Football Drils Resource
Football Drils Resource
Football Drils Resource
Section Seven
Lesson Plans
In this section
Youngsters (5-6 years) ............................................. 108 Middle primary (9-10 years) .................................... 148
Early primary (7-8 years) ........................................ 128 Late primary (11-12 years) ...................................... 168
1
SESSION
Kicking
Teaching points for kicking
1. Line up the ball with your target. Have your head bent slightly over the ball. Hold the ball over the thigh
of the kicking leg.
2. Guide the ball down with one hand – on the same side as the kicking leg.
3. Point your toes at your target – see the ball hit the foot.
4. Follow through straight towards the target.
Session overview
Foot flip
Warm-up 5
Whistle drill
Children run within playing field until coach blows the whistle, at which time
children must stop, look and listen. The coach then gives the next instruction,
eg. children skipping, hopping and walking backwards.
Foot flip
Children place a boot against the underside of the ball, flip it off the ground Step and kick
and into the air, then try to catch it.
Step and kick
A child stands one step behind the ball, takes a step and kicks the ball.
Repeat the process, standing three steps behind the ball, advancing
and kicking.
1 12 mins 2 1 2 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12
SESSION
Kicking
Skill activity 1: Foot dribble Skill activity 2: Step and kick
Child uses one foot to move the ball slowly as he/she walks Child holds the ball with two hands (as per drop punt)
through a circuit. Try using toes, heels, instep, outside of foot and faces his/her partner. The child takes one step and kicks
and use alternate foot. Dribble the ball around markers. to the partner, who catches the ball and kicks it back.
Teaching points
Teaching points • Hold the ball in both hands with
• Watch your boot contact the ball. fingers spread evenly along each side.
• Keep the ball close to your foot. • Step and kick the ball.
6 8 mins 7 1 1 3 8 mins 6 1 1
8 8
8 8
2
SESSION
Session overview
Here, there and everywhere
Warm-up 5
Whistle drill
Children run within playing field until coach blows the whistle, at which time children must
stop, look and listen. The coach then gives the next instruction, eg. children skipping, hopping
and walking backwards.
Here, there and everywhere
Coach designates four corners of playing field as ‘THERE’, inside the playing area as Egg roll
‘EVERYWHERE’, and themselves as ‘HERE’. Children are sent off running in playing field.
Coach blows whistle and calls out a destination, which children must get to quickly.
Egg roll
Children form egg shapes by lying on their back and hugging their knees to their chin
on their chest. Partners then roll the child to the left and the right. Swap over.
15 12 mins 4 1 2 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12
SESSION
Picking up: Stationary ball
Revision activity: Step and kick Skill activity 1: Dribbling
The child holds the ball with two hands (as per drop punt) Children roll a ball between the cones using the finger tips
and faces his/her partner. The child takes one step and kicks of both hands. Variations: use right or left hand only;
to the partner, who catches the ball and kicks it back. foot dribble; relay races.
8 8
2 8 mins 2 1 2 1 8 mins 1 1
8 8
3
SESSION
Catching
Teaching points for catching
1. Eyes focused on the ball.
2. Position your body in line with the ball.
3. Move forward to meet the ball.
Session overview
React and catch
Warm-up 5
Scarecrow tiggy
Select five children or parents as taggers. They try to tag other
children who, once tagged, become scarecrows, standing with
their legs apart and arms outstretched. Scarecrows can only return
to the game when another child crawls through their legs. Change
taggers regularly.
2 12 mins 1 2 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12
SESSION
Catching
Revision activity: Stationary pick-up Skill activity 1: Kick-to-kick with parent/partner
Child runs in and picks up the ball with two hands, Child holds the ball with two hands and faces his/her
runs around the helper coach, places the ball back in parent/partner. Child takes one step and kicks to the
the middle and goes to the end of the line. parent/partner, who catches the ball and kicks it back.
8 8
Teaching points
Teaching points • Eyes focused on the ball.
• Eyes focused on the ball. • Chest mark: elbows tucked in, palms facing up, hug the ball to your chest.
• Step forward to catch the ball. • Hand mark: fingers should be outstretched, pointing towards the ball.
