Auskick 2.0 format

[GeeLill]

Was just wondering whether anyone has had experience in running the new Auskick format. The format involves four "activity" squares which are around 15m long, on which the Auskickers perform different skill drills. At the end, those four squares convert to "grid games". The grid games have no zones and are played 4 vs 4.

I coach a Year 1 Team and just wanted to see whether anyone wants to share their experiences. I am finding the grid games at the end are not flowing that well as all kids converge on wherever the ball is.

 

[HTT]

So there's 4 grid games, and each is played on a separate 15m long area?

I think it's worth a crack but I'd make the zones bigger, at least 30m, maybe more. 15m is pretty small.

 

[Rob]

Yeah, my son plays Year 1 Auskick and they brought this in this year.

After 1 week they decided the grid games were a load of shit (which they are) and they went back to playing normal Auskick games in week 2 with the 3 zones. The activity stations thing is fine though. I don't really know who came up with it, clearly not someone that knows a lot about young kids. Kids just want to play games. That's the great thing about footy, you can just put them all on a field, chuck a ball in the middle and let them go at it.

 

[pantskyle]

This could actually be the new AFL format with the way the game is going.

 

[Maylandsman]

I've run auskick for 14 years.
I'm incorporating more parent involvement and will be ignoring the grid.
will play a few of their games but apart from that kids are always moving and there is nothing new that we aren't doing.
the games on Saturday are mint and the best form of training.
no zones just cones to mark positions and quite a big oval to open up space.
kids will always chase the pill. it's what they are there for, they love it.

 

[Frank Gallagher]

They started doing it at our club for the 5/6s only, and the coaches seem to like it.

Please don't tell me your 9/10s are doing it?

 

[Frank Gallagher]

Our format is 9am start, skills training until 10am and then an hour long game, 4 15 minute qtrs with alternating positions.

 

[clivenator26]

This is my 6th year involved in auskick and the first we’ve done the new version, only one week in and it was a bit scrappy organisation wise but I think the kids loved it. Parents are involved, kids have footies in their hands more, constantly moving.

I’m glad my local club has got in, it does make it easier for the kids in their first year as they really don’t know any better. For older kids that have done the previous auskick programs it will be a bit harder to adjust especially for parents expecting games.

 

[Frank Gallagher]

This is my 6th year involved in auskick and the first we’ve done the new version, only one week in and it was a bit scrappy organisation wise but I think the kids loved it. Parents are involved, kids have footies in their hands more, constantly moving.

I’m glad my local club has got in, it does make it easier for the kids in their first year as they really don’t know any better. For older kids that have done the previous auskick programs it will be a bit harder to adjust especially for parents expecting games.

So the older kids do it as well? We're only making our 5/6s do it.

 

[Frank Gallagher]

Auskick is a great thing, but i just wish there was an another option for the more advanced kids, because the way Auskick is set up the advanced kids are being hamstrung.

 

[Maylandsman]

Our format is 9am start, skills training until 10am and then an hour long game, 4 15 minute qtrs with alternating positions.

do you find this to long? we train Thursday so Saturday is game day. after about 1 hour they start chasing butterflies.
also can you split your groups for games? more competent players to one side and beginners on the other. we go from ages 5 -8.
for your 9s and 10s I would also allow them to tackle.

 

[FRUMPY]

This is my kids first year in Auskick. They are 6 and 7. Its a reasonably small Auskick centre with around 100 kids and only 20-25 in their respective age groups.

I find the drills are ok under the old system but last week they introduced the 2.0 system to the 4 and 5 year old groups. Things I saw that I liked:
- kids were always involved/moving and not stationary at a hat waiting their turn
- more parental involvement
- they appeared to like it
- even though they weren't footy skill sets I understand they are only 4 and 5 year olds so their motor skills aren't good yet.

