AFL Academy – Mission Statement Developing Better People, Better players

Their understanding of the requirements needed to play in the AFL Their football skills and game understanding Their knowledge of athletic preparation for high performance Their leadership ability and what being a leader requires Their organisational ability and time management skills. AIS/AFL Academy – Aims of Program The overall aim of the program is to develop players in the following areas: 5 5

Display the potential to play Australian football at the elite level State representation at the NAB under 16 & 18 Championships or be nominated by state body or AFL recruiters Display evidence of the appropriate values and attitudes needed to become an AFL player Display evidence of a commitment to school/work and education outside their football interests AIS/AFL Academy – Selection Criteria Each year the AIS/AFL scholarships are awarded to young athletes who meet the following criteria:

Ability to hit targets by foot and hand under pressure Display clean hands and ball winning ability Ability to make correct decisions under pressure – game sense ability Ability to transition quickly from attack to defence An appetite for the contest both mentally and physically AIS/AFL Academy – Football Skill Priorities : 5 5

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

n FP FF FP HF M M Ruck HF WW M HB CHB FB BP CHF Concede Short To Pockets Don’t let ball get over Back of 3 rd line

n FP FF FP HF WW HB CHB FBBP 5 x Man On Man Defenders 10m In front of direct opponent CHF, Ruck and Midfielders Man on Man

n DK BP HB R M M WW M HF CHF FF FP CHB Whenever possible play on. BP in short and wide. HB lead long and wide BP DK = Designated Kicker If DK changes swap positions in zone FP & HF on each edge of square to cover both sides of ground. CHF central target to move either side

Playing Structures 2. Stoppages

Playing Structures 1.S toppages a)Basic Clock Theory b)Basic Inner Circle Theory c)Centre Bounce – basic set up d)Midfield – Boundary e)Midfield - Ball Up f)Defensive – Boundary g)Defensive – Ball Up h)Forward – Boundary i)Forward – Ball Up

R X 12 XX Sweeper X 9 R 12 3 AIS 6

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

R X 12 XX Sweeper X M M R Start about 5 meters from contest Ruck hits to designated area but usually in close. M Basic Set Up is: Midfielders triangle. Wing/HF take up position 6 AIS HF

R X 12 XX Sweeper X W WM2 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 M3 R

R X 12 XX Sweeper X W WM2 M1 M3 R Assumes Ruck is RH between M1= Defensive Sweeper M 2 = Moves to hit zone or back to defend M3 = Offensive sweepe

HF 1 M R AIS CHF FP FF FP HF 2 W 1W 2MM Important for HF’s to move around to side of square

HF 1 M R AIS CHF FPFF FP HF 2 W 1W 2 M M HF 2 Hit in off square HF 1 Follow Up Other Fwds in box set up

Playing Structures Midfield Stoppages

HF 1 M M M = Ruck AIS CHF = Ruck Hit Zones FP FF FP 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 HF 2 W 1W 2

MM M = Ruck AIS = Ruck Hit Zones CHF FP FF FPHF 2 HF 1 W 1 W 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

Playing Structures Defensive Stoppages

M M M AIS = Ruck = Ruck Hit Zones W 1 W 2 HF 1 Forwards push up in pairs but always create at least a 1 vs. 2 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 FPCHF FFFP

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

Playing Structures Forward Stoppages

1 HF M M M W 1 W 2 = Ruck - CHF can also take Hit Out so Ruck can drop out (see position second red dot) AIS FP 2 FF CHF M = Midfielders in Triangle W 1 = Wing on-side W 2 = Wing off side CHF can take Ruck FP into Opp. Hit Zone Other Fwds Ring to Stop Switch

1 HF M MM WW = Ruck - CHF can also take hit out so Ruck can drop out (see position second red dot) AIS FP FF CHF 2

Playing Structures 3. Basic Forward Structure

HF CHFFP FFFP Option HF HF’s play high

Playing Structures Basic Positional Rules

Basic Rules for Forwards 1.Take front position when competing for ball 2.Work hard to keep ball in our Forward line. 3.Tackle and force opponets wide when they have ball 4.Convert Opportunities (50% conversion rate) 5.Understand and follow kick in and stoppage instructions 6.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.Win Contests 2.Work Both Ways ( transition) 3.Communicate and Cover for Each Other 4.Understand and follow kick in and stoppage instructions 5.Treat the football like gold 36