Best Partner Drills to Improve Australian Rules Football Skills

Australian Rules football rewards players who can use the ball cleanly under pressure. A reliable handball, a well-timed lead and the ability to win a ground ball can all come down to skills you practise with one teammate. Partner drills are easy to set up, need little equipment and give you plenty of chances to repeat game-like actions.

The best sessions do more than rehearse technique in a straight line. They build in movement, decision-making and light pressure, so you practise handling the ball when you’re tired or off balance. Try the drills below at a training oval or open space, and adjust the pace to suit your experience and fitness.

1. Moving handball and receive

This drill improves handball accuracy while teaching you to move onto the ball and keep running after you dispose of it. It is useful for midfielders, half-backs and anyone who needs to link up quickly in traffic.

Stand about 8 to 10 metres apart, each with a football.
Player A handballs to Player B, then runs forward at an angle to offer a new target.
Player B gathers, turns towards the new target and handballs back.
Continue moving down the oval, changing direction every few exchanges.

Complete three sets of 30 to 45 seconds, with a short rest between sets. Keep your hands ready, call for the ball and aim to receive it in front of your body. Work on both sides: a clean handball with your preferred hand matters, but so does being able to use the other hand when pressure takes away your first option.

2. Handball under closing pressure

In a match, a handball often has to be made as an opponent closes in. This drill adds controlled pressure without turning the session into a tackle contest.

Stand 6 to 8 metres apart. One player begins with the ball; the other acts as a defender.
The defender jogs towards the ball-carrier from a few metres away, closing space without making contact.
The ball-carrier takes a steadying step, finds the receiver and handballs before the defender reaches them.
Swap roles after five attempts, then increase the defender’s closing speed if both players are comfortable.

Focus on staying balanced and protecting the ball with your body. Don’t rush the handball so early that it floats, but don’t wait until you’re trapped either. The receiver should adjust their position to give the ball-carrier a clear angle, rather than standing directly behind the defender.

3. Marking on the lead

A good lead creates separation and gives the kicker a clear target. This drill helps forwards practise timing, while the feeder works on hitting a moving player with a kick they can mark.

Set up two cones about 15 to 20 metres apart. One player starts near the first cone as the feeder; the other begins a few metres away as the leading player.
The forward moves across the feeder’s line of sight, changes direction and leads towards open space.
The feeder kicks to the player’s path, aiming in front rather than directly at their chest.
After five leads, switch roles. Repeat with leads to either side.

Start at a comfortable kicking distance and extend it only if the feeder can consistently reach the target. The leading player should build speed after the change of direction and show their hands late. This helps avoid telegraphing the lead and gives the kicker time to pick it out. If the ball is difficult to mark, reduce the pace and work on a clean drop punt before adding movement.

4. Ground-ball pickup and quick disposal

Loose-ball contests are a regular part of footy, and the next action matters as much as the pickup. This partner drill links a low gather with a quick, accurate disposal.

Stand 8 to 10 metres apart. Player A rolls the ball firmly along the ground towards Player B.
Player B approaches at a jog, bends at the knees and gathers the ball cleanly with two hands.
After the pickup, Player B turns away from an imaginary opponent and handballs or kicks back to Player A.
Swap the type of roll: straight, slightly left or slightly right.

Do two sets of six pickups each, then change roles. Keep your eyes on the ball through the gather and get your body behind it when possible. If it bobbles, stay composed and make a second effort rather than giving up on the contest. To raise the difficulty, have the feeder call “left” or “right” just before rolling the ball.

5. One-on-one body positioning

Contested marking depends on reading the flight and holding a strong position. Practise the footwork first, then add a gentle contest. This should be controlled; it is not a drill for barging, wrestling or high-impact contact.

Stand 5 to 8 metres apart. The feeder tosses or gently kicks the ball above head height.
The marker moves to get between the ball and their partner, keeping their eyes on the ball.
The partner applies light pressure from behind or to the side, without pushing or grabbing.
After the mark, swap roles. Try a few balls that land slightly in front or to either side.

Practise taking the ball at its highest safe point, with your hands forming a firm target. The player applying pressure should focus on positioning, not contact. If either player feels unsteady, return to uncontested marks and work on jumping and landing under control.

6. Kick, follow and defend

This simple drill brings together kicking accuracy and defensive recovery. It is especially useful for players learning to make a disposal, then stay involved in the next phase.

Set two cones about 20 metres apart. One player kicks towards the other, who marks or gathers the ball.
As soon as the kick is made, the kicker follows at a jog and becomes a defender.
The receiver turns, takes a few steps into space and tries to complete a controlled kick or handball past the approaching defender.
Swap roles after each attempt. Keep the defender’s pressure light and avoid contact.

Begin with a clear target and plenty of space. Later, the receiver can choose whether to handball or kick, while the defender varies their angle of approach. This encourages the ball-carrier to scan, stay balanced and choose a safe option rather than disposing of the ball blindly.

How to make partner drills more effective

Use a warm-up before faster work: light running, mobility and a few short handballs help prepare your body. A size 5 football is standard for many adult players, but juniors should use a ball that suits their age and strength. Cones are useful for marking distances, though you can also use lines on the oval.

Prioritise clean skills. Slow down if your handballs or kicks become inaccurate.
Train both sides. Switch kicking feet and handball hands where possible.
Add pressure gradually. Build from stationary practice to movement, then to light defensive pressure.
Keep sessions focused. Choose three or four drills and repeat them with a clear purpose.
Stay safe. Check the space for holes and other players, and keep contested work controlled.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I practise partner drills?

One or two focused sessions a week can help you build consistency. Even 15 to 20 minutes of quality work is useful if you practise regularly and give both players plenty of turns.

Can I do these drills alone?

Some skills, such as kicking at a target or gathering a ball rolled off a wall, can be practised solo. But a partner makes it easier to work on leads, timing, changing angles and decisions under pressure.

What equipment do I need?

For most drills, you need one football and a safe, open space. A second ball can reduce waiting time, while cones help set distances and targets.

Which drill should a beginner start with?

Start with moving handballs and uncontested marking on the lead. Keep the distance short, focus on technique and add speed only when the ball is travelling cleanly.

Final Thoughts

Partner drills can sharpen the skills that make a difference across the ground: clean handballs, accurate kicks, strong leads and composed ground-ball pickups. Keep the work purposeful, practise both sides and build pressure step by step. With regular repetition, the movements become easier to trust when the game speeds up.

Aiden Cross

Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.