Things I didn't like:
- they used round balls, not footballs (theyre there to learn football ffs)
- they were simple things like bouncing a ball in a ring or throwing it into a bucket, things they should be getting taught in primary school PE
- they weren't footy related skill sets

This week they are planning on introducing the 2.0 method to the older kids. I really hope its not the same stuff they put the 4 and 5 year olds through. It needs to be footballs, it needs to be football drills. They are there to learn footy not improve their general

 

[FRUMPY]

Auskick is a great thing, but i just wish there was an another option for the more advanced kids, because the way Auskick is set up the advanced kids are being hamstrung.

In general its about learning the game and being inclusive. Generally I see a few really good kids and they are the top age kids. If they are really that good, maybe take them down to local footy club and train with the lowest age kids.

 

[clivenator26]

So the older kids do it as well? We're only making our 5/6s do it.

At our club they’ve got all the kids, but did say there would be some flexibility for years 1-2 but there program is slightly different anyway, with more game time.

 

[FRUMPY]

We had a guy come out 2 weeks ago explaining the new 2.0 training and why it was introduced:
1. Gets more kids involved more often, not sitting on hats for ages.
2. Because of more girls doing auskick, the old method was to 'boy' orientated and this new method is better for girls (this didn't make any sense to me)

 

[Rusty Brookes]

We had a guy come out 2 weeks ago explaining the new 2.0 training and why it was introduced:
1. Gets more kids involved more often, not sitting on hats for ages.
2. Because of more girls doing auskick, the old method was to 'boy' orientated and this new method is better for girls (this didn't make any sense to me)

I've pretty much ignored it but you do bring up two excellent points.

I make sure our drills are quick and involved - lots of footy's being kicked around, hitting the tackle bags (kids love that), games like British Bulldog, Rob the Nest, etc. Last thing kids want to do at the end of the week is stand around at a witches hat.

My group is nearly half girls - they don't want to be treated any differently. The only concession I make is I pair up players with a designated opponent of similar ability - so often a girl will play on another girl in our game. It makes them more comfortable and willing to participate (rather than being bowled over by a boy that's just about to start shaving).

As I'm also the umpire, there are times when I'll call all the other players out and let the two opponents fight it out. This applies to the boys as well. It stops the really good players (a couple of which are girls by the way) from dominating every contest (they get plenty during the game anyway) and ensures everyone gets a kick in the game.

I should point out I'm coaching grade 5/6 so these kids are 10-12 years old. My view is try and make it fun, hopefully they'll learn something and hopefully they'll leave with a love of the game.

 

[RookiePick]

I think it's a good idea for Auskick to concentrate on skills. There is a massive disparity in skill levels with some kids able to hoof 20+ metre kicks and other kids battling to get the ball from their hand to their foot with any consistency. Typically the more skilled kids seem to be from "footy" families and/or are younger children with older siblings who have been through the system and they learn from at home. A lot of the kids that need help are eldest/only children and they don't necessarily have parents with footy experience.

Our club is still doing some game time in the traditional thirds and the more capable kids just dominate the whole affair. A strong focus on getting balls in hands for the bulk of the time is important otherwise you are going to lose huge numbers before/when you get to mods. I can get my kid to stand on the park picking his nose and kicking the grass for free, I don't need to fork out $160+ to do that.

 

[FRUMPY]

I've pretty much ignored it but you do bring up two excellent points.

I make sure our drills are quick and involved - lots of footy's being kicked around, hitting the tackle bags (kids love that), games like British Bulldog, Rob the Nest, etc. Last thing kids want to do at the end of the week is stand around at a witches hat.

My group is nearly half girls - they don't want to be treated any differently. The only concession I make is I pair up players with a designated opponent of similar ability - so often a girl will play on another girl in our game. It makes them more comfortable and willing to participate (rather than being bowled over by a boy that's just about to start shaving).

As I'm also the umpire, there are times when I'll call all the other players out and let the two opponents fight it out. This applies to the boys as well. It stops the really good players (a couple of which are girls by the way) from dominating every contest (they get plenty during the game anyway) and ensures everyone gets a kick in the game.

