How Can I Use Grids at Footy Training?

by teamvida | Apr 9, 2021 | Coach Development, General Footy, Player Development

At Vida Footy, we use grids regularly in our sessions and holiday programs because they teach players at all levels fundamentals that directly help with real game situations. Grids can be employed at all levels, including tackers! Make sure you modify the grid so that they work and watch your players improve their tactics and game awareness.

Different types of Grids

There are many types of grids with many variations you can use to work on different parts of the game. Let’s start with the size of the area.  If you want to work on handballing, use grids sizes from 5×5 to 10×20 meters. Kicking grids can also vary, obviously depending on what you need to work on.  Grids can have defenders too. You can make it where there is less defenders than attackers, and visa versa. Make sure you have a clear focus on the desired output of your grid and modify the rules and size to match.

What do you learn from grids?

Grids are a way to teach your players the fundamental tactics and movement patterns of the game.  You can use groups to reinforce technical skills, but ultimately you are working on the following aspects

– Passing on a 45

– Blocking for team mates

– Constant movement

– Creating space

– Quick hands or kicks under pressure

– Leading to the correct areas

– Decision making

– Defending

– Tackling

One of the most important skills to pass on to your players is where to move to within the grid.  This will be something to look out for throughout your use of the grids.

Tackers coaches and coaches of young teams, please try and incorporate small handball grids into your training as we have seen over the years, players as young as 7 really benefiting from these activities.

Coaches of older teams, remember grids are used by AFL clubs, so make sure you try and incorporate them into your training schedule.

What is Transition Football?

by teamvida | Jul 28, 2020 | Coach Development, General Footy, Player Development

Transitioning out of defence is one of the most important parts of your tactics on game day. Not only does it get you out of defence, but it can, if done quickly, move the ball into the forward line fast.

One of the best ways to use this defensive to attacking tactic is when the ball is intercepted or possession gained on one side of the ground, the player with the ball quickly switches the play to the other side of the ground.

The reason why this can work is:

– Most players will be on the side of the ground where the ball was previously, opening up space to the transition side.

– Because the defending team was previously attacking forward, they may not be manned up on their player, leaving the attacking team open to transition the ball forward.

– Opens the field up, making room for fast play

How to practice and Implement this strategy. 

First of all keep using the term “in one way out the other”.  This will remind your players to scan the field when they are in this position to potentially use it.  Get your players to swivel their heads to scan for options every-time they get the ball. Therefore if a player gets the ball, they have an option to kick the ball down the line. They can also transition the play across the ground, or into the middle (only if a player is well and truly open).

Kicking the ball down the line should be encouraged only when there are no options left, or the player feels that is the best tactic to use in that particular situation. Maybe their best marking player has a mismatch, or you are winding the clock down and kick it close to the boundary line, looking for a stoppage.