Auskick Drills for 5-8 Year Olds: A Parent Coach's Guide

What Auskick is actually trying to teach

Auskick is the AFL's official introduction to Australian football for kids aged 5-12, and at the 5-8 age bracket it's entirely non-contact and games-based. The goal isn't to teach tactics — it's to build comfort with the ball through kicking, handballing, marking and basic movement, all wrapped in activities that feel like play rather than drilling.

At this age, kids have short attention spans and varying coordination levels. The best sessions keep everyone moving, minimise standing in lines, and use a size 1 ball — the official Auskick size for this age group.

Five drills that work well

1. Kick to a target

Set up cones or hoops at varying distances. Kids kick toward the closest target first, then move further back as they succeed. This builds kicking technique without the pressure of kicking to a moving partner.

2. Handball relay

Split into small groups of 3-4. Kids handball the ball back and forth down the line, then run to the back once they've passed it. Keeps everyone moving and reinforces proper handball technique — fist meeting ball, not ball meeting fist.

3. Mark and call

Coach throws or kicks the ball into the air, calling a child's name as it goes up. That child runs to take the mark while the rest watch and cheer. Great for building confidence with overhead marking in a low-pressure, one-at-a-time format.

4. Boundary throw-in scramble

A simplified, low-contact version of a boundary throw-in. Two small groups face off over a ball on the ground; on the whistle, the first to gain possession and kick to a target scores a point. Adds excitement while reinforcing first-to-the-footy instincts.

5. Mini match

Finish every session with a short, modified game — smaller teams, smaller field, no tackling. This is usually the highlight of the session and the best way to see which skills are sticking.

Structuring a 45-minute session

A simple structure that works well for this age group:

• 5 min warm-up — light running games to get energy out before structured drills
• 10 min kicking drill — kick to a target
• 10 min handball drill — handball relay
• 5 min marking drill — mark and call
• 15 min mini match — putting it together

Adjust timing based on energy levels — if a drill is landing well, let it run a few minutes longer; if attention is fading, transition early.

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest one is over-coaching. At this age, correcting every technical error pulls kids out of the fun and makes them hesitant to try again. Pick one or two coaching points per drill, and let the rest go.

The second is too much standing around. Long queues for a single kicking lane mean most kids are watching rather than participating. Split into smaller groups with multiple targets running at once wherever possible.