle formation on the 50 metre arc at
centre half back.
2. The Ruckman and the Centre Half Back will lead to the target area on the same
side of the ground.
3. One Back Pocket, the Centreman and the Ruck Rover will lead into the space in
front of the target area, then complete a hook turn and run towards the target area
to act as crumbing players. Make sure they don’t get to the contest too early and
run past it before the ball arrives. They must get front and square on the contest.
4. The Rover will run behind the tall players and crumb the back of the marking
contest.
5. The other Back Pocket and one Half Back Flanker lead short and then stay in this
area in front of goals in case the opposite win the ball and kick it back towards the
goals.
6. The kicker will kick the ball to the target area.
7. The other Half Back Flanker can set up on the opposite boundary line, about 25
metres out from goal, to act as a second kick in option.
8. Both Wingman time their run, and start to run forward of the ball to receive the
second kick if the kick-in is successful.
When To Use It
The main objective of this kick in strategy is to outnumber the opposition on one side
of the ground. This is done as the opposition will usually have set a Zone Defence and
have their players spread evenly inside the 50 metre area.
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KICKER
HBF
Target
Kicking Area
BP BP
C RR HBF
R CHB Ru
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Part 2 –
Bonus Training Drills
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Piggy in the Middle
What Is It
Piggy in the Middle is basically a warm up drill, where players have the opportunity
to touch the ball multiple times in a short period, thus assisting them to significantly
improve their skill level.
This drill can be done using handball or kicking, and can be done at varying distances.
How it Works
1. Players work in groups of 4, and set up as shown, with 2 players at one end, one
player in the middle, and the last player at the opposite end. I recommend that they
start at 3 metre intervals.
2. Player A starts with the ball and handballs to Player B in the middle. Player A
runs into the middle position, as Player B receives the ball, turns, and handballs to
Player C. Player B follows his ball and runs to the position of Player C, as he
handballs back to Player A in the middle position.
3. Player A receives the ball, turns and handballs to Player D and the drill continues.
Each player moves to the next position after disposing of the ball. (Player A goes
to B, B to C, etc.)
How To Use It
I prefer to allow the players to go for 2 minutes, then expand the drill to 15 metres for
a short kick. The first kicking drill is done off one step, ensuring the player balances
and kicks. As the drill gets longer, extend the time limit for each activity.
The drill can then be expanded up to 25 metres as the players warm up. This is an
excellent drill that can be done at low or high intensity, and is a great warm up drill
that can be utilised throughout the season to keep your players skill level sharp.
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D
A
D
A
D
A
D
A
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
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Twin Triangles
What It Is
Twin Triangles is a warm up drill and especially effective when you have large
numbers of players, as the players work in 2 separate groups of 3. This drill can be
utilised to practice a wide range of skills and starts over a short distance. The drill is
then extended to allow the players to practice kicking.
How in Works
1. Set up 6 cones, using 2 different colours, in 2 triangle layouts and about 3 metres
apart.
2. The ball is passed around the 3 groups of yellow cones, while a second ball is
passed around the red cones.
3. The drill starts with a short handball in a clockwise direction, then swap to an anti
clockwise direction.
4. After a short time, about 1 minute, extend the distance between the cones to 5
metres and continue the handball activity in both directions.
5. Next, have the players practice picking up a loose ball, by having the players roll
the ball to the next group. Each player picks up the ball, and rolls it to the next
group.
How To Use It
The drill can be extended to a kicking drill over a short 10 metre distance. I direct my
players to kick off 1 step, ensuring they learn ball control and hit the next target. I
then extend the drill to 15m and 25 metres and continue to practice kicking. This can
be done in both directions as per the handball drill.
As another variant, I utilise 2 players at a time in each group, and over 40 metres, a
player kicks long to the next group. As the player sets to mark the ball, the next player
in the group runs around the front and gets front and square, and acts as a crumber.
The marking player marks the ball, handballs to the crumber, then receives it back and
kicks to the next group. The crumber then prepares to mark the ball on the next
rotation.
This drill can be adapted to practice any skill, and as it is done in a confined space,
players need to be aware of other players, improving their vision. It is a fantastic drill
to get the players excited and creates plenty of atmosphere.
Continue this drill for approximately 15 minutes.
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