Central East Region AFCA

Coaches Inside this issue: Inside this issue: Seminar 1 Inside the CoachesCourses 2009 1 SP ECIUpcomingEvents AL FEATURES: 2 Coaches Box

Review of

CoachesNewSponsor 2009 Seminar with

the Hawthorn

FC Coaches Coaches Seminar

Kicking Skill With Hawthorn FC Coaches - Ross Smith & David Rath

Card In June, approximately 60 members of the Central East AFCA and local coaches attended a coaching seminar with Hawthorn‟s High Performance Coach, David Rath and Backline Coach, Ross Smith. Coach of the

Year David has a background in Sports Science and has previously worked at the AIS

as a Biomechanist and is well-known for his expertise in „Coaching Kicking‟. He Invitation highlighted the need for young players to self-explore and experiment with

different types and shaped balls and different types of kicks to enable them to learning through a greater range of practice.

David believes that the fundamentals of kicking are important to be taught and practised at a young age and that there is not one particular correct model to teach technique, rather that it is the efficiency and outcome of the kick that is most important. Learning to adapt and hold the ball to kick the right kick for the right situation is the aim of „Coaching Kicking‟. INSIDE THIS ISSUE : Ross Smith has been an Assistant Coach at Hawthorn for the past 4 years and talked to the coaches about aspects of coaching the backline that the club believe are essential. He highlighted that the days of purely defensive players lining up in Defence The the backline are well gone and the need for a mix of offensive and defensive Art of by Mick players is very important. Ross demonstrated some of Hawthorn‟s general Malthouse principle‟s on their „point kick in‟s‟ (PKI‟s) and explained what are some of the teams „key performance indicators‟ (KPI‟s)when measuring the success of the backline on game day. Goal Kicking – Coaching Young

Players by

Dealing with

winning and losing by Steve Hargrave

Drills you can use.

Invitation The Central East/Oakleigh Region of the Australian Football Coaches Association invites you to our:

Date: Wednesday 9th September, 2009 Venue: The Mulgrave Country Club

With Special Guest:

Time: 7.00pm – for 7.30pm start Dress: Smart Casual Cost: $35 per person Meal: 3 Courses

Drinks can be purchased at bar prices

RSVP Friday 28th August To: Mark Smart Ph: 9563 0588 Email: [email protected] Defence The art of …...

