Skill Testing for Juniors

If I could go back to the early years of my coaching, one thing I would do is regularly test the skills of my players, so that I could establish the strengths and weaknesses of the group. There have not been many skill test documented in our sport and the best that would be done is players having 10 shots a goal from different angles to give them a score for accuracy.

Over the last few seasons it has been necessary to test players for the All Australian pre-draft camp and players on AFL club lists.

Tests have included vertical jump, shuttle running, agility circuits, weights and fitness. I have no doubt that these tests will become a feature of coaching football sooner rather than later. I believe that tests for both junior and senior players should be completed in small groups, so that players are not intimidated by team mates standing and watching.
It is also important that players understand why the tests are being done and the benefits to their football development. The environment should be relaxed and whilst you want the players to do the tests correctly, look to take the pressure from them by having a fun environment when resting between tests. Results should be documented and players should be tested at the start of the season, and at least twice during the in season time frame.

TESTING JUNIOR PLAYERS

For junior coaches, use testing as a way of varying training and challenging your players to better their previous score. Offer them hints, which in turn will better their results when they are being tested. Keep the tests simple, but enjoyable. If required, make modifications to your standard tests to help the young player who may not kick as far as some of his team mates. Where possible, design or purchase certificates of achievement for players who can reach certain levels at testing.
The area to test young players are ground skills, marking, kicking, handball and bouncing. It is important not pressure the younger players by putting them under the clock to achieve, because at the early ages it is more important that their technique is correct. As the players get better at the basic skills and you want to challenge them, add a speed component by giving them a skill to perform in a certain time. (E.g. 10 handballs in 25 seconds etc. Try and keep the tests the same and where possible, the conditions that you test them under should be similar.
Following are some examples of basic skill tests for young players. Think about designing your own tests and see how well your players are developing. Remember to base it around challenge and fun and at all times give positive feedback, no matter what the results. When testing your players, you should be making observations on technique (Skill Teaching Principles) and watching to make sure that the player is keeping his head still when controlling the ball at ground level, or that his hands are level when marking.
With kicking, it is important to ensure that the player keeps the ball inside the line of the body and is running straight at the target. Give the feedback where necessary, in a positive manner. If you cannot offer the right advice, find someone to help, as it is vital that they are taught correctly.
Test 1. Ground Skills – Set up a grid, or a circuit, where a player has to run and pick up a stationary ball and handball it. Follow that with a ball rolled away from him, which must be picked up and handballed then have a ball rolled at him, which he must pick up while moving and then handball. Repeat the process three times. The scoring is 3 points for a clean pick up. 2 points if he double grabs to pick up, 1 point if he takes more than two grabs to pick up the ball or 0 points if the ball goes behind him. Make sure the person that he handballs to, is in his vision, so that as he picks up the ball, the target player is straight ahead. The maximum score for this basic test is 27 points.
Test 2. Marking skills – A simple marking test would be to have a kicker stand approximately 10 meters from the player doing the test. The tested player leads hard for the ball that is kicked either straight at him or up in the air. Try to vary it so the young player gets to practice his marking overhead and on the chest. The player has 10 shots and is sent back to the start point between each kick. Points are awarded as follows; 3 points for a one grab mark in the hands; 2 points if he double grabs; 1 point if he takes more than two grabs to control the mark and 0 points if he drops the ball. Maximum points for this test is 30.
Test 3. Kicking skills – This test can be for distance on preferred and non-preferred sides of the body, or for accuracy in front of goal. Measure out a course allowing for players who can kick a fair distance. Set up a gate at one end where the players has 2 kicks on each leg and the longest distance is then recorded for each. Another test for the player could be set shots at goal from a set distance that is determined by the coach. The player has 10 kicks and the scoring is 3 points for a goal, 2 points if they hit a goal post and 1 point if they kick a behind. If the ball does not make the distance or score, no points are to be awarded. This is one test where players should be tested on both sides of their body. E.g. 5 kicks on preferred and 5 kicks on non-preferred. As the players become more accurate, close the space between the goals so that it becomes harder to score maximum points (or use more posts in between the original post) The maximum score for accuracy at goals is 30 points.
Test 4. Handball skills – Obtain a handball target and set a distance (3-5 meters) so that the player doing the test has the ball thrown to him which he must mark and then handball at the target immediately. Give him 10 shots at this test and challenge the better skilled players to alternate right hand then left hand. If the ball goes through it is 5 points; it hits the edge, but goals to go through is 2 points. Maximum score possible 50 points. It is important to note which hand the payer uses for each handball or kick as it will give you a good indication on how they are going on their no preferred sides.

Test 5. Bouncing skills – Design a circuit with markers approximately 10 meters apart that includes changes in direction. Make each lap a course that includes 5-6 bounces and see how long the player takes to run from the start, bounce at each marker and complete the circuit twice. Players must run around the markers and bounce, turn and accelerate to the next position. The time it takes to complete the course twice is their score. Players must bounce the ball and not just touch it on the ground.

