When to Use:
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Opposition is unskilled or lacking fitness.
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You want to control tempo and wear them down.
Key Objectives:
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Stretch the ground by playing wide and using uncontested marks.
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Force the opposition to cover more space, making it difficult for them to defend.
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Exploit poor conditioning—make them “gas out” by switching play and executing skills that require constant movement and defensive shifts.
Strategic Focus:
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Use frequent switches and smart ball movement to spread the ground.
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Against more skilled opponents, win the ball back quickly and prevent them from settling into rhythm.
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Limit their involvement by denying access to the footy—control possession and tempo.
Drills – Pressure Simulation:
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13 vs 7 Bubble Drill (or similar ratio) to overload and compress the area.
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Run the drill in a large grid (e.g., between arcs or wing-to-wing).
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Emphasize defending space and directing play, not just manning up.
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Close down all disposal options and exit paths, forcing indecision and skill errors under pressure.