As a coach, you need evidence to opposition‟s goals. You‟re trying reinforce your message in to penetrate each other‟s everything you do because defences. The original rules of the players will inevitably question game state it clearly. Even back your methods. But defence is an then, defence was part of the easy sell because the evidence is grand plan. If you don‟t believe patently clear: premiership teams me, watch field umpires when have strong defensive they pay a free kick: they don‟t mechanisms. It‟s not something point to the end you‟re kicking to, you dream up and players think; they point to the other end, your “What‟s he talking about?” It‟s actual goals – the one you are historical fact – you only need to defending. The game was take a cursory glance at designed around the protection premiership sides to work that of your own goals. People assume out – and coaches must that my coaching philosophies acknowledge history. Of course, stem from the fact I was a defence is not a modern backman from the era phenomenon. As much as of defence, but the fact of the defensive methods have changed matter is it doesn‟t matter what and been given increasing your playing background is, most emphasis, it‟s very much a case of coaches come around to that way everything has changed but of thinking anyway. Leigh nothing has changed. Defence is Matthews kicked 900-odd goals as old as the game itself. (915) and was probably the best rover/forward pocket player of all Although Australian Football has time but Leigh would be the first been going 150 years, very few to acknowledge that to be the people would make this successful you need to be good observation: you don‟t kick to enough defensively to limit the your goals, you kick to your opposition‟s scoring, as well as happen. Last year, for example kick goals yourself. we had Simon Prestigiacomo for only two games. Similarly, I‟m not saying that you need to be Hawthorn would be a better side the best defensive side because with at centre half there are numerous other things back. Although the basics of you must do extremely well to be backline play have remained successful, but you need to familiar - ie. you want to stop understand its importance. If you your opponent and clear the ball examine other ball sports like from the danger area – numerous soccer, rugby union, rugby factors have combined to change league, gridiron, hockey and polo, the general style of play from the single most talked about issue defence. For instance , we rarely is how to defend the ball. That play on boggy grounds now; doesn‟t mean you‟re ignoring playing surfaces are first class, offensive play – you need good which enables players to run on scorers, too. Defenders save top of the ground and show their games; forwards win games. wares. Whether defenders also win games will always be a matter of Once upon a time, when you conjecture. The point is: a good kicked in from full back, you‟d team has a balance of offence and kick long and wide to the side of defence. A classic example was the ground that was favoured by the contrasting careers of two the wind, or the side that was the champion goal kickers – Tony boggiest. Now teams try to take Lockett and . the ball down the middle where Lockett kicked the record number possible, and the opposition try of goals but didn‟t win a to guard against it so they don‟t premiership for St Kilda or concede „coast to coast‟ goals. Sydney, while Dunstall kicked This has been brought about by a almost as many goals for change in tactics rather than a Hawthorn and was a member of change in mentality, because you four premiership sides. It‟s little still want to stop sides. There is a wonder the Hawks were so far more defensive mindset at successful for so long when you stoppages these days. Long gone consider that in addition to a are the days of rovers such as superb forward line, they also Bobby Skilton running free one boasted defenders the calibre of and Billy Goggin running free the , and other at a centre bounce and just . allowing the best ruckman to put the ball in their path for a clean It‟s no coincidence that St Kilda takeaway. We don‟t want the and Geelong have been the two Chris Judds and Gary Abletts top sides this season. Although running free. You want your many people associate their ruckman to ensure the ball goes success with ‟s form to areas where the opposition can and the brilliance of Gary Ablett least hurt you, while still being as and Steve Johnson, the reality is offensive as possible yourself. It‟s they have been the hardest teams about finding that balance. We to score against. If you were expect good offensive play from writing a script on how to win a our backmen, but if you give too premiership, the first thing you‟d much room to a want settled is your back six. Of or a „Buddy‟ Franklin, they‟ll kick course, that doesn‟t always 8 or 10 goals. Therefore, the first priority is always to beat your between the midfield, bench and direct opponent. You generally forward line, which makes it find that the back six are a team crucial to get the match ups right. within a team because they rely Fortunately for us, our captain heavily on one another and share , plays in defence, the pain of a goal scored against and we also have the experience them. In the forward line, of players such as Prestigiacomo. mistakes don‟t appear to be as We don‟t give our backmen carte costly because they don‟t blanche to make changes as they necessarily result in goals to the see fit, but we have faith in our opposition whereas turnovers in back six, particularly in our the backline often result in shots captain, who discusses potential at goal. changes and match ups with our defensive coach, Mark Neeld, in In many ways, it‟s tougher now the week leading up to the match. for backmen than ever before. In We trust Nick to implement those light of the rule changes relating changes as they arise. I think to hands-in-the-back and most backlines would operate in a chopping-the-arms, I joke with my similar way, where they empower forwards about how easy they‟ve a designated player to make got it compared to backmen. But those alterations. Otherwise, we that‟s a backman‟s lot: they have just send a runner out to do it. to contend with having a low Leadership is paramount, profile, high pressure and having especially in the back half. For their mistakes magnified. The decades, genuine playmakers rushed behind rule has also have been swung to the backline forced a change in mindset and added another dimension to because players have to think their team. In the 70‟s more before they act. But that‟s and were why they are full-time footballers: wonderful wingmen, and they have to practise their art. captains, who made terrific And anyway, players are like kids: transitions to defenders. More they are very resilient and they modern examples include Gavin adjust very quickly to anything Wanganeen and Andrew McLeod that‟s thrown at them. It‟s both wonderful ball-getting important to adjust quickly to players who became almost situations on the field – not only uncontrollable when you gave in contests, but also with match them any space. They made the ups. In my day, the rover changed back half their own, amassing with the forward pocket two or midfield stats and delivering so three times a quarter and the key well. You couldn‟t say they didn‟t forwards generally stayed on defend well – they were great position, but at times these days, defenders because they usually the opposition can rotate had the ball.

Mick Malthouse Coaching Career Games: 602 Record: 337 wins, 261 losses, 4 draws Winning percentage: 56 Finals: 40 Premierships: 2 (West Coast 1992, 1994)

Reference: AFL Record visit aflrecord.com.

Goal Kicking – Coaching Young Players

By Paul Hudson, Assistant Coach of Collingwood FC.

