Kick-Out Options: After a Behind, Rebuilding Attack

There’s a moment in every game of Australian rules football that often goes unnoticed by the casual observer. The ball sails through for a behind, the crowd lets out a collective sigh or cheer depending on allegiance, and the full-back trots back to the goal square. What happens next—the kick-out—is one of the most crucial phases of play in modern footy. It’s the reset button, the launching pad, and sometimes the difference between a defensive hold and an attacking surge.

For fans who love the strategic side of the game, understanding kick-out options is like learning the secret language of footy. It’s not just about booting the ball long to a pack. It’s about structure, timing, and exploiting the opposition’s setup. Whether you’re a player looking to sharpen your game, a coach plotting your next move, or a supporter who wants to read the play better, this pillar guide will break down everything you need to know about rebuilding attack from a kick-out.

Let’s start with the basics and work our way into the nitty-gritty. By the end, you’ll never watch a behind the same way again.

The Evolution of the Kick-Out: From Safety First to Strategic Weapon

Not so long ago, the kick-out was a fairly straightforward affair. Full-backs would take the ball from the goal square, have a quick look up the ground, and launch it as far as possible towards the centre corridor. The aim was simple: get it out of the defensive zone, hope your midfielders could mark or crumb, and reset from there. It was a safety-first approach, and it worked well enough in an era when flooding and zone defences weren’t as sophisticated.

But footy evolves. Coaches started to realise that the kick-out could be a genuine attacking weapon. Why just clear the ball when you could create an advantage? Why let the opposition set their defensive structure when you could force them to scramble?

The shift came with the rise of the “switch” kick-out, where the full-back would kick to the opposite side of the ground, catching the opposition’s press out of position. Then came the short kick to a running defender, the overlap handball chain, and eventually the “corridor-centric” approach that prioritises breaking the lines through the middle.

Today, kick-out options are as varied as the teams that use them. Some clubs prefer to retain possession with short kicks and handballs, working the ball methodically up the ground. Others go long and direct, backing their tall forwards to bring the ball to ground. And then there are the hybrids—teams that mix it up based on the game situation, the scoreboard, or the opposition’s defensive setup.

Why Kick-Outs Matter: The Numbers Game

Here’s a thought that might surprise you: in a typical AFL game, there can be many behinds. That means many kick-outs. If you’re not converting those opportunities into effective attacking chains, you’re giving the opposition free looks at your defensive structure.

Think about it this way. Every kick-out is a chance to:

• Reset your defensive shape after a behind
• Launch a fast counter-attack while the opposition is still celebrating or resetting
• Control the tempo of the game—slow it down when you’re ahead, speed it up when you’re chasing
• Exploit mismatches if the opposition has left a weak link in their defensive zone

The best teams in the competition treat kick-outs with the same seriousness as centre bounces. They have set plays, designated targets, and clear decision-making hierarchies. And they practice them relentlessly.

The Anatomy of a Kick-Out: Key Roles and Responsibilities

Before we dive into specific options, let’s set the stage. A kick-out involves several key players, each with a distinct role:

The Full-Back

This is the player taking the kick. In modern footy, full-backs aren’t just defenders—they’re playmakers. They need to read the opposition’s setup, identify the best option, and execute under pressure. A full-back who can kick accurately to a leading target is worth their weight in gold.

The Target Players

These are the midfielders or half-forwards who present as options. They might lead to the flanks, the corridor, or even drop back into the defensive 50 to create a short option. The best target players are strong marks, quick off the mark, and able to read the flight of the ball.

The Support Players

These are the teammates who work to create space. They might block for the target player, run decoy leads, or position themselves for a handball receive if the ball comes to ground. Support players are the unsung heroes of the kick-out—they make the kick-out work even if they never touch the ball.

The Opposition’s Defensive Structure

Ah, the elephant in the room. The opposition isn’t just going to stand there and let you waltz the ball out. They’ll have a zone, a press, or a man-on-man setup designed to force you into a mistake. Understanding what the opposition is doing is half the battle.

Kick-Out Option #1: The Long Bomb to the Corridor

This is the classic option, and it’s still effective if executed well. The full-back kicks long and high to the centre square or just beyond, aiming for a pack of teammates. The idea is to bring the ball to ground in a contest, where your midfielders can crumb and create a stoppage or a quick handball chain.

When to use it:

• When you’re behind on the scoreboard and need to move the ball quickly
• When your tall forwards have a height advantage over the opposition’s defenders
• When the opposition’s press is aggressive and you want to go over the top

Risks:

• If the opposition marks the ball, they’ve got a free look at your defensive 50
• If the ball goes to ground and the opposition wins the crumb, you’re exposed
• It’s predictable—good teams will have a plan to counter it

Pro tip: Don’t just kick it high and hope. Aim for a specific target, preferably one who is leading into space. If you’re kicking to a pack, make sure your teammates are positioned to compete, not just to watch.

Kick-Out Option #2: The Short Kick to a Defensive Flank

This is the modern favourite. Instead of going long, the full-back kicks short—maybe 30-40 metres—to a defender or midfielder who has run to the flank. That player then has the option to take the mark, steady, and either kick long or start a handball chain.