TESTING SENIOR PLAYERS

Make sure that the players understand the benefits to the team, and to the individual, of testing skill levels at various times of the season. As mentioned earlier, revolve the session around challenging the players and also having a bit of fun between tests.
Unlike the basic tests for junior players, (where they are working on technique more so than speed), we need to challenge the senior players and combine both area. I have included a test record sheet to assist you in charting the progress of your players throughout the season. The tests listed are conducted at the All- Australian pre draft camp and are suitable for all players above the age of 16 who have a reasonable skill l level.
Test 1. Speed and Accuracy Kick – This test is set up approximately 35 meters form goal, the second is 5 meters further back and the third is 5 meters further again. The lines need to run parallel to the goals and should be about 10 meters in width. Place 10 balls on the middle line. The goals are set up with 2 cones placed evenly in between each behind and goal post as well as between each goal post. The scoring system is, if the ball is kicked between the behind post and first cone it is 1 point. Between goalpost and second cone is 2 points. Between first cone and second is 5 and back down the other side (Refer diagram) Should the ball hit a post, the lower score counts. The player doing the test starts on the middle line with the balls. He has 80 seconds to complete 10 shots at goal. He is to run to the back line and touch the furthest line, and then repeat the process. Remember that he must alternate between left and right foot kicks, so that the test will give you a gauge on where he needs to improve. The player is only allowed 80 seconds so he must keep working. Any kick after 80 seconds in not recorded.
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Test 2. Speed and Accuracy Handball – This test will require 2 handball targets which you may need to purchase, or borrow, if you do not have them. Set up the target approximately 6 meters in front of where the player stands and slightly to the left or right of the player. (There needs to be enough room between the targets for an assistant to stand and pass the balls to the tested player. The handball targets should be marked with circles and numbered 10 through the middle, 7 at the next circle followed by 5 then 3. The player being tested is thrown 10 footballs one after the other by the assistant and must alternate between left hand then right hand. He has 20 seconds to complete the 10 handballs and his score is then recorded. (Refer diagram) I is important the assistant throwing the ball to the player aims for the chest area. Players will have a score out of 100 after 10 handballs are completed.
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Test 3. Ground Skills – Set up a grid measuring 3 meters in width and 8 meters in length and mark it out with cones. The player doing these test stands at one end of the grid and the person rolling or kicking the ball is at the other end, 8 meters away. It is a test where the player is not timed, but he is expected to move back to the start point after each ball quickly. The person throwing or kicking the ball will roll it hard at the player running at him. Remember when rolling the ball it must be at ground level and it is fine to kick the ball instead of throwing it (Refer diagram for set up this test)
Scoring
. 3 points for clean pick up
. 2 points for two grabs
. 1 point for more than 2 grabs
. 0 points if ball goes behind or outside of the grid
Diagram
Test 4. Marking Skills – Very similar in set up to test 3, except the grid is moved out to 5 meters in width by 10 meters in length. Scoring this test is also similar. The player marking will receive 2 points for a one grab controlled mark, 1 point if he should double grab and 0 score should he drop the ball. The player kicking the ball should vary the speed of the kicks, but make sure that they are all drop punts aimed around the head or chest area. This is another test where the players are not timed, but are expected to keep moving back quickly after they handball. They have a total of 10 attempts to mark and will be given to total score out of 20.
Test 5. Kicking Distance – Preferred Leg – Very basic test in which the measuring gauge is set up to cover 6 meters. Set up a 5 meter kicking area where the tested player starts from and then measure and mark out 30 meter and every 5 meters there after. The player may not run any further back than the designated 5 meter area. He will have 2 kicks on his preferred eg and will score only with his best kick. Let the ball hit the ground and stand where it bounced to then gauge how far the kick traveled using the 5 meter markers.
Diagram
Test 6. Kicking Distance – No Preferred Leg.
(Same as test 5 except using the no preferred leg).
Test 7. Tackling – Set up 4 tackling bags in a diamond shape or a square, approximately 5 meters apart. The player doing the test starts in the middle and tackles as many of the bags as he can in 30 seconds. He must go to ground with each bag and recover quickly to attack the next bag. He can go in any direction he likes, but the tackles must be legal and not too high. Average score should be around 12-13 tackles and the players will need to push hard towards the end when they get tire.
Diagram
Test 8. Tackling and Goal kicking – Set up 3 tackle bags approx 35 meters from goal at thee different angles. Place a ball on top of each of the bags. The player being tested must run away from the goal, tackle the bag, spill the ball, get up, recover the ball and kick for goal. They are to have ten shots at goal and must be moving at all times. They should have three shots art the two angles and four directly in front. They are not to tackle the same bag twice in a row. Total score is the number of goals kicked.

Skill Testing – Individual Results Test
1. Speed and Accuracy Kick – 10 kicks in 80 seconds table
2. Speed and Accuracy Handball – handballs in 20 seconds table
3. Ground Level Skills – 10 balls at feet inside a grid table
4. Marking Skills – 10 marks inside a grid table
5. Distance kick – Preferred leg x 2 )best distance) table
6. Distance kick – Non Preferred leg x 2 (best distance) table – Meters
7. Tackling – 4 bags as many tackles in 30 seconds table – tackles
8. Tackling/Goal kicking x 10 table – goal