I should point out I'm coaching grade 5/6 so these kids are 10-12 years old. My view is try and make it fun, hopefully they'll learn something and hopefully they'll leave with a love of the game.

Yeah its good when the coach/instructor gets all the kids involved. Even choosing 2 different rucks each time so they get a chance to tap the ball and be around the play. My daughter kicked 2 goals in a grid game last week and was over the moon. She still hates watching footy and complains every time we go to a game, but loves auskick, especially when a few more girls started going. My son loves it and got to bump the tackling bag last week (BEST EVER!!!!!)

 

[Demonic Ascent]

My son is 5yo and just started Auskick a few weeks ago. They do the seem to be doing the 2.0 stuff where he is, just traditional footy skills drills but they break the kinder age kids off to a separate group (which is fair enough).

 

[Rusty Brookes]

Yeah its good when the coach/instructor gets all the kids involved. Even choosing 2 different rucks each time so they get a chance to tap the ball and be around the play. My daughter kicked 2 goals in a grid game last week and was over the moon. She still hates watching footy and complains every time we go to a game, but loves auskick, especially when a few more girls started going. My son loves it and got to bump the tackling bag last week (BEST EVER!!!!!)

Yep, I rotate each ruck contest so each kid gets a shot. I rotate the kick outs as well (particularly making sure the kids struggling to get the ball take the majority of kickouts). Glad to hear your kids are enjoying it. My son is not likely to play any organised sport but he loves Auskick.

 

[Leeda]

Our format is 9am start, skills training until 10am and then an hour long game, 4 15 minute qtrs with alternating positions.

shortlisted. canny but effective...

 

[jmojnr]

We have started it here. There was no separation of the kids into groups and that was a bit chaotic. I am not sure if that is standard???

The other problem I have is that a lot of the recommended drills need a ball each. I don't have anywhere near that many balls to do these drills. Is anyone else having that problem?

JM

 

[Silent Alarm]

They should play normal games and count the score and let me play. Ruck, rover, and if bombin' em from half back counts I'm a forward too.

 

[Silent Alarm]

As much as I agree with chaos and letting them play, you still need to teach them how to kick properly and how to handball. Just make it fun. One of my earliest memories is 'scoop the ice cream' and doing those drills. If you make it competitive then kids'll shut up and listen and go in a line and do a boring drill. 'Best handballer gets to play full forward' or something will get them keen.

 

[keithrichards]

This is my kids first year in Auskick. They are 6 and 7. Its a reasonably small Auskick centre with around 100 kids and only 20-25 in their respective age groups.

I find the drills are ok under the old system but last week they introduced the 2.0 system to the 4 and 5 year old groups. Things I saw that I liked:
- kids were always involved/moving and not stationary at a hat waiting their turn
- more parental involvement
- they appeared to like it
- even though they weren't footy skill sets I understand they are only 4 and 5 year olds so their motor skills aren't good yet.

Things I didn't like:
- they used round balls, not footballs (theyre there to learn football ffs)
- they were simple things like bouncing a ball in a ring or throwing it into a bucket, things they should be getting taught in primary school PE
- they weren't footy related skill sets

This week they are planning on introducing the 2.0 method to the older kids. I really hope its not the same stuff they put the 4 and 5 year olds through. It needs to be footballs, it needs to be football drills. They are there to learn footy not improve their general

I think the positives you outlined are exactly what the AFL are after, from my understanding of the program (involved in coaching our grade 1 kids). Previous years the kids were in long lines and getting 1 touch every minute, but now it’s 10+ touches a minute!

Our group use the round balls, but in conjunction with footies, don’t think there are any activities that are meant to be solely round balls.

We had a guy come out 2 weeks ago explaining the new 2.0 training and why it was introduced:
1. Gets more kids involved more often, not sitting on hats for ages.
2. Because of more girls doing auskick, the old method was to 'boy' orientated and this new method is better for girls (this didn't make any sense to me)

Yeah that makes no sense. Reckon your guy might have been going a bit off script there