ACT Oztag
Training Drills Handbook
produced by
ACT Oztag
November 2014
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014
Game Procedures
Oztag Positions

Middles - The middles are positioned in the middle of the field, between
the two Links.

Links - The Links are positioned in between the Wings and the Middles

Wing - The Wings are the two outermost players, on either side of the
field
Oztag Substitution Method
In a game of Oztag there are two typical methods to use for player
substitutions.

Rotating: players make substitutions in their positions. (usually 8 middles
sub with each other, 4 links sub with each other and 4 wingers sub with
each other)

One on One: players are in pairs and when one player is on the field the
other player is off.

Substitutions can only be made when your team is in position of the ball

Players coming onto the field must wait until the player they are
substituting with has come off the field. Failing to do so may result in a
penalty for an incorrect substitution
It is the Coaches responsibility to ensure that ALL players have an equal
opportunity on the field.
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014
Training Skills/Drills
It is a requirement that specific skills and drills are used during training sessions
leading up to a representative tournament. These skills and drills include:
Cover Defence

Set up a square shape grid approx 20m long x 7m wide

Split team into two – attackers and defenders

Attackers are to run straight up the ‘line”

Attackers to carry a ball

Defenders are to run across and make the tag before they score

Players to switch positions i.e. once they have been attacker they rejoin
the defenders line

Switch attackers and defenders positions i.e. move attacker from Left
side to right etc
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014
Ball Handling Drills
Get players to perform different moves then hold the ball again:

Ball on the ground. One foot on top of ball. On whistle, quickly bend
down pick up ball and stand up.

Ball on ground. On whistle, spin around once, two claps and pick up ball

Ball in Hands. Throw ball up about head height catch in hands

Ball in Hands. Throw ball up, one clap, catch in hands. Then try 2 claps, 3
claps, 4 claps...Count as many claps as you can!

Bounce the ball to re-gather

Bounce, clap and re-gather

Move ball around waist, squeeze with thumb when ball is in one hand.
Race 5 times around waist

Move ball around both knees, legs together. Race 5 times around knees
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014
Twisting and Spinning
Key Teaching Points:
Ensure key teaching points for spinning:

Spinning off left foot:

Plant left foot inside shoulder of the right hand side defender

Look over right shoulder and spin clockwise

Be sure not to raise elbows so not to collide with defenders

Be sure not to jump

Do not spin too early

Spinning off right foot: As above but opposite anticlockwise
Ensure key teaching points for swivel hips:

You want to try and get your hips perpendicular to the defenders as you
cross the line of defence

Move hips away from attackers attempts e.g. if defenders is attempting to
tag the right tag, then the attackers should move that hip away from the
defender

Easiest method is to slightly lift the front foot as moving forward through
the line of defence

Try to do this at speed

Be sure not to jump

Think of doing the twist (rock and roll dancing)
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014
Twisting and Spinning Drill

Split the team into 2 groups

Set up 2 channels

2 vertical witches hats approx 10m apart

2 horizontal witches hat 1m apart set half way between the verticals hat

Have each group line up behind 1 set of verticle witches hats

Have 2 players on the horizontal markers as defenders

Have 1 player from the start of each line move through on your signal.
DO NOT let student go through at their own will.

Repeat until all players have gone through and then allow to pick up
tags.

Switch defenders and repeat until all players have had a go at defending
twice.
Turns 1 and 2 – normal run through
Turns 3 and 4 – swivel hips
Turns 5 and 6 – spinning
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014
3 on 2 Drill

Split into two teams

At the end of the grid have 2 defenders

At the other end have the reminder of the team in three lines (attackers)

Attackers must run and score a try by beating the defenders through a
draw and pass

Rotate defenders after a few turns at defending
Key Teaching Points:

Ball Handling – two hands on ball, thumbs on tops, fingers wrapped
underneath, and ball out in front

Tagging – use two hands

Correct draw and pass technique

Do not pass ball too early or late

Only pass if the defender comes to the ball carrier – do not force the pass

Pass the ball off the back foot and rotating the shoulders towards the
receiver

Receiver to stay wide of the defender
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014
Kicking Relay – Long distance kicks

Kicks have to be below referees shoulder during normal play but can go
any height for kick restart and drop outs

Attacking players cannot dive on the ball following a kick

Split team into 4 groups

Set up 2 channels 40m long

Players must grubber the ball to the players at the other end of the
channel

The receiving player needs to move to the ball, pick it up and then
grubber it to the player at the other end of the channel
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014
Kicking and regathering – short kick

Split team into 2 groups – Attackers and defenders

1 attacker receives the ball and runs towards the try line

2 defenders race up out of the line

Attacker puts short grubber kick in behind defenders and regathers the
ball and scores the try
ACT Oztag Training Drills Handbook 2014