As a junior growing up I often attended training with my dad and I could be found down one end of the ground, near the goals, kicking the footy. This was the only area on the ground that I could practice without getting in the way of training. As it turned out, this was the part of my game that guided me to a successful AFL career.

A team should be aiming to kick every goal but, as this is not really possible, they should aim for a 2:1 conversion of shots scored, from both set shots and snaps, e.g. 30 shots (20 goals and 10 behinds).

How do you address this?

Through Technique, Routine, Practice and Drills

Technique – Kicking technique should be learnt/taught at the earliest possible time in a young person‟s life, as incorrect technique is always difficult to alter as people mature. If a parent chooses to coach their own child, they should thoroughly research the correct technique.

Routine - Establish a routine that you can call on when the time comes for a .

Practice - Practice this skill as often as possible so you will feel more comfortable when faced with kicking a goal in a match – practice makes perfect.

Drill - Putting this skill into drills at training makes this more like a game situation which means it is more realistic and prepares you for pressure situations.

Personally, I took pride in my goal kicking and my conversion rate was 65% for my AFL career. This was due to years of practice and having a routine that I always applied when having a shot at goal.

Some key points when having a shot at goal

Give yourself plenty of room from the man on the mark e.g. 6-8 steps and then work out your approach from that spot (this means that the man on the mark is out of the equation).

Pick out a target behind the goals that will not move – this is used so that your approach is straight and you have something to focus on - not the man on the mark (the target is where you want the ball to end up). Make a mark on the ground in line with the middle of the goals and your target behind the goals. This should also be the last step of your approach. What should happen is that your kicking foot should go straight through the mark on the ground which means you can watch the ball onto your foot correctly and not look where the ball is going to end up – the mark is like your radar and guides the ball in the right direction – through the goals.

At the start of approach have the ball in line with preferred kicking leg and it should stay in line (not move around). Run in a straight line towards the mark on the ground and the target behind the goals. Work out how many steps you feel comfortable with in your own approach – this should become automatic if practiced enough. A tip is to start walking and build up to a pace that is comfortable when you kick – keep balanced.

My approach would be 14 steps; this is used with the first 10 steps walking in watching the target behind the goals whilst gathering speed and during the last 4 steps focusing on the spot on the ground.

Body position is important – keep relatively upright or slightly hunched forward. This way you guide the ball onto your boot better, with more control and less chance of error. When you lean back, there is more chance of error - you don‟t drop ball straight and there is a bigger gap between hand and boot. The ball will travel higher in the air with less distance.Drop ball correctly and straight onto your boot, as you were on the approach – the ball should land on the top half of the laces in the middle of your boot.

Staying focused and running through your routine will help you eliminate any distractions that may take place – talk yourself through your routine and at all times have a positive mindset - tell yourself that you will kick the goal.

2009 AFCA Sponsor

We welcome the Mulgrave Country Club on board as our major sponsor for this year. We very much appreciate the assistance and support of the Mulgrave Country Club in our

work in Coach Education and Player Development.

Please support the Mulgrave Country Club by attending their great club and enjoy the many forms of entertainment on

offer. Visit their website

www.mulgravecc.com.au

Dealing with "Winning and Losing" in Junior

Sport

Steve Hargrave, Manager Coaching, West Australian Football Commission.

Dealing with“Winning and Losing”in Junior Sport

A prerequisite for sport involvement is to “try and win.” However, all too frequently competition (“trying to win”) is confused with the outcome. Coaches will be faced with the problem of helping the players to deal with “winning and losing”. Some of the problems associated with players coping with losing is that undue pressure is placed upon them to win in the first place. “Don’t forget how hard it is to play”

The motivational, harshly emotive “pep talk” by the coach before competition, where the emphasis is on how important winning is to the club, the coach and parents, can lead to tremendous loss of self esteem if the result does not go their way. In many cases, the motivational talk leads to over arousal resulting in anxiety and subsequent deterioration in performance at the Junior level. Coaches will go a long way towards helping the youth player accept defeat by accepting defeat themselves, thus setting a positive example for all to follow.

Youth players are being successful in competition if they:

• Try to do their best throughout the duration of the game. • Try and carry out the skills of the game relevant to ability. • Show respect to umpires, you the coach and opponents. • Play within the laws and rules of the game. • Maintains discipline towards team rules and club policy. • Continues to play again next year.

