There are many ways to coach. Different techniques, visions, goals, values and communication methods. The end results of whatever coaching methods we use is usually measured in the success of the pre determined goal at the start of the season. In senior footy this is usually measured in a Premiership Flag, for juniors it should be about development.
So how do we try and develop junior players so they can move into senior footy, whatever level that may be, so that they can help bring success to their club. Well according to an article written in the In Daily, an independent newspaper in Adelaide, it’s about creating players who think more.
Creating players that think more drastically improves a players ability to impact a game of footy. We need to create thinking players throughout junior footy by mixing games based decision making activities throughout training sessions. The following articles explains this theory.
“The development of ‘thinking’ players will create better team performances and ultimately make Australian Rules football a much safer and enjoyable game for juniors, according to sport experts at Flinders University.
Game-based coaching and game-play practice sessions give junior and senior players alike the chance to be more tactical, to play with purpose and respond more adeptly to the dynamics – and hazards – of the game, says Flinders University coaching analyst Associate Professor Shane Pill, who advises AFL and other leagues around the country.
“Compared to traditional training, which focuses on repetitive drill-based practice, the game sense approach gives players the skills to make better moment-to-moment decisions in a complex and dynamic sport,” says Associate Professor Pill, co-editor of Advances in Australian Football, a new in-depth look at the Great Australian Game.
“Drill based ‘off the line’ training can develop inattention ‘blindness’ that limits players’ perception decision-making and ability to play according to the realities of the game,” says Associate Professor Pill from the Sport, Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Research Centre at Flinders University.
Now acknowledged as the preferred approach of the AFL coach development department, he says Hawthorn’s award-winning senior coach Alastair Clarkson is a great supporter of the game-sense approach.
“The view of the three-time premiership coach is that young footballers right down to under-10s are being subjected to far too many training drills and not enough football. As a result, young footballers being drafted into AFL clubs not having adequate decision-making skills.
“But the game at the elite level is not the only concern.
“Teenagers should be learning how to play the game by playing it – and learning to enjoy it,” Associate Professor Pill says.
These tactics, along with advances in player selection, player movement, sport medicine and nutrition, are adding to the evolution of the great Australian game, says SHAPE Research Centre director Professor Murray Drummond, co-editor ofAdvances in Australian Football.
“Over time, the game of elite Australian football evolved from a community-based sport to what is now – entirely professional amidst a billion-dollar industry that has enormous social and cultural influence,” Professor Drummond says.
“This book is unique in that it delves into the social, scientific and coaching aspects of Australian football, from elite player level to community ‘grassroots’ engagement and junior player, Indigenous and women player development.
“It explores, challenges and highlights the significance of Australian football in Australian society, as well as the enormous changes that have occurred within the sport since the early 1900s when clubs were starting to emerge.”
The role of elite football in defining masculinity and football club culture is examined in another chapter by fellow Flinders University Sport, Health and Physical Activity lecturer Dr Deb Agnew.
“My chapter, ‘Becoming a star: life as an elite Australian footballer, identity construction and withdrawal from the spotlight,’ is based on research with 20 retired footballers,” Dr Agnew says.
“There is strong evidence to support the influence of Australian football in the development of masculine identity.
Throughout the year, players should be encouraged to kick on both sides of their body. A player who can do has a significant advantage when it comes to playing at a higher level. Even if your player’s goals is not to play AFL, it is still important to teach both sides as it is a key skill in modern football at all levels.
If you are a coach or a parent who wants to help their child develop, it would be a good idea to try and implement the following either at training, or the back yard.
Throughout the week you should be encouraging your players to kick on their opposite side throughout your activities, especially when pushed to that non-preferred side. Developing this tool will make that player so much better as a whole.
Think about players such as Sam Mitchel, who can get out of trouble from either side. They can also attack from either side of his body, making him a great player even if he may give away some six and speed than some other AFL Footballers.
During a Game
You may not necessarily want to set KPI’s for this as the occurrence may vary. However, you would want to let your players know that they should keep their own tally of opposite foot or even opposite hands handballs. Your players will know when they should be using their non-preferred side, therefore try to get them to tell you after the game how many times they did so when they had the chance.
After the game, have a discussion about why it is important to develop this skill and therefore try to get your players to understand the “why”. You can then use this feedback to take into your training session throughout the week, and reiterate the important of the opposite side.
In the upcoming School Holidays, we will have a Master Skill Development Program which will have a heavy focus on kicking skill development. If you want your child to improve their kicking, check out the link below to learn about the program and how it could improve the kicking of juniors.
Congratulations to Matthew Signorello for getting drafted to the Adelaide Crows at pick number 62. Matthew has a great life opportunity which footy has given him, and we wish him all the best.
How did he get there? Matthew, a 184cm tough, quick and athletic midfielder started his junior footy at West Preston Lake Side and then onto South Morang. He also played for Ivanhoe Grammar where he attended school and won this years Best and Fairest. In amongst these clubs, Matthew also starred for the Northern Knights when available and also played a trial game for Vic Metro. After being over-looked for the National Championships this year, Matthew continued to work hard and this may of been a blessing in disguish as he really stood out at TAC Cup level and School Level, catching the eye of Adelaide recruiters. All of the clubs Matthew has played for have contributed a huge role in the development of him as a player, and ultimately got him a chance in the AFL.
