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POSITIONAL COACHING Key forward second ruckman BY DREW PETRIE The need to use a key forward as a second, or back-up, ruckman has become critical in the modern game. Here are some tips from one of the AFL’s finest big men. Position description and roles The position in the team structure The main role of this position is to be a marking forward who plays most of the game as the full-forward. Being a deep inside 50 option who creates a contest and kicks goals is essential. The secondary role is to back up the starting ruckman. When the ruckman is having a spell on the bench, this player needs to fill the ruckman’s role at centre bounces and at all stoppages around the ground. deep target: Key forwards such as Drew Petrie must be prepared for the long kick inside 50. Relationships to other positions in the team Often a team will start with more than one tall forward, in which case this player needs to communicate with the other tall forward to ensure they don’t get in each other’s way when leading for the ball. It also is vital that the small forwards know their roles. They are to lead up the ground and not be the long option inside 50. When in the ruck, this player must communicate with the midfielders. Knowing the right places to hit the ball and where to set up in zone structures from kick-ins, etc is vital. Player responsibilities for the position Identifying when the starting ruckman needs a rest on the bench and being able to push up the ground into this role is important, but even more important is staying at full-forward when having started the game well by taking marks and kicking goals. Rather than be dragged away from the forward line, this player has to send the other tall forward up to do some ruckwork or get the starting ruckman to stay on the ground. 22 ⁄⁄ COACHING EDGE / JULY 2013
VERSATILE: Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughead is capable of kicking goals (left) and matching it in ruck contests with seasoned ruckmen such as Collingwood’s Darren Jolly. Expectations/role of the position in relation to specialised situations Defensive 50 stoppage The key forward needs to be 50 metres from the contest as a target. If the player’s team wins the contest they may need to kick the ball quickly under pressure and the key forward must be there to take the mark or get the ball out of bounds in a safer area of the ground. Forward half stoppage The key forward should start in the goal square and be prepared to lead up at the ball when the player’s team wins possession. If the opposition plays a spare player in front of the key forward, it is best to take up position within five metres of that opposition player to have a good chance of preventing that player from intercepting the ball and rebounding towards the opposition’s goal. Characteristics required to play the position »» The player needs to be more a forward than a ruckman. »» The main role is to compete in the air and kick goals. »» Players in this position should be tall enough to take a high mark and athletic enough to chase and pressure the opponent when they have the ball. »» Strength to compete in a ruck contest should not come at the expense of agility and speed as a forward. Coaching the position Key points to get across to players When the key forward’s team has the ball and is attacking its goal the key forward must be the deep target for the long kick inside 50. The forward needs to lead and create space when teammates are in better positions or are in space to receive the ball. When the opposition has the ball everyone becomes a defender. The team must have a defensive mindset that forwards chase, tackle and try to get the ball back. A forward letting an opponent get an easy kick by staying inside 50 and refusing to apply pressure is not acceptable. Specific training for the position Goalkicking and marking are two areas of great importance for the key forward. »» Set shots, snaps and on-the-run shots all need to be practised. »» Set shots should be taken with a man on the mark to simulate match days. »» A marking bag should be used to practise match-day scenarios of jumping into a pack of players when going for a mark. »» Leading for the ball should be practised because not all kicks coming inside 50 will be long and high. »» Ruck tap work should be practised too as this key forward has to back up the starting ruckman. Specific pre-match preparation Viewing vision of potential opponents to understand their strengths and weaknesses is a huge help – and should be essential when vision is available. The opponent may be strong body-on-body but slow off the mark when chasing a leading forward. Information like this can be very useful. It also can be beneficial to look at how other teams have got the ball inside 50 against the pending opponent. For example, has it been mainly by kicking long over a pressed-up zone, or by using a leading target against a defence that may like to play from behind? In preparing for relief ruck duties, it is recommended that the key forward/second ruckman chat with the team’s starting ruckman about the opposing ruckman/ruckmen. Spending time in a meeting of the team’s players who will be involved in stoppages can be very worthwhile for the key forward/second ruckman. Key hints to becoming a better player in the position A key forward/second ruckman always should review a game, and particularly the player’s performance, with the team’s forward line coach. If there is vision available it is likely there will be valuable things in it to learn/teach. If there is no vision a discussion can be had on how well the key forward/second ruckman role was performed. Then the player needs to practise those areas that need to be improved at training during the week. It also is worthwhile the key forward/second ruckman chatting with other forwards and the starting ruckman as they may have helpful feedback. This article was written as part of the requirements for the AFL/AFLPA Level 2 coaching course. COACHING EDGE / JULY 2013 // 23
Page 1 and 2: Volume 26 No. 1 JuNE 2013 // Incorp
Page 3 and 4: Introduction Coaches at all levels
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Page 9 and 10: When Richards joined the Swans, his
Page 11 and 12: Risk-taking According to legendary
Page 13 and 14: Playing a broad range of sports has
Page 15 and 16: I encourage coaches ‘ to look out
Page 17 and 18: 4 Returning to play It is important
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Page 21: three points. In this situation the
Page 25 and 26: Drill 2 3 3 3 50 4 4 50 4 RED BENCH
Page 27 and 28: Given time and more insights, young
Page 29 and 30: METHODICAL: Collingwood coach Natha
Page 31 and 32: The switch-of-play ‘ kick must be
Page 33 and 34: The evaluation ‘ process should b
Page 35: Terry Wallace has coached 247 AFL g

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