Defending the kick-in from a behind is one of the best ways to pressure your opponents and regain possession. Teaching your players some strategies, zones and techniques to do this at an early age is critical to their tactical development. We emphasise a lot of skill acquisition here at Vida Footy, but it is also extremely important to start developing tactical thinking, even in younger age groups.
Different Types of Zones.
There are many different types of zones that you can employ for your team. For juniors, we would suggest having one main set-up that you would use most of time, with one or maybe even two back up plans that all the players know and can be changed during the game.
Some great zone set ups for juniors are;
3-4-5 or 3-4-4
3-5-5
Full ground
Make sure you let your players understand the reasons why for each zone, and where they need to move after the ball has been successfully kicked in.
Other Set ups.
You don’t necessarily need to play a zone. If your team is getting used of the game, or is not quit up to implementing a zone, then there are some options.
You don’t necessarily need to play a zone. If your team is getting used of the game, or is not quit up to implementing a zone, then there are some options.
Setting up in the positions as per the traditional set-up works well as is almost like a zone anyway. After the ball has been kicked in, you could get your players to then play on their opposition player until you regain possession.
Alternatively, you could get your players to make sure they are aware of their opposition players when they go out on the ground, then play on that opponent closely on the kick outs. If there is someone free, then the players would need to talk to try and find the missing defender. You can build from this set-up into the traditional starting position above, then into a zone once their game knowledge grows.
Techniques for under 10’s
Developing a young players tactical awareness in fundamental to their overall development. Therefore teaching the young players the basics of kick-ins is crucial to helping them understand the tactical development as they move up the age groups.
Developing a young players tactical awareness in fundamental to their overall development. Therefore teaching the young players the basics of kick-ins is crucial to helping them understand the tactical development as they move up the age groups.
We suggest starting to teach your players to stand in the traditional positions of the footy ground. Then teaching them to always have their arms up in the air. From there, you can build upon those basic starting position as they progress in their footy. Practising these set-ups during the week, even if it’s for 5 minutes each week will really help embed the knowledge
