AFL Academy Mission Statement Developing Better People Better

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: Ø Accountability - no excuses Ø Respect Ø Professionalism Ø Team First Attitude Ø Loyalty Ø Encouragement

Playing Structures 2012

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

Opposition Kick-ins – Zone Concede Short To Pockets 3 FP 5 Don’t let ball get over 5 Back of 3 rd line 3 2 HF W M Ruck FF M HB FP M FB n W CHF HB CHB BP HF BP 18 Man Zone A I S

Opposition Kick-ins – Quick Play FP FF HF CHF, Ruck and Midfielders Man on Man Defenders 10 m In front of direct opponent W FP HF 5 x Man On Man W HB CHB n HB BP FB BP Soft Zone A I S

Our Kick-ins Basic Set Up 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

Basic Clock Theory X 12 X 1 9 AIS X R R 6 Sweeper 2 X 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

Basic Inner Circle Theory X X 1 M AIS X HF R 2 X 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.

Centre Bounce - Basic set up – No. 1 X X W X 1 2 X M 2 M 3 R R Sweeper M 1 = Covers defensively at 6 M 2 = Starts at 9 moves to attack or defend M 3 = Starts at 3 moves to attack or defend W

Centre Bounce - Basic set up No. 2 X M 3 X W X 1 2 X M 2 W R R Sweeper M 1 Assumes Ruck is RH between 9 -12. M 1= Defensive Sweeper M 2 = Moves to hit zone or back to defend M 3 = Offensive sweepe

Centre Bounce Set Up Forwards - Line Out FF Important for HF’s to move around to side of square CHF FP FP W 1 HF 2 M R M M W 2 Defenders Man on Man AIS HF 1

Centre Bounce Set Up Forwards - Square & HF Hit In FP HF 2 Hit in off square HF 1 Follow Up Other Fwds in box set up FF HF 1 CHF FP W 1 M M W 2 R M Defenders Man on Man AIS HF 2

Playing Structures Midfield Stoppages

Midfield Stoppage FF Boundary & Ball Up CHF FP AIS HF 2 HF 1 M FP M M W 1 W 2 Defenders Man on Man = Ruck Hit Zones 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

Midfield Stoppage FF Ball Up - Central FP CHF HF 2 FP M M AIS HF 1 M W 1 W 2 Defenders Man on Man = Ruck Hit Zones 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

W 1 M Boundary & Ball Up Defenders Man on Man M M W 2 HF 1 FP CHF FP FF 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 AIS Defensive Stoppage = Ruck Hit Zones Forwards push up in pairs but always create at least a 1 vs. 2

Defensive Stoppage Defenders Man on Man Ball Up - Central W 1 M = Midfielders in Triangle W 1 = Wing on-side W 2 = Wing off side HF play their side but start central M M M W 2 HF 2 FP HF 1 CHF FP FF = Ruck Hit Zones Forwards push up and create at least a 1 vs 2. CHF and FF stay central. HF & FP Box Formation

Playing Structures Forward Stoppages

Forward Stoppage FP Boundary & Ball Up FF HF CHF HF M W 2 1 M M W 1 2 AIS FP Defenders Man on Man 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

Forward Stoppage FF FP Ball Up - Central Defenders Man on Man HF HF FP 2 W AIS W 1 M M CHF M = Ruck - CHF can also take hit out so Ruck can drop out (see position second red dot)

Playing Structures 3. Basic Forward Structure

Forward Structure – General Play 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 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 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 follow kick in and stoppage instructions Treat the football like gold 36