Comparison of training activites and game demands in the Australian Football League

This paper serves as a companion to our recent study of the movement patterns and game activities of players (from five different positions) during matches in the 2000 Australian Football League season. Using lapsed-time video analysis, the same individual players {n= 11) as filmed in matches were also monitored during 21 in-season, main training sessions conducted by their clubs in order to assess the degree to which training activities matched game demands. In general, the training sessions did not involve physical pressure; therefore there were very few contested marks and ground balls or tackles, shepherds and spoils, thereby not matching these game demands. Players typically had more possessions (kicks and handballs) at training than in games. They also spent a greater percentage of total time standing and less time walking at training than in games. Fast-running and sprinting efforts at training were almost all for durations of