Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

[Bornadog]

Time and again when we are under pressure in the backline, we just slam the ball on the boot and try to kick it as far as we can up the ground, only to kick to the opposition.

This tactic cost us the game against Freo and certainly we did it many times last week as well as against Essendon. Surely, when players are under pressure due to the forward press, they can slow down a bit and think about the next disposal? I find this very frustrating.

[Mantis]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

Who do you think are the worst offenders?

You also talk about slowing down to assess options, but if they are under pressure what options do they have, but to move the ball on?

[Bornadog]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

Who do you think are the worst offenders?

You also talk about slowing down to assess options, but if they are under pressure what options do they have, but to move the ball on?

Worst offenders are but not limited to:

Boyd, Cross, Libba sometimes, Cooney.

I would rather they force a ball up or handpass in front of themselves and then play on., but just slamming it on the boot is disaster.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

Time and again when we are under pressure in the backline, we just slam the ball on the boot and try to kick it as far as we can up the ground, only to kick to the opposition.

This tactic cost us the game against Freo and certainly we did it many times last week as well as against Essendon. Surely, when players are under pressure due to the forward press, they can slow down a bit and think about the next disposal? I find this very frustrating.

Of course the alternative is not getting rid of it and be done for HTB in a nanosecond

[1eyedog]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

I would prefer a long bomb out rather than a holding the ball decision 25 metres out from goal as well.

I agree that the only option out of defence under a forward press is a quick kick out but why are we kicking it straight to an opposition player? Do we need to play one on one behind the play so this doesn't happen? Playing one on one behind the play will reduce the numbers we have in D50 which will create more space and opportunities for the opposition to score.

I's ugly when our whole team are in the opposition's F50. If our backline was able to exert more pressure in D50 we could free up players to play a one on one contest for that quick kick out of defence under pressure. A contest is better than kicking to loose men behind the play.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

I think the hard thing to digest is that when the opposition does the same thing with a quick clearing kick, they seem to have loose players there waiting for it and we never do.

[Desipura]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

I have an idea, why dont our onballers run in 3s and 4s so they dont just bomb it to no one?

[mjp]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

Who do you think are the worst offenders?

You also talk about slowing down to assess options, but if they are under pressure what options do they have, but to move the ball on?

It isn't the fault of the player with the ball. Once their hands are clear in a contested situation, they HAVE to dispose of it...having a hands before feet mentallity helps, but if you cannot see the release target for the trees, then a forward kick is the only option.

The problem is that our 30m release kick seems to be a surprise to all other players down the ground...regular training watchers could say if we practise this element of the game - quick kick hacked out of congestion intended for a 'spot' 30m downfield where we have a designated receiver. It isn't the kick that is wrong - it is the fact that there is not a contest at the other end of it!

[Doc26]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

It isn't the fault of the player with the ball. Once their hands are clear in a contested situation, they HAVE to dispose of it...having a hands before feet mentallity helps, but if you cannot see the release target for the trees, then a forward kick is the only option.

The problem is that our 30m release kick seems to be a surprise to all other players down the ground...regular training watchers could say if we practise this element of the game - quick kick hacked out of congestion intended for a 'spot' 30m downfield where we have a designated receiver. It isn't the kick that is wrong - it is the fact that there is not a contest at the other end of it!

This is my thinking MJP. One of the biggest 'culprits' in slamming the boot onto the ball is also regarded as one of the best players going around, Dane Swan. He gets away with it because he has legitimate contested options up the gound that are well prepared and skilful enough to make it work. We, me included, often criticise Boyd in particular for his loose disposal by foot from a stoppage and yet so often I see Swan doing the same thing and getting away with it, often as an effective disposal.

[Sedat]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

It isn't the fault of the player with the ball. Once their hands are clear in a contested situation, they HAVE to dispose of it...having a hands before feet mentallity helps, but if you cannot see the release target for the trees, then a forward kick is the only option.

The problem is that our 30m release kick seems to be a surprise to all other players down the ground...regular training watchers could say if we practise this element of the game - quick kick hacked out of congestion intended for a 'spot' 30m downfield where we have a designated receiver. It isn't the kick that is wrong - it is the fact that there is not a contest at the other end of it!

St Kilda have been terrific in the last couple of years at anticipating the quick kick from congestion and getting the numerical advantage at where the kick will land - likewise Collingwood are exceptional at this.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

We used to run in packs and use 3 - 6 handballs to get out of trouble. This doesnt seem to happen as much anymore. I would have thought with guys like Cross, Boyd, Hudson and Libba that this handball linking would be one of our strengths.

[1eyedog]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

We used to run in packs and use 3 - 6 handballs to get out of trouble. This doesnt seem to happen as much anymore. I would have thought with guys like Cross, Boyd, Hudson and Libba that this handball linking would be one of our strengths.

This is difficult against a forward press and can more often than not result in turn overs. This is how Collingwood beat Geelong in last years final when Geelong tried to play bravado out of their back half.

We are simply not winning enough clearances in order to anticipate this clearance kick in order to set up a one on one contest. The Suns beat us in clearances as we all know.

[1eyedog]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

St Kilda have been terrific in the last couple of years at anticipating the quick kick from congestion and getting the numerical advantage at where the kick will land - likewise Collingwood are exceptional at this.

St. Kilda have this luxury with a gun inside mid in Hayes, so could anticpate this congested kick, not so anymore which is just one of the many reasons why they are struggling, likewise Collingwood with Ball and Swan. When you get beat for clearances by the a new AFL team it is hard to ad hoc a loose set play which anticipates this.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

Who do you think are the worst offenders?

You also talk about slowing down to assess options, but if they are under pressure what options do they have, but to move the ball on?

Boyd.......45 possessions against Freo and yet a high % were ineffective or turnovers
Cross......

These two by a country mile.

As to what we should do alternatively, handball to a congested contest? No prior opportunity it will be a ball up. Handball to a guy away from the contest - allows space.

Simply kicking the ball in hope just sees it rebound back when we haven't set back up. Its a temporary relief which then means the pressure returns twice as hard.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Slamming the Ball on the Foot when Under Pressure

Murphy shows for the most part how to kick accurately.
I think we need players up ahead to present as well.

I think Addison, Ward and Griffen kick the ball poorly also.
Hargrave in the past also!!

Maybe its easier to name who are good kicks!
Murphy, Gia...mmmm Higgins??!!