AFL Academy – Mission Statement
Developing Better People, Better players
AIS/AFL Academy – Aims of Program
The overall aim of the program is to develop players in the following areas:
1
Their understanding of the requirements needed to play
in the AFL
2
Their football skills and game understanding
3
Their knowledge of athletic preparation for high
performance
4
Their leadership ability and what being a leader requires
5
Their organisational ability and time management skills.
AIS/AFL Academy – Selection Criteria
Each year the AIS/AFL scholarships are awarded to young athletes who meet the
following criteria:
1
Display the potential to play Australian football at the
elite level
2
State representation at the NAB under 16 & 18
Championships or be nominated by state body or AFL
recruiters
3
Display evidence of the appropriate values and attitudes
needed to become an AFL player
4
Display evidence of a commitment to school/work and
education outside their football interests
AIS/AFL Academy – Football Skill Priorities
:
1
Ability to hit targets by foot and hand under pressure
2
Display clean hands and ball winning ability
3
Ability to make correct decisions under pressure – game
sense ability
4
Ability to transition quickly from attack to defence
5
An appetite for the contest both mentally and physically
AIS/AFL Academy – Coach Values
The following are the values held by the AIS/AFL High Performance Coach:
 Accountability - no excuses
 Respect
 Professionalism
 Team First Attitude
 Loyalty
 Encouragement
Playing Structures
1. Kick Ins
2. Stoppages (Inner Circle Theory)
3. Forward Structure
4. Basic Positional Rules
Playing Structures
1. Kick Ins
Playing Structures
1. Kick Ins
Opposition Kick Ins
a) Zone
b) Quick Play
Our Kick In
a) Basic Set Up
Concede Short
To Pockets
3
FP
5
Don’t let ball get over5
Back of 3rd line
3
2
HF
M
FF
M
FP
M
HF
W
W
Ruck
HB
CHF
HB
CHB
BP
FB
n
BP
A
I
S
FP
FF
HF
CHF, Ruck and
Midfielders Man on Man
Defenders 10m
In front of direct
opponent
W
FP
HF
5 x Man
On Man
W
HB
CHB
n
HB
BP
FB
BP
A
I
S
DK
BP
BP
HB
W
Whenever possible play
on. BP in short and
wide.
HB lead long and wide
M M M HB
R
CHB W
n
FP
HF
CHF
HF
FP
FF
FP & HF on each edge of
square to cover both
sides of ground. CHF
central target to move
either side
DK = Designated Kicker
If DK changes swap
positions in zone
Playing Structures
2. Stoppages
Playing Structures
1. Stoppages
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
Basic Clock Theory
Basic Inner Circle Theory
Centre Bounce – basic set up
Midfield – Boundary
Midfield - Ball Up
Defensive – Boundary
Defensive – Ball Up
Forward – Boundary
Forward – Ball Up
X
12
AIS
X
X1
9
2X
R
R
6
Sweeper
3
Inner Circle Theory
Theme – FIRST TO ARRIVE, FIRST TO LEAVE
There are 5 clear instructions around stoppages:
1.
Know Your Role – as well as everyone else’s role
2.
Position on Inner Circle – start approx. 5 meters from ruck contest
3.
Re-act quickly – once ball is struck play the game
4.
Be Physical
5.
Spread quickly – both defensively & offensively
X
HF
AIS
X
X1
M
2X
R
M
R
M
Sweeper
Basic Set Up is:
Midfielders triangle.
Wing/HF take up position 6
Start about 5 meters from
contest
Ruck hits to designated area
but usually in close.
X
X
W
X1
2X
M2
M3
R
R
Sweeper
M1
M 1 = Covers defensively at 6
M2 = Starts at 9 moves to
attack or defend
M 3 = Starts at 3 moves to
attack or defend
W
X
M3
X
W
X1
2X
M2
W
R
R
Sweeper
M1
Assumes Ruck is RH between
9-12.
M1= Defensive Sweeper
M 2 = Moves to hit zone or
back to defend
M3 = Offensive sweepe
FF
Important for HF’s to move
around to side of square
CHF
FP
FP
W1
HF 2
M
M
R
M
W2
AIS
HF 1
FP
HF 2 Hit in off square
HF 1 Follow Up
Other Fwds in box set
up
FF
HF 1
CHF
FP
W1
M
M
R
M
W2
AIS
HF 2
Playing Structures
Midfield Stoppages
FF
CHF
FP
AIS
HF 2
HF 1
M
FP
M
M
W1
= Ruck
= Ruck Hit Zones
W2
M = Midfielders in Triangle
W 1 = Wing on-side
W 2 = Wing off side
HF 1 = on-side HF
HF 2= off-side
A Forward must cover drop off
player
FF
FP
CHF
HF 2
FP
M
M
AIS
HF 1
M
W1
= Ruck
= Ruck Hit Zones
W2
M = Midfielders in Triangle
W 1 = Wing on-side
W 2 = Wing off side
HF 1 = on-side HF
HF 2= off-side HFcovers drop
off player
Playing Structures
Defensive Stoppages
W1
M
M
M
W2
HF 1
FP
CHF
FP
FF
AIS
HF 2
M = Midfielders in Triangle
W 1 = Wing on-side
W 2 = Wing off side
HF 1 = on-side HF
HF 2= off-side HFcovers drop
off player
= Ruck
= Ruck Hit Zones
Forwards push up in pairs but
always create at least a 1 vs. 2
W1
M = Midfielders in Triangle
W 1 = Wing on-side
W 2 = Wing off side
HF play their side but start
central
M
M
M
W2
HF 2
FP
HF 1
CHF
FP
FF
= Ruck
= Ruck Hit Zones
Forwards push up and create at
least a 1vs 2.
CHF and FF stay central.
HF & FP Box Formation
Playing Structures
Forward Stoppages
FF
FP
HF
CHF
HF
1
M
M
W1
W2
2
AIS
FP
M
CHF can take Ruck
FP into Opp. Hit Zone
Other Fwds Ring to Stop
Switch
M = Midfielders in Triangle
W 1 = Wing on-side
W 2 = Wing off side
= Ruck - CHF can also take Hit Out so Ruck can drop out (see position second
FF FP
HF
1 M
M CHF
M
HF
FP
2
W
AIS
W
= Ruck - CHF can also take hit out so Ruck can drop out (see position second red dot)
Playing Structures
3. Basic Forward Structure
FF FP
HF’s play high
Option 1
4-2
CHF FP
HF
HF
Playing Structures
Basic Positional Rules
Basic Rules for Forwards
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Take front position when competing for ball
Work hard to keep ball in our Forward line.
Tackle and force opponets wide when they have ball
Convert Opportunities (50% conversion rate)
Understand and follow kick in and stoppage instructions
Treat the football like gold
34
Basic Rules for Defenders
1. Defend First
2. Play on Inside of Opponent (touch and feel approach- force
them to lead wide)
3. Spoil as hard and as wide as possible
4. Attack when we have ball- but adjust back to opponent
when you can no longer be involved
5. Understand and follow kick in and stoppage instructions
6. Treat the football like gold
35
Basic Rules for Midfielders
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Win Contests
Work Both Ways (transition)
Communicate and Cover for Each Other
Understand and follow kick in and stoppage instructions
Treat the football like gold
36