Every successful AFL side knows that defence is only half the battle. What you do with the ball after a behind—or a rushed kick through the big sticks—can be the difference between controlling the tempo and handing momentum straight back to the opposition. For grassroots players, local club coaches, and footy fans who want to understand the modern game at a deeper level, mastering structured kick-in play patterns is an essential skill.

In this practical guide, you'll learn how to design and execute a repeatable kick-in system that turns a defensive reset into a scoring opportunity. We'll break down the key principles, walk through a step-by-step process for building your own patterns, and highlight the common mistakes that can derail even the best-laid plans. By the end, you'll have a clear checklist you can take straight to training.

Prerequisites / What You Need

Before you start drilling kick-in patterns, ensure you have the following in place:

A designated kick-in taker – This player needs a reliable, accurate kick (typically 40–55 metres) and the composure to read the defensive setup. Your best ball-user should be first choice.
At least three forward-of-centre targets – These players must understand spacing, timing, and how to lead into space. Think of them as your primary, secondary, and safety valve options.
A defensive structure behind the ball – Your team needs to know how to set up a zone or man-on-man shape to prevent the opposition from flooding back and intercepting.
Clear communication signals – Hand signals, verbal calls, or pre-arranged triggers (e.g., a player clapping twice) to indicate which pattern you're running.
Training cones or markers – To simulate the 50-metre arc, boundary lines, and the kick-off line from the goal square.
A stopwatch or timer – To enforce the 30-second kick-in clock (or whatever time limit applies at your level).

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Assess the Defensive Setup Before You Take the Kick

The first and most critical step happens _before_ the ball is kicked. As soon as a behind is scored, your designated kick-in taker should immediately scan the opposition's defensive structure.

Ask yourself these questions:

Are they pressing up hard, flooding the corridor?
Are they dropping back into a zone, protecting the centre?
Have they left space on one wing or the other?

This assessment dictates which pattern you'll run. For example, if the opposition has pushed numbers into the corridor, you might look to hit a wide target on the boundary side. If they've left the corridor open, a quick, direct kick to a leading player at centre half-forward could be on.

Key principle: Never lock in a pattern before you see the defensive shape. The best kick-in patterns are adaptable, not rigid.

Step 2: Set Your Starting Positions

Once you've identified the defensive setup, your team must get into their starting positions quickly. This is where training repetition pays off.

Standard starting positions for a structured kick-in:

The kick-in taker stands at the mark, ball in hand, facing the play.
Primary target (your best mark) starts around the 50-metre arc, on the side of the ground you're targeting. They should be positioned to lead either straight up the ground or diagonally towards the boundary.
Secondary target positions themselves 15–20 metres further up the ground, ready to receive a handball or a shorter kick if the primary option is covered.
Safety valve (often a wingman or half-back) stays deeper, near the defensive 50-metre line, to provide an outlet if all forward options are smothered.
Two or three runners start on the defensive side of the centre square, ready to burst forward once the kick is taken.

Tip: Use your best runners—players with explosive speed—as the ones who will break from the defensive side to create separation and become viable options.

Step 3: Trigger the Pattern with a Pre-Arranged Signal

Now it's time to communicate. The kick-in taker gives a clear, pre-arranged signal to indicate which pattern you're running.

Common signals:

One raised finger = "Hit me on the lead at centre half-forward."
Two raised fingers = "Wide pattern, boundary side."
Open palm = "Short, quick kick to the safety valve."
Tapping the ball twice = "Switch play to the opposite side."

Your team must be drilled to recognise these signals instantly. If there's hesitation, the opposition will close down space.

Pro tip: Use non-verbal signals only. Shouting "Switch!" or "Go wide!" tips off the opposition and gives them time to adjust.

Step 4: Execute the Lead and the Kick

The kick-in taker takes the kick within the allotted time. Meanwhile, your primary target executes their lead.

The lead should be:

Straight and hard – Not a lazy jog. The lead must create separation from the defender.
Timed to meet the ball at its peak – The kick should be placed so the target can mark it at full stretch, not having to wait or adjust.
On the correct side – If you're kicking to the boundary side, the lead should angle towards the boundary. If you're going corridor, the lead should be straight up the middle.