In summary, Youth Coaches must remember that:

Winning is not necessarily Success and Losing is not necessarily Failure.

This article was originally published in Footy Fever.

OVERLAPPING DRILL – Full Ground Drill

X OXX X OX

K K

X OXX X OXX X OX X OX G3

K K

X OXX X OX X OXX G2 X OX

K

K

X OXX X OX G1 X OXX X OX

Group1 Kicks (K) the Ball long to HB Half back area Group 2. Two players (G2) contest high ball, the remainder rove ball and work it to next group at HF Flank (G3). G1 have also worked to support G2. Once G2 has kicked ball onto G3, G1 work there way back to where G2 were. Process continues with remaining groups. After a period two (2) defenders are introduced to each group. 1 to contest the mark the other amongst remainder of group.

Purpose -: a) Front and centre work b) Working from contest to contest; hard running c) Player support d) Contested balls e) Blocks; shepherds

FORWARD ENTRY DRILL – Decision Kick

20m

20m PURPOSE: To allow players to make decisions when delivering into forward 50. Forward line leading and set ups. Creating space in the forward line.

DIRECTIONS :

Ball starts in a square space of 20m x 20m. 4 players against 1.

Ball is kept away from the one defender until coach blows whistle and the team of four must break clear and deliver to the three forwards leading into space and completes with a shot on goal if marked. If ball is not marked play is continuous until a goal is scored or the two defenders clear the ball out of the 50m area.

End ZONE

50m

END ZONE

10M 10M

100 meMETERS

PURPOSE: DIRECTIONS: The aim of this game is to maintain Game commences with a ball up at the centre line between possession and score by kicking a legal pass two players of equal height. (15m) to a player in the End Zone your team All players from each team must start every ball up in their is heading. own defensive half and can then move around the ground. Players are only allowed one bounce if running with the ball. This activity should emphasise accurate No forward player is allowed in the END ZONE for longer kicking and accountability. The ability of than 3 seconds. If this occurs free kick to opposition from the players finding space in the End Zone and base line around the ground should be focussed on. No defender can enter his END ZONE at any stage but should not be penalised if not directly interfering with play. Penalty –automatic score Ever time a player marks the ball in the END ZONE from a EXTENSIONS: pass, the team scores one point. Gamer is resumed with a Include Bump Bag players. centre line ball up. Allow defenders to enter END ZONE with Before a score can be registered ALL players from attacking their forward but only for 3 secs. team must be in their offensive half over the centre line. Also reward consec utive kicking possession, No tackling allowed- bumping and shadowing permissible. (e.g. 4 complete passes) as a fraction of the highest score possible from a mark in the END ZONE.

KICKING SKILL CARD

Exercise Focus Repetitions

1. Ball Handling “Ball needs to be in a kicking 5 x 10 seconds each “Push ball from one hand to the position all the time” Partner says stop after about 10 other whilist keeping the ball in a seconds and the ball is kicked straight kicking position” away to your partner over 20m. 2. Ball Handling “It increases your grip span as 5 x 10 seconds each “Figure 8 through the legs” you have to hold the ball with one Partner says stop after about 10 hand” seconds and the ball is kicked straight away to your partner over 20m. 3. Ball Handling “Ball needs to be in a kicking 5 x 10 seconds each “Move the ball around your ankles” position all the time” Partner says stop after about 10 seconds and the ball is kicked straight away to your partner over 20m. 4. Fence Kick “One hand only on the ball and 6 kicks on your preferred then swap “Hold onto the fence whilst balancing one hand on the fence” over to your non preferred. in on your 5. Hang Kick “Keep strong in your plant leg” Start over 20m and once you hit the “Start with your kicking leg bent at 90 target then your partner moves back a degrees then kick through the ball” step. If a player can’t make the distance then the other player wins. 3-4 times. 6. Line Kick “Stay as straight along the line as 5 kicks on your preferred and 3 on the “Have 3-4 steps before kicking to your possible” Partner needs to non preferred. partner over 30m” provide feedback.

