GA M E

S EN S E
ACTIVITIES
“Practice and improve the skills of Australian Football in a game–like environment”

Document compiled & prepared by:

Craig Winter – The Modern Game

Activities developed & provided by:

Anton Grbac – High Performance Manager (AFL Victoria)
Ray Breed – High Performance Coach (Nth Melbourne Football Club)
 GAME SENSE TRAINING FOR AFL FOOTBALL
WHAT DOES GAME SENSE MEAN?
When a ‘realistic environment’ is provided where players are able to practice and improve their skills under game-like
conditions. Game sense is NOT match practice; it is about practising parts of the game in isolation.

Players will have a far better chance of making good decisions and displaying good skills in a game if they have
previously practised them in a similar environment.

HOW DOES GAME SENSE WORK?

Game sense activities can be played in either a confined space with ‘mini’ teams or in larger spaces to incorporate
‘game like scenarios’ – in all activities, regardless of the space used, there should always be an ‘attacking’ team/player
and a ‘defensive’ team/player.

The recommendation is to initially work in confined spaces until all players have grasped the concept; then move into
larger activities that more reflect ‘game like scenarios’.

It is suggested that the teams be no greater than 6. This is to ensure that all players are given the chance to
participate and therefore improve.

The activities should go for no more than 7-10mins (remember it is practicing components of the game).

Initially, it is best to begin with basic activities. Challenge the players once they grasp the concept.

The role of the coach is to set the rules and facilitate the activity.

The role of the players is to solve the problems and make the decisions.

The coach is also there to provide further instruction and/or freezing the play to demonstrate a point.

THE KEY TO GAME SENSE IS............”THE QUESTION”

Game sense is all about ‘asking questions’ as the activities offer an excellent opportunity to provide immediate,
meaningful feedback. It is very important the coach ‘assists’ the players in solving tactical problems, rather than
solving the problems for them.

Using questions will help guide players and your questions should revolve around 4 concepts:
1. TIME - When should you.....?
2. SPACE - Where should you.....?
3. RISK - Which option was best? Why?
4. EXECUTION - How should you.....?

Additionally, the coach should also ensure they are inclusive in their questions by asking both individuals and teams
for feedback. Open-ended questions should be used as this will promote thinking amongst the players and this will
also result in learning. Below are some examples:

1. How can you make it more difficult for your opponent to score?
2. Is it better to run and carry the ball in that situation or deliver the ball immediately?
3. Where can you position yourself to be of benefit to the team?
4. Where can you run to assist your team in scoring a goal?
COACHING THE MODERN PLAYER
It is worth remembering that the young footballers of today have had a completely different educational
experience than that of many coaches. Young people have been educated in an environment where many
things are negotiated, discussed and left to them to make choices. They are encouraged to explore, experiment
and it is explained to them that mistakes will certainly occur and that is fine provided you learn something from
them.

‘Game Sense’ is a training technique that embraces the modern society that we currently live in. Some young
people find it difficult to adapt to sporting environments where everything is given to them, someone else sets
all the rules and they have had no input. Game sense empowers players and helps them take more
responsibility for their own football development.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES/GAMES
Warm-Up Activity (Handball/Kick)

“PIGGY IN THE MIDDLE”

= Cones

Handball between each other and

avoid the ball being intercepted by

• Look to see if players with the ball

7 metres

move to sides to receive the ball once

the activity has commenced.

• Excellent introduction for players that

find it difficult to identify space.

• More ‘defenders’ and ‘receivers’ can

be added to vary the difficulty of the
activity.

7 metres NOTE: Watch for handballs over the top.

Warm-Up Activity (Handball/Kick)

“QUICK & CLEAN”

= the player in the middle.

= ‘handball’ target.

= ‘kicking’ target.

• Two balls are used in this activity/game.

• Yellow and Red circles represent players who

dispose of the ball back to player

• Starts with a ball whilst any other player starts

with the second ball.
Handball =
• Handballs or kicks back to a player surrounding
Kick =
him, as soon as this has occurred the other ball is
passed to who then has to return it to any
other player surrounding him except the player
who initially passed the ball or the player who has
the second ball ready to return to

• All players rotate through

Warm-Up Activity (Handball/Kick)

“3 POINT SQUARE” = Cones = Defender = Spare cone

• Four (4) players required. Three (3) players take

position on a cone and the other player acts as the
defender.
• The three (3) cone players need to maintain
possession of the ball by handballing/kicking to
each other. The one spare cone is used to run to
receive a handball/kick – therefore always leaving
one cone vacant to run too.
• Must handball/kick down the lines (not diagonal).
• The defender tries to intercept the ball, cause a
fumble or miss a target – when this happens the
player making the mistake replaces the defender.
• To vary the difficulty of the activity, increase or
decrease the size of the square, increase the
number of defenders, include a timing rule (ie.
Hold on to the ball for 3 seconds).
Extended Activity (Handball/Kick)

“CIRCLE BALL”

20 metres

= Team Member = Defenders

• Two (2) or three (3) ball required.

• The team in possession of the ball form a circle of about 20-25 metres in diameter (vary for kids).
• The objective is to handball the balls randomly about the circle, ensuring that you do not handball to a player
already in possession of another ball or who is about to receive another ball.
• Three (3) to four (4) defenders (inside the circle) try to create turnovers whilst all balls move simultaneously.

• Coaches should be looking for long handballs and quick ball movement from “the team”. The “defenders”
should be looking to increase the pressure by zoning off or attack the ball carrier (either or).

• To vary the difficulty of the activity, use a bump bag inside the circle or place a team member in the circle
and have them shadowed.
Extended Activity (Handball/Kick)

“POD BALL”

30m

40m

= Team A = Team B = 5 metre circle surrounding goals

• Two teams of 5 or 6 players

• Handball or kick (if bigger area) – the aim is to pass the ball and score by handballing (or kicking) the ball
through “the pod” (or hoops if you do not have a pod).

• No players are allowed within the 5 metre circle surrounding the goals.

• A Turnover results when the ball hits the ground in transition.

• To vary the difficulty of the activity, include tackling and/or stoppages if the ball hits the ground. Additional
players can also be included to reduce the space and reaction time.
Extended Activity (Kick)
“DEFENDER”

NO GO
ZONE 40 - 70m

Goal Posts
approximately
6-7m apart
Distance will
vary for kids.

25 -30m 30-40m

Objective of Activity/Game
• Hit targets by foot and practice defending.
• = Kicking Team
• = Defenders

Rules
• 3 footballs required.
• No tackling, bumping, shepherding, blocking, shadowing allowed.
• Can’t run for more than 10 metres with the ball.
• A ball cannot be in any one half for longer than 10 seconds.
• If the ball enters the “no go zone”, the disposer of the ball is eliminated.

Directions
• Kicking team simultaneously kicks 3 balls across the ‘no go zone’ in an attempt to hit targets on other side.
• The defender attempts to spoil or intercept or pressure kickers in their half to force a poor kick or turnover on
the other side.
• If a kicker misses a target, kicks out of the area or has his kick intercepted, he is eliminated from the game and
runs around the playing area until he is brought back into the game.
• A kicker can be brought back into the game when his team does not make a mistake for a specified time (eg. 30
seconds) and then a designated player is successful in kicking a goal at his end.
• Game continues for a specified playing time or a prescribed number of kickers are eliminated at any one time.

• To vary the difficulty of the activity, add more defenders, make players use their opposite foot and or
introduce tackling and bumping.