The kick itself must be:

Long and accurate – Aim for the chest or the space in front of the lead, not a hospital pass.
High enough to allow the target to read it – A low, flat kick is easier for defenders to intercept.
Delivered with purpose – No floaters or lobs that hang in the air.

Common mistake: Kicking too early, before the lead has developed. Patience is a virtue here. The kick-in taker has up to 30 seconds—use that time to let the pattern unfold.

Step 5: Follow the Kick with Support Runners

Once the kick is away, the job isn't done. Your support runners must immediately flood forward to provide options.

The secondary target should be running towards the drop zone of the ball, ready to crumb or receive a handball.
The safety valve should move up to the centre of the ground to become a linking option.
Your defensive players behind the ball should push up to the centre line to maintain structure and prevent a quick counter-attack.

This phase is often where patterns break down. Players stop moving after the kick, leaving the target isolated. In modern footy, the kick-in is just the start of a chain of possession.

Key principle: Every player has a role after the kick—even if it's just to create space by drawing a defender. No one stands still.

Step 6: Reset or Recycle if the First Option Is Blocked

Sometimes the opposition reads your pattern perfectly. The primary target is double-teamed, the corridor is clogged, or the kick is spoiled. When this happens, you need a fallback plan.

Your safety valve becomes crucial here. If the primary option is blocked, the kick-in taker should:

Hold the ball – Don't force a kick into a contest you're likely to lose.
Look for the safety valve – A short kick to a player in space on the defensive side of the ground.
Recycle through the backline – The safety valve can then switch play to the opposite wing, resetting the attack.

This "recycle" pattern is a hallmark of well-coached sides. It requires composure and trust that the system will work.

Pro tip: Practice the recycle pattern at training under pressure. Simulate a scenario where the primary option is completely shut down, and force your players to find the safety valve.

Step 7: Transition to Attack

If the kick-in is successful, your team should immediately transition into an attacking structure.

The kick-in taker becomes a support player, moving up the ground to offer a handball receive.
Your forwards should already be leading into space, anticipating the next kick.
The midfielders should push forward to create numbers at the contest.

The goal is to move the ball from the defensive 50 to the forward 50 in as few possessions as possible, ideally with the kick-in being the first of three kicks that results in a scoring shot.

Pro Tips / Common Mistakes

Pro Tips

Vary your patterns – If you run the same pattern every time, the opposition will read it. Mix up corridor kicks, boundary kicks, and short kicks to keep defenders guessing.
Use the wind – If you're kicking into a breeze, shorten your targets. If the wind is at your back, you can kick longer and deeper.
Practice under fatigue – Kick-ins often happen late in quarters when players are tired. Drill your patterns at the end of training sessions to simulate game conditions.
Film your training – Review footage to see if your leads are sharp enough and your spacing is correct. Small adjustments can make a big difference.

Common Mistakes

Kicking to a contest unnecessarily – If the primary target is covered, don't bomb it long. Take the safe option and recycle.
Overcomplicating the pattern – Stick to 2–3 core patterns that your team can execute flawlessly. Adding too many variations leads to confusion.
Ignoring the defensive shape – If your defensive structure behind the ball is poor, a turnover from the kick-in can result in a quick goal against you.
Not adjusting to the opposition – If the opposition has a tall, athletic intercept marker, avoid kicking to their area. Target smaller, quicker players instead.

Checklist Summary

Use this checklist at training and on game day to ensure your kick-in patterns are structured and effective:

Assess the opposition's defensive setup before the kick
Set starting positions: primary target, secondary target, safety valve, and runners
Give a clear, non-verbal signal to trigger the pattern
Execute a sharp, timed lead from the primary target
Kick with accuracy and purpose, placing the ball in front of the lead
Support runners flood forward to provide options after the kick
Reset to the safety valve if the primary option is blocked
Transition smoothly into an attacking structure
Vary patterns to keep the opposition guessing
Review footage to refine spacing and timing

Mastering structured kick-in play patterns takes time, repetition, and clear communication. But for any team—from local club level to the top tiers of the AFL—it's a skill that can transform your ability to rebound from defence and control the flow of the game. Start with these steps, drill them relentlessly, and watch your team's confidence grow every time the ball sails through the big sticks.

Related reading:

Kick-In Play Patterns: Structured Rebound from Defense