Contested marking in packs

Setup

1. Cone a 15 × 15 m drop zone 35 m from a kicker (K) with the balls.
2. Two forwards (F1, F2) and two defenders (D1, D2) start in the zone; a crumber from each side (C1 forward, C2 defence) waits on the front edge.
3. Before each ball a coach gives each pack player one controlled bump with a hit shield, so they contest after contact, as in a game.

How it runs

1. K kicks a high ball into the zone; forwards go to mark, defenders mark or spoil.
2. If it hits the ground, the crumbers fight for it and the winner handballs out to a teammate running off the pack within 3 s.
3. Score 3 for any mark, 2 for a spoil the defence's crumber wins, 1 for a forward crumb.
4. Eight balls per group, 8–10 s of work and about 40 s rest each; rotate roles every eight.

Coaching points

• Read the flight early and arrive late and moving; a run and jump off one foot beats a standing leap under the ball.
• Lead knee lifted for height and to protect the body, never driven into a player's back; arms extended, hands behind the ball, mark at the highest point.
• Defenders who can't mark it get a fist in from the side or behind and punch it toward the boundary, away from the front of the pack.
• Crumbers sit front and centre, 3–5 m off, low and on the toes with the fall of the ball in view.

Common mistakes

• All four jumping from a standstill directly under the ball.
• Crumbers standing beside the pack watching the marking contest.
• Spoiling straight down so the ball falls to the other side's crumber.