• Elbows tucked in, palms facing up. Hug the ball to your chest. The thumbs are positioned behind the ball. The ball is firmly gripped by the fingers.
2 8 mins 2 1 2 1 8 mins 1 1
8 8
4
SESSION
Handballing
Teaching points for handballing
1. The ball must rest on the platform hand and be hit with a clenched fist. Beginning players should have their eyes on the ball.
2. Make the punching fist by placing the thumb outside the fingers.
3. Stand nearly side on to allow the punching arm to swing through freely.
4. For a right-handed handball, the left foot is forward, and vice-versa.
5. After making contact with the ball, the fist stays on the platform hand – “catch the fist”.
Session overview
Spiders and flies
Warm-up 5
Spiders and flies
Two spiders are chosen, remaining players are flies. The spiders sit in
the middle while the flies move around by hopping or skipping, etc.
The spiders sit quietly and patiently until they are ready to leap up and
chase the flies towards the boundary. Flies caught become spiders in
the next round. The game ends with the last fly as the winner.
Tug of war
Partners stand side by side. Link elbows and clasp wrist with your other
hand. Keep upright while pulling sideways in opposite direction.
6 12 mins 4 1 2 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12
SESSION
Handballing
Revision activity: Semi-circle catching Skill activity 1: Kick-to-kick with parent/partner
Children form a semi-circle around the helper coach. Child holds the ball with two hands and faces his/her
The helper coach throws a football to the first child and parent. Child takes one step and kicks to the parent or
continues until all the children have had a go. Each child partner, who catches the ball and kicks it back.
then has a turn at standing in the middle. Alternate
between catching on the chest and catching in the hands.
Teaching points
• Eyes focused on the ball.
• Chest mark: elbows tucked in, palms facing up, hug the ball to your chest. Teaching points
• Hand mark: fingers should be outstretched, pointing towards the ball. The • Hold the ball in both hands with fingers spread evenly along each side.
thumbs are positioned behind the ball. The ball is firmly gripped by the fingers. • Step and kick the ball.
1 8 mins 1 1 1 8 mins 3 1 1
8 8
Skill activity 2: Partner handball Skill activity 3: Astride ball with umpiring
1. Pairs stand close one to two metres apart and handball back Two teams line up facing each other about two metres apart.
and forth. Variation: use NAB AFL Auskick handball targets. Child have feet wide apart, touching the feet of the
2. Helper coach handballs to children who are standing in a players next to them. The object is to get the ball through the
semi-circle. Children to take the helper coach’s place while opponent’s legs to score one point. Children should not move
the helper coach assists with technique. their feet and can block the ball with their hands. Players with
1. 2. the ball have five seconds to play the ball. Start with the children
throwing the ball underarm with two hands and progess to
handballing. The team scoring the most points wins. Helper
coaches/parents retrieve balls for children so children do not
have to leave formation. Variations: use a circular formation;
handball only; have children umpire the game.
Teaching points
• When handballing, hit the ball with a
Teaching points clenched fist off the platform hand.
• Hit the ball with a clenched fist off the platform hand. • Follow through in the direction of the
• Follow through in the direction of the target; “catch the fist”. target; “catch the fist”.
3 8 mins 1 1 1 6 8 mins 4 1 1
8 8
5
SESSION
Session overview
Commands
“Rucks” – All run to a boundary designated “rucks”.
“Rovers” – All run to a boundary designated “rovers”.
“Umpy on ground” – Stand still and salute coach.
Warm-up 5 “Raise the run-through” – Players stand still and pull an imaginary rope to raise
Rucks and rovers with umpiring the team banner.
The game is played in an open space with marked boundaries. “Match starts” – Continuous jogging on the spot while shaking hands with
The distance between boundaries depends on the numbers a partner.
participating. All players line up on one boundary (designated “Mark” – Continuous high jumps off alternative feet to take imaginary
“Rucks”) and face the opposite boundary (designated “Rovers”). high mark.
Players must move between both boundaries according to “Huddle” – Players form groups of designated numbers.
“Huddle five” – Five players huddle together.
commands from the helper coach who stands in the middle. “Hit the deck” – Players lie on their stomachs.
Movement can include jogging, running, hopping, jumping and “Half time” – Players lie on their backs.
skipping. “Coach speaks” – Stand still, hands on hips, lean forward.