Picture Shawn Smits.
How was Vida Involved? Vince Dattoli has played a large role in helping Matthew get to where he is today. After meeting Matthew as a 12 year old back in the West Preston days, Matthews father asked Vince to do some individual work with him to help in his development. Vince worked with Matthew and suggested some other strength and conditioning training as well as skill work. Vince has also done some boxing work with Matthew to increase his strength and improve his toughness which has become a real asset in his game.
Here are some of the stats of Matthew from the Adelaide Football Club Site.
Signorello was the third onballer selected by Adelaide, joining Jordan Gallucci and Myles Poholke. The Club also bolstered its key-position stocks by drafting the versatile Elliot Himmelberg.
An energetic midfielder, Signorello played most of the season for Ivanhoe Grammar but averaged 23 disposals per game in eight TAC Cup appearances with Northern Knights.
After the draft Vince stated that “I am really proud of Matthew” and that “he worked really hard and maximised his talent”.
Skill Development and Vida – As previously mentioned, much of the recognition of Matthews success has come from himself and the clubs he has played for. However, the extra work on his skills through Vida definitely helped. The main components work on with Matthew were;
Kicking efficiency
Kicking accuracy
Strength through boxing
Quick decision making with fatigue
Mental toughness
All these skills and more make up the core principles in our Skill Development Sessions that Vince and Sav Rocca run. All players are welcome to get involved and work on their game and maximise their individual talent.
Contested Marking. Is it still relevant in the modern game?
One of our proud partners here at Vida Footy is Anthony Rocca. The 242 game AFL star has recently written an insightful piece evaluating the game over the past 5 years. Anthony is currently coaching at Collingwood at both the AFL and VFL and he is also passionate about junior development.
Contested making is the focus of Rocca’s article. As the game evolves year to year, Rocca still conveys contested marking still plays a critical role in the modern game. Here is the first part of his article. Next week the next we will post the remainder of the piece. Enjoy the read!
Years:
AFL Avg:
Premiers:
Finals:
2010
11.5
Collingwood
13.4
2011
12.8
Geelong
14.4
2012
11.6
Sydney
12.3
2013
10.7
Hawthorn
10.3
2014
9.6
Hawthorn
11.9
(Contested marking statistics over the past five years)
The conclusion to be drawn from the above figures is that the number of contested marks per match is declining, with sharp decline witnessed from 2012.
The likely reason for this is that teams are increasingly holding on to the ball as much as possible, retaining it in their control and using precision by foot and run, rather than long kicking that may put the ball back into dispute.
It is also clear from the figures that contested marking numbers rise above the AFL average in finals. In four of the five recorded seasons the average number of contested marks taken in finals is significantly above the AFL home and away average.
This suggests that finals, with their greater intensity and pressure, become ‘hot ball’ games where territory gained, especially early in finals, is preferred over possession. As such, greater opportunities for contested marks arise.
Although there is an obvious decline in contested marking numbers, it appears to be the case that the importance of contested marking players increases in finals and high pressure matches.
The decline in contested marking numbers is likely to be a product of tactical trends in the game but does not recognize the importance of a contested marking player who can provide relief to mid-field team-mates under pressure who may have to dispose of the football hurriedly.
Nor does it recognize the importance of the contest itself simply by contesting and bringing the ball to ground, a power or contested marking forward may bring teammates into play. Others will also take their cues, in terms of positioning, from their key forwards.
Despite the noted decline, the value of a contested mark remains high. The reward for effort it offers to team-mates who have worked hard further afield to create the opportunity is significant. A contested mark will also allow for a pause in play that can create momentum and, equally, shift momentum away from the opposition.
Most of all, the guaranteed opportunity to score from a contested mark, if taken inside or just outside of the 50 metre arc, is critical.
In my opinion, a modern day contested marking forward must possess three main qualities.
Reading the flight of the ball
Body positioning/strength
Clean hands
Reading the flight of the ball:
Reading the flight of the ball is possibly the hardest skill to coach and acquire.
Why? The relationship that a forward needs to have with team-mates is a complex and yet critical one. Marking forwards need to know the type of kicks each one of their team-mates can execute. One may spear the kick in short, one kick the ball long and another kick the ball across the body to the advantage side. Team-mates also need to know the strengths of their marking forwards; are they a good hit up lead, a player who leads laterally or a player who likes to trade weight and engage his opponents physically?
Establishing the flight of the ball quickly gives the marking forward an advantage on an opponent, who is not typically making the play but reacting to it. This advantage allows the marking player to get into a superior marking position earlier.
Without this skill, it is unlikely that a marking forward, no matter how strong or nimble, will regularly out-position their opponent.
Come back later on this week to read the next part of Rocca’s insightful article. Until then, watch one of the most famous contested marks ever.
