Are You a Defender or an Attacker in Australian Football? Advice for Junior Players 

A famous Hawthorne coach named Alan Jeans had this idea that he continued to drum into his players. There are only two positions on the field. You will be both a defender and an attacker. If your team has the ball you become an attacker no matter where you are on the field. That means get yourself in a position to get the ball. If the opposition has the football, or the football is in dispute, you become a defender, again no matter where you are on the field. So you cover your opponent. A player who can understand this idea and can put it into practice; becomes a very ??????????????? valuable addition to his team.

When the football is in dispute or the game is to restart at the centre square:

When the game restarts, position yourself between your opponent and the ball. Place a hand on his/her chest so you know where he/she is. Once the ball is in play use your hand on your opponent's chest to push off your opponent to get a head start towards the football onto the next contest or to give a lead for your team mate.