“Ring the bell” – Players stand still and ring an imaginary bell.
“Freeze” – All players stand still. No movement is permitted.
12 mins 12 1 1 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12
SESSION
Rolling, leaping and landing
Revision activity: Astride ball with umpiring Skill activity 1: Target kicking
Two teams line up facing each other about two metres apart. Children form two lines and kick at a NAB AFL Auskick
Each child has feet wide apart, touching the feet of the target. Once the child kicks the ball, he/she runs to collect
player next to him/her. The object is to get the ball through the the ball and handballs to the next child before returning to
opponent’s legs and score one point. Children should not move the end of the line. Variations: alter the distance from the
their feet, however they can block the ball with their hands. target; vary the angle.
Players with the ball have five seconds to play the ball. Start
with the children throwing the ball underarm with two hands
and progess to handballing. The team scoring the most points
wins. Helper coaches/parents to retrieve balls for children so
children do not have to leave formation. Variations: use a
circular formation; handball only; children umpire the game.
Teaching points
• When handballing, hit the ball with a Teaching points
clenched fist off the platform hand. • Hold the ball in both hands with fingers spread evenly along each side.
• Follow through in the direction of the • Look at the target, then the ball.
target; “catch the fist”. • Step and kick the ball.
6 8 mins 4 1 1 2 8 mins 2 1 1 1-2
8 8
Skill activity 2: Leap and land Skill activity 3: Bounce and roll
Place four cones in a line. Children leap over the first three The first child runs to cone, picks up ball with two hands,
cones (pushing off on one foot, aiming for maximum height bounces, places ball at next cone, does a commando roll,
and landing on the other foot), run around the last cone, gets to feet, continues around last cone, picks up ball and
then run back to the start. The child tags the next person replaces it at first cone.
in line, who repeats the circuit. Variations: repeat activity
with children carrying a ball, which is handballed to the
next person in line.
8 8
6
SESSION
Session overview
Warm-up 5
Umpy’s coming
Coach demonstrates three umpiring actions. Children move (hop,
step, run and jump) around the area until the coach calls “umpy’s
coming”. Coach then calls one of the umpiring actions and children
give appropriate signal.
Ball bouncing
Each child moves around in a designated area bouncing the ball. If
the ball doesn’t bounce back, correctly focus on picking up the ball
with two hands and continue on.
1 12 mins 2 1 2 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12
SESSION
Kicking: Drop punt
Revision activity: Bounce and roll Skill activity 1: Pick-up and kick
The first child runs to cone, picks up ball with two hands, Child A runs out to receive the ball rolled by the helper
bounces, places ball at next cone, does commando roll, coach, picks it up with two hands, runs to the next cone and
gets to feet, continues around last cone, picks up ball and kicks to a child B. Child B marks, runs back with the ball and
replaces at first cone. handballs to the helper coach before going to the end
of the line. Child A replaces child B.
A A
8 8
8 8
7
SESSION
Session overview
Cat and mouse
Warm-up 5
Cat and mouse
Players form a circle and hold hands. Two children are selected to be
the cat and the mouse. Cat stands outside the circle and the mouse
inside. Cat tries to catch the mouse. Other children protect the
mouse, letting him/her pass under their arms but not the cat.
Try two cats chasing the mouse.
12 12
SESSION
Picking up/ground skills
Revision activity: Pick-up and kick Skill activity 1: Drop punt and mark
Child A runs out to receive the ball rolled by the helper Child walks/runs and kicks the ball to the helper coach.
coach, picks it up with two hands, runs to the next cone and Child then follows the ball forward. The helper coach holds
kicks to child B. Child B marks, runs back with the ball and the ball high and the child leaps off the ground to take
handballs to the helper coach before going to the end a high mark. The child runs around the helper coach and
of the line. Child B replaces child B. handballs the ball to the next child.
A A
Teaching points
• Hold the ball in both hands with fingers spread evenly along both sides.
• Move in a straight line towards the target.
Teaching points • Guide the ball down with one hand.
• After picking up ball, straighten your body while running towards the target • Point your toes at the target.
(child b) and kick to the target. • Follow through straight towards the target.
