AFL · Kicking · Leading & spread · Marking

Kick to a lead

A forward leads at the right moment and the kicker hits them on the chest.

KLD
Start / 4
Time
15 min
Players
6–14
Age
U11+
Area
40 × 25 m
Equipment
4 cones4 footballs

Setup

  1. Kickers at one cone with the balls, leaders 30 m away at another cone.
  2. A defender cone marks where the lead starts.

How it runs

  1. The leader jogs, then bursts away from the cone on an angle.
  2. The kicker delivers a chest mark in front of the leader.
  3. Leader marks, kicks back, and joins the kicking line.

Coaching points

  • Lead when the kicker's eyes are up, not before.
  • Kick to the space in front of the lead.
  • Hands out early to mark on the chest.

Common mistakes

  • Leading too early and having to stop.
  • Kicking at the player instead of in front of them.

Say it: “Lead late, kick early.”

Make it harder

  • Add a passive defender who shadows the leader.
  • Kick with the non-preferred foot.

Make it easier

  • Shorten the kick to 20 m.
  • Leader walks to the mark.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.