When to use it:

• When you want to retain possession and build from the back
• When the opposition’s press is narrow and you can exploit the flanks
• When your defenders are good ball users and can hit a target further up the ground

Risks:

• If the kick is intercepted, the opposition has a shot at goal from close range
• It requires precise execution—a poor kick can put your teammate under pressure
• It can slow the game down, which isn’t ideal if you’re chasing

Pro tip: The short kick works best when you have a running defender who can take the ball at speed and immediately look up for the next option. Think of it as the first pass in a chain, not the final destination.

Kick-Out Option #3: The Switch to the Opposite Flank

This is the “cheat code” option that caught everyone by surprise a few years ago. Instead of kicking to the side where the behind was scored, the full-back switches play to the opposite flank. This forces the opposition’s defensive zone to shift across the ground, often creating gaps in the middle.

When to use it:

• When the opposition’s press is heavily weighted to one side
• When you have a player on the opposite flank who is in space
• When you want to create confusion and force the opposition to reset

Risks:

• It requires a long, accurate kick—if you miss, the ball is in dangerous territory
• The opposition might anticipate the switch and set up accordingly
• It can take time to execute, giving the opposition’s forwards time to push up

Pro tip: The switch works best when you have a designated “switch runner” who reads the play and gets to the opposite flank early. Communication is key—the full-back and the runner need to be on the same page.

Kick-Out Option #4: The Handball Chain Start

This is the most possession-heavy option. Instead of kicking, the full-back might handball to a teammate who has run past, starting a chain of handballs that works the ball out of the defensive 50. This is often used when the opposition’s press is so tight that there’s no kicking option available.

When to use it:

• When the opposition is applying heavy pressure and you can’t get a clean kick away
• When you want to draw the opposition in and then release a runner into space
• When your team is confident in its handball skills under pressure

Risks:

• Handballs can be intercepted if the opposition reads the play
• It requires excellent timing and communication
• If the chain breaks down, you’re in trouble

Pro tip: The handball chain is a high-risk, high-reward option. It works best when you have players who are comfortable under pressure and can make quick decisions. Practice it at training until it becomes second nature.

Kick-Out Option #5: The “Dummy” Kick-Out

This is the trick play of the kick-out world. The full-back pretends to kick long but instead takes a few steps, draws the opposition’s press, and then kicks to a different target. It’s a variation on the switch, but with an extra layer of deception.

When to use it:

• When the opposition is overcommitting to one side
• When you want to create a one-on-one contest in a favourable position
• When you’ve set up a decoy runner to draw defenders away

Risks:

• If the dummy is too obvious, the opposition won’t bite
• It requires excellent footwork and composure from the full-back
• If the full-back hesitates, the pressure can force a turnover

Pro tip: The dummy kick-out is a weapon of surprise. Use it sparingly—if you do it too often, the opposition will catch on.

Reading the Opposition: How to Choose the Right Option

No kick-out option works in a vacuum. The best full-backs are like quarterbacks—they read the defence, identify the weakness, and exploit it. Here are some things to look for:

• Is the opposition’s press narrow or wide? A narrow press can be exploited with a short kick to the flanks. A wide press can be beaten with a long bomb down the middle.
• Are they playing man-on-man or zone? Man-on-man defence means you can isolate a target one-on-one. Zone defence requires you to move the ball laterally to create gaps.
• What’s the scoreboard situation? If you’re ahead, you might want to slow the game down with short kicks. If you’re behind, you might need to take risks with long kicks or switches.
• What’s the wind like? Wind can make a huge difference. If the wind is strong, you might need to adjust your kicking distance or aim for a different target.

Coaching the Kick-Out: Drills and Practice

If you’re a coach, you can’t just tell your players to “work it out.” You need to drill kick-out options until they become instinctive. Here are some drills to consider:

The “Three-Option” Drill

Set up three targets at different distances—short, medium, and long. The full-back must read a signal from the coach and kick to the correct target. This builds decision-making under pressure.

The “Press-Breaker” Drill

Simulate a defensive press with opposition players. The full-back must choose between a short kick, a switch, or a handball chain. Reward creativity and punish predictable choices.

The “Game-Situation” Drill

Set up a scenario based on the scoreboard—your team is down by 10 points with two minutes to go. The full-back must execute a kick-out that leads to a quick goal. This builds composure under pressure.

Kick-Outs at the Grassroots Level

If you’re playing local footy, don’t think this doesn’t apply to you. Kick-outs are just as important at the grassroots level—maybe even more so. At the local level, teams are less organised defensively, which means a well-executed kick-out can create a fast break that catches the opposition off guard.

Here’s a tip for grassroots players: keep it simple. Don’t try to be too clever. If you’ve got a tall forward who can take a mark, kick it to him. If you’ve got a speedy midfielder who can run onto a short kick, use that. The key is to have a plan and stick to it.

Conclusion: The Kick-Out as a Game Changer

The kick-out is no longer a forgotten phase of the game. It’s a strategic battleground where games can be won or lost. Whether you’re a full-back looking to improve your decision-making, a coach designing a new set play, or a fan who wants to understand the game better, mastering kick-out options is a skill that pays dividends.

Next time you’re at the ground or watching on TV, watch the kick-out closely. Notice how the full-back scans the field, how the targets lead, and how the opposition reacts. You’ll start to see the patterns—and you’ll appreciate the craft that goes into every single kick.

If you’re keen to dive deeper into match tactics, check out our guides on handball chain analysis and transition defence. They’ll give you a complete picture of how modern footy teams build their attacks from the back.

And remember: the next time your team gives away a behind, don’t stress. It’s just another opportunity to rebuild the attack.