1 8 mins 2 1 1 2 8 mins 2 1 2
8 8
Skill activity 2: Moving ball pick-up Skill activity 3: Through the gate
Child jogs to meet ball rolled by helper coach. Using two Divide group in half with the helper coach standing between
hands, the child picks up the ball, handballs back to the the two groups of children. The helper coach handballs to child
helper coach, runs around the helper coach before returning A. Child B puts the ball on the ground and dribbles it between
to the end of the line. Variations: helper coach rolls the the helper coach’s legs. Once through the helper coach’s legs,
ball on its side, end over end, on an angle, etc; child picks child A picks up the ball and handballs to child B then runs to
up the ball and bounces it before handballing to the the end of line 2. The helper coach moves to the end of line 1.
helper coach. Child B replaces the helper coach in the centre.
B
A
Teaching points
Line 1 B Line 2 A
• Keep your eyes on the ball at all times.
• Body in line with the path of the ball in a semi-crouched position. Teaching points
• Extend arms and hands with fingers almost touching the ground, palms • Keep your eyes on the ball.
towards the ball. • Body in line behind the ball in a semi-crouched position.
• Pick up the ball cleanly with both hands. • Use finger tips to control the ball while dribbling.
• Bring ball to handball position. • Pick up the ball cleanly with both hands.
2 8 mins 2 1 2 2 8 mins 2 1 2
8 8
8
SESSION
Marking
Teaching points for marking
1. Eyes focused on the ball.
2. Position your body in line with the ball.
3. Move forward to meet the ball.
4. (a) Chest mark: Fingers and hands extended, elbows tucked in, palms facing up, hug the ball to the chest.
(b) Hand mark: Fingers outstretched and pointing to the ball, thumbs behind the ball, long arms.
Session overview
Rats and roosters
Warm-up 5
Numbers
Children run around in a designated area and helper coach calls out instructions to children, for
example, hop, skip, imitate taking a mark or kick. Helper coach blows the whistle, calls a number
and children form a group of that number. Finish with the number two so that children have
partners for the next activity.
Team B
Refer to full list of AFL Auskick rules on page 20 of Book 2: Coaching.
1 12 mins 1 1 2 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12
SESSION
Marking
Revision activity: Moving ball pick-up Skill activity 1: Drop punt and mark
Child jogs to meet ball rolled by helper coach. Using two Child walks/runs and kicks the ball to the helper coach,
hands, the child picks up the ball, handballs back to the then follows the kick. The helper coach holds the ball high
helper coach, runs around the helper coach before returning and the child leaps off the ground to take a high mark.
to the end of the line. Variations: helper coach rolls the Child runs around the helper coach, handballs the ball to
ball on its side, end over end, on an angle, etc; child picks the next child and runs to the back of the line.
up the ball and bounces it before handballing to the
helper coach.
Teaching points
• Keep your eyes on the ball at all times. Teaching points
• Body in line with the path of the ball in a semi-crouched position. • Line up the ball with your target. Have your head bent slightly over the ball.
• Extend arms and hands with fingers almost touching the ground, palms • Hold the ball over the thigh of the kicking leg.
towards the ball. • Guide the ball down with one hand.
• Pick up the ball cleanly with both hands. • Point your toes at the target. See the ball hit the foot.
• Bring ball to handball position. • Follow through straight towards the target.
2 8 mins 2 1 2 2 8 mins 2 1 2
8 8
Ball-up Boundary
throw-in
Teaching points for marking
• Eyes focused on the ball.
• Position your body in line with the flight of the ball.
• Mark the ball cleanly on chest or in hands.
Teaching points for boundary throw-in
Teaching points • Stand with feet shoulder width apart, facing away from the direction of the throw.
• Eyes focused on the ball. • Cradle one end of the ball in the throwing hand with the other hand on top of
• Position your body in line with the flight of the ball. the ball.
• Fingers outstretched pointing to the ball, thumbs behind the ball, arms long. • Bend forward at the hips and knees, then quickly spring up and back.
• Mark the ball as high as possible. • Release the ball just above the eyes.
2 8 mins 4 1 2 3 8 mins 3 1
8 8
9
SESSION
Handballing
Teaching points for handballing
1. Keep your eyes on the ball and line up the body with the flight of the ball. Overhead mark:
Hand mark: • Jump off one foot and swing the other knee up to gain maximum height.
