Match simulation quarters

Setup

1. Full court, two teams in position bibs, two umpires (coaches or senior players) and a scorer with a clock.
2. Play 4 × 12 min quarters: 3 min at quarter-time and three-quarter-time, 5 min at half-time. Subs and positional changes at breaks only.

How it runs

1. Full match rules: alternating centre passes, footwork, 3 seconds, 0.9 m, contact and obstruction all called.
2. Each quarter the coach gives one team a hidden focus (e.g. first-phase ball to WA, zone on every backline throw-in); the other team has to read and adjust.
3. A stats keeper records centre pass to goal, turnovers won, goals from turnovers and shooting percentage per shooter.
4. At each break: 60 s of team talk on one stat, the rest for fluids and resetting.

Coaching points

• Treat it as a match: full warm-up, starting seven named, every possession played to the whistle.
• Centre pass to goal is the base stat; at senior level aim to convert at least 8 of every 10 of your own centre passes.
• Transition both ways: on a turnover the nearest player offers inside a second and everyone else sprints to position.
• Use each break to change one thing, not five.

Common mistakes

• Soft umpiring, so the simulation doesn't match real pressure.
• Coaches stopping play mid-quarter to teach; save it for the breaks.
• Bench players sitting cold and coming on flat.