Hit the lead on the run

Setup

1. A kicker on a start cone, a feeder with the balls 5 m ahead and to the side.
2. A leading forward on a cone 25 m from the kicker, with a defender a step behind on the goal side.
3. Extra players queue at the kicker's cone and the leader's cone.

How it runs

1. The kicker runs past the feeder and takes a handball on the run.
2. As the kicker looks up, the forward leads hard on an angle with the defender trailing.
3. The kicker hits the lead on the run, out in front and away from the defender; the forward marks on the chest.
4. Rotate: kicker to forward, forward to defender, defender to feeder, feeder to the kicking line.

Coaching points

• Leader: go when the kicker looks at you, sprint hard and show hands as the target.
• Kicker: look, then eyes down to the ball; guide it down and follow through to the target.
• Kick to the space in front of the leader, on the side away from the defender.
• Keep it flat and firm, not floated.

Common mistakes

• Leading before the kicker has the ball.
• Kicking to where the leader is, not where they'll be.
• Slowing to a stop before the kick.