• The fingers should be outstretched, pointing towards the ball. The thumbs are • Fingers outstretched and thumbs almost together – W position.
positioned behind the ball. • The ball is met slightly in front of the head with arms extended – “long arms”.
• The arms must be extended – “long arms”. It should be firmly gripped in the fingers.
• The ball is firmly gripped with the fingers.
Session overview
Warm-up 5
Stuck in the mud (parent and child activity)
In a designated area, all children and parents have balls,
except for three who are “it”. The aim of the game is to tag
others. When a person is tagged, he/she must stand with
the ball above their head and legs apart. To free a tagged
person, a ball must be rolled through his/her legs and
regathered. Variation: tag using a handball.
3 12 mins 4 1 2 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12
SESSION
Handballing
Revision activity: Mark on the run Skill activity 1: Kick, mark and run
Helper coach stands beside the line of children and throws First child runs and kicks the ball to the helper coach.
the ball up high. The first child runs out, marks the ball, The helper coach throws ball in the air, the child marks,
runs around the cone, bounces the ball twice, handballs to runs around the cone, bounces the ball, handballs to the
the helper coach and returns to the end of the line. next child and returns to the back of the line.
Vary chest and hand marks.
Teaching points
Teaching points • Line up the ball with your target. Have your head bent slightly over the ball.
• Eyes focused on the ball. • Hold the ball over the thigh of the kicking leg.
• Position your body in line with the flight of the ball. • Guide the ball down with one hand.
• Fingers outstretched pointing to the ball, thumbs behind the ball, arms long. • Point your toes at the target. See the ball hit the foot.
• Mark the ball as high as possible. • Follow through straight towards the target.
2 8 mins 4 1 2 2 8 mins 4 1 2
8 8
Skill activity 2: Handball lanes Skill activity 3: Circle spin with running
Children line up in two groups of three, about five metres Children form a circle, with one child inside the circle at a
apart. First child runs towards other line and handballs to time. The child inside the circle handballs to the children
the front child. Variations: increase speed, distance; use forming the circle. Repeat the activity with child in the circle
right and left hands; include parents for relay races. walking, jogging, walking backwards, on knees, etc.
The helper coach is to call the variation.
8 8
Session overview
Motorbike tiggy
Warm-up 5
Whistle drill
Children run in a designated area until coach blows the whistle, at which time the children must stop,
look and listen for the next instruction. Continue with children skipping, hopping and walking backwards.
Motorbike tiggy
Taggers are chosen. Children run around in a designated area. When tagged, the child must leap,
taking off on one foot and landing on both feet, shoulder width apart in a motorbike position.
Knees should be slightly bent, back straight and arms held in front of the body. Hold position for five Front fall
seconds and continue.
Front fall
Pairs face each other in a kneeling position with arms oustretched (slightly bent) in front at shoulder
level. Child slowly falls forward and uses hands and arms to break fall. Chest should end up flat on
the ground with head to one side. Repeat. Parents can assist to help build child’s confidence.
Skill game: Leaping and rolling relay AFL Auskick grid game
Helper coaches set up four skills stations around a 10-metre square. 12 children, 2 teams of 6
Children work through the course in order: leap and land, log rolls,
high marks and crouch and jump. When a child completes all • Children to stay in their zones (rotate players each quarter)
stations, he/she goes to the back of the line. • No diving on the ball.
1. Leap and land • No bumping or tackling once a child gains possession.
2. Log Roll with the Other players are to back off, so the child can kick or handball.
football. Place • Mark is awarded irrespective of distance travelled.
football in hands
above head, log roll • Try to give all children a kick of the ball
from one marker to
the next
3. High marking:
throw ball up high
and mark, ensure
knee is lifted up to
hip level to aid in
achieving height, land on one foot and repeat.
4. Crouch and jump: at each marker, starting with a crouch, jump
and crouch to each marker. When jumping, ensure body is in full Refer to full list of AFL Auskick rules on page 20 of Book 2: Coaching.
stretch and in crouch position, with knees up against chest.
6 12 mins 6 1 1 1 12 mins 6 1 4 2 12
12 12