AFL · Goal kicking
Snaps and checkside goals
Players lead into a pocket, take a handball and snap or kick a checkside at goal from a tight angle with a chaser behind.
Start / 4
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- 4–12
- Age
- U12+
- Area
- Forward 50
- Equipment
- 8 size 4 footballs2 cones
Setup
- Put a cone in each forward pocket, 15 to 20 m out at a tight angle.
- A feeder with balls near each cone; shooters line up 15 m back from the cone.
- One defender starts a few metres behind the shooter.
How it runs
- The shooter leads to the cone and takes a handball from the feeder.
- With the defender chasing, the shooter snaps or kicks a checkside without stopping. The defender chases only, no tackling.
- Alternate pockets so everyone kicks from both sides.
- Count goals out of ten each, then rotate the defender and feeders.
Coaching points
- Head over the ball and eyes on it until contact, even with someone chasing.
- Snap: drop the ball across the body and swing through with the inside of the boot so it curls back to goal.
- Checkside: angle the ball and strike it with the outside of the boot so it bends back towards goal.
- Aim wide of the near post and let the bend bring it through.
Common mistakes
- Kicking straight at the goal from a tight angle, so it hits the post or misses.
- Falling away from the kick and losing balance.
- Rushing the snap when there's time to steady.
Say it: “Head over it, aim wide, let it bend back.”
Make it harder
- The defender starts closer and runs at the shooter, arms up.
- Move the cones closer to the boundary.
Make it easier
- No defender: snap from a standing start at 15 m.
- Start at a wider angle, closer to straight in front.
Pairs well with
Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.