Forward structure and leading patterns

Setup

1. Cone the 50 m arc. Two deep forwards (F1 full-forward, F2 pocket), two high half-forwards (F3, F4) on the arc and a small (F5) at the fall of the ball, each with a defender.
2. A kicker (M1) starts on the wing or half-back flank about 60 m from goal with the balls.
3. Leave the hole, the space at centre half-forward 35–55 m from goal, empty at the start of every entry.

How it runs

1. M1 gets the ball and has 4 s; a high forward leads up into the hole as the first option.
2. If the first lead is covered, a deep forward leads into the space it left (the second lead), while the others hold their spots or clear the lane.
3. Score 2 for a mark on the lead inside 50 and 6 for a goal from the set shot; an intercept or spoil scores 3 for the defence.
4. Eight entries per group, 15–20 s of work and about 40 s to walk back to spots; rotate kickers every four.

Coaching points

• Lead when the kicker's head is up and the ball is on the boot side; a lead made too early gets closed down.
• One lead at a time. Everyone else holds width and depth or clears the lane so the leading space stays open.
• Kickers hit the advantage side, out in front or away from the defender, with a flat, penetrating drop punt.
• The deep forwards protect the space behind; if both high forwards are covered, the ball goes deep to a one-on-one.

Common mistakes

• Two forwards leading into the same space and dragging both defenders there.
• The deep forwards leaving the goal square empty at the same moment the high forwards lead.
• Kicking to where the forward is rather than to the space in front of them.