Classifying Training Drills Based on Movement Demands in Australian Football Jordan Loader 1 , Paul G. Montgomery 3 , Morgan D. Williams 1,2 , Christian Lorenzen 1,2 and Justin G. Kemp 1,2 1 School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Locked Bag 4115, Fitzroy MDC, Fitzroy VIC, Australia 3065 E-mail: morgan.williams@acu.edu.au 2 Centre of Physical Activity Across the Lifespan, Australian Catholic University, Locked Bag 4115, Fitzroy, Australia. 3 St Kilda Football Club, East Rd, Seaford, Victoria 3198, Australia ABSTRACT Time-motion data was used to classify a selection of training drills. Ten midfielders (age=23.8±1.8yr; height=183.9±3.8cm; mass=83.2±5.0 kg) from an Australian Football League team participated in 17 training drills and four quarters of an official competitive match. Heart rate and time-motion data were collected using Global Positioning and Heart Rate Systems. Cluster analysis of mean distance travelled in the seven velocity zones identified three clusters: 1) game-specific conditioning; 2) skill refining/moderate intensity dominant; and 3) skill refining/low intensity dominant. Differences between the three clusters in distance travelled at the speed zones were confirmed using one-way ANOVA. Differences between clusters were also assessed for number of efforts in velocity zones and percentage time in heart rate zones. When compared to drills with a focus on skill refining or performed on a reduced playing area, drills utilising the entire playing field better replicated the movement characteristics of competitive game play. Key words: Australian Rules Football, Game-Specific Conditioning, Global Positioning Systems, Heart-Rate Monitoring, Time-Motion Analysis, Training Drills INTRODUCTION In team sport, a range of methods and technology are currently used to track and monitor athletes during both competitive games and training. Subsequently, rich data sets are generated for a variety of analytical purposes. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) simultaneously captured with Heart Rate (HR) monitoring are now routinely monitored in team sport, to assess the physiological and movement demands of athletes [1, 2]. The widespread investment by sports teams and institutes in GPS and HR technology emphasises International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching Volume 7 · Number 1 · 2012 57 Reviewers: Nic James (Middlesex University, UK) Jim McKenna (Leeds Metropolitan University, UK)