7. One Step Kick “Ball drop” 5 kicks on your preferred and 3 on the “Take just 1 step before kicking the non preferred. ball over 25m”

8. Self Kick “Ball Drop” 5 kicks on your preferred and 3 on the “From a stationery position, kick the non preferred. ball to yourself, using the correct technique”

9. Gaelic Kick “Always be on the move whilist 5 kicks on your preferred and 3 on the “On the run kick the ball to yourself, kicking” non preferred. must control the kick to be around head height” 10. Pole Kick “Do a different kick each time, eg. 5 kicks on your preferred and 3 on the “Aim at a single goal post at a certain On the run, snap, one step, hang non preferred. height, eg. 1.9m or head height.” kick, etc” 11. Trajectory Kick “Weight the ball” 5 kicks on your preferred and 3 on the “Kick the ball into a rubbish bin, the non preferred. centre circle, a drink bottle, etc” 12. Triangle Kick “Follow your kick” Use both sides of your body. “Kick the ball over 30m to one of the players in the triangle and then run to the cone and then back to receive the next ball” 13. Goal Kicking “Go through a set routine, you 6 shots on goal from different spots and “Purely for practicing a set shot with a might need to try different distances. routine every time you have a shot on routines to get one that suits you” goal”

The Coach: The Official AFL Level 1 Coaching Manual

Players are often asked “Who is your coach, and what is he/she like?” The Coach sets out standards and guidelines that give clear answers to all involved about how coaches should conduct their teams and themselves. You will gain a greater understanding of tactics and their implementation, injury prevention and how to plan and adapt training sessions specifically to the needs of your squad. Following this easy to read book will help you become a better planner and organiser and ultimately a better coach. This is the standard text provided for the AFL Level 1 Senior coaching course RRP: $13.75 (GST incl.)

AFL Youth Coaching Manual

The AFL Youth Coaching Manual is a must have resource for anyone coach of footballers in the 13 – 17 years age group. The manual provides teaching information for the main skills and tactics of the game and advises coaches on the important social and interpersonal skills that are critical in effective interaction with footballers of this age. Other issues related to youth welfare in football are also presented in this very informative manual. RRP: $27.50 (GST incl.)

AFL Junior Coaching Manual

The AFL Junior Coaching Manual is for coaches, coordinators, participants and parents in the NAB AFL Auskick Program. It is an essential text for all coaches working with primary school aged children in AFL Auskick Centres, Primary schools and junior clubs. It is a resource that people will find invaluable when setting out to coach children in our great game. It provides a sequential model for the development of Australian Football skills and includes lesson cards for the various age groups and skill levels and hundreds of practice activities. It also provides skill games and easy to follow hints on all aspects of children’s participation in the game.RRP: $27.50 (GST incl.)

Drills & Skills – David Wheadon

The most common question we are asked by coaches is “Do you have any drills you can send?” or “What are the latest drills used in the AFL?” While there are many sources of drills and practice activities, in this third edition of Drills & Skills in Australian Football, David Wheadon has presented a comprehensive selection of drills and practices related to the key aspects of the modern game. The book contains 163 specific drills, ranging from very simple to quite complex practices which will challenge the highest level players, categorised in different areas of the game. RRP: $25.00 (GST incl.)

$25 includes postage

Contains the fundamental skills and teaching points of the game

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Airfour air conditioning is open Monday –Friday between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm at Unit 1, 889-891 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully (next to Beaurepaires) on 9758 2177, and you can also use this number to contact our Service Department staff Sue or Kara for all your air conditioning/refrigeration service and preventative maintenance needs.

Each Week at the Club: At Mulgrave Country Club we pride ourselves on providing great entertainment in our fantastic new facilities.

The membership of any club is a club's greatest strength and the Board of Management encourages all users of Mulgrave Country Club to become a member. So contact us and find out what a Mulgrave Country Club membership entitles you to! Thursday nights are FREE ROCK 'N ROLL NIGHTS with great hits from the exciting 50's and 60's and dancing from 8.00 pm onwards. Dance classes are available: 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm and a small charge applies for our professional dance teachers; all are welcome.

Be treated to FREE ENTERTAINMENT MONDAYS, FRIDAYS and most SATURDAYS in the Bistro or Sports Café, so book a table and dance to a band, bookings essential!

We often have THEME NIGHTS with entertainment to celebrate special days such as Cup Eve, Australia Day, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and more.

You can try your luck at FREE NPL POKER every Monday Night: Register at 6.30 pm for a chance to win great prizes.

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PHOTO GALLERY

David Rath – Hawthorn Assistant Coach at AFCA Oakleigh Region seminar.

Super Clinic held at Oakleigh with North .