HELPING A TEAMMATE HOW TO PL AY is an excellent shepherder/ blocker, regularly creating opportunities for his teammates to break free with the ball. Here he puts himself between teammate the perfect and Richmond’s Jordan McMahon as Stevens breaks clear with the ball. Waite makes solid body contact, pushing strongly off his left leg and using his right arm firmly against the opponent to increase the blocking area and to ensure shepherd McMahon cannot get around him. He lets his Carlton’s Jarrad Waite is a leader in the teammate know what is around him. • T e chnical advice in this series courtesy art of shepherding/blocking. He tells of the AFL Development Department. Howard Kotton the importance of clearing the path for a teammate.

he one-percenters such part 15 of as shepherding/blocking a series – have been an important shepherding part of Carlton star TJarrad Waite’s game since he was Shepherding/blocking is one of the game’s major team skills. Players a young player growing up in often have to help teammates who country Victoria. either have the ball or are in the Waite is one of the leading best position to get it. A player can exponents of the shepherd/block in be legally shepherded as long as the AFL and sees it as an important the ball is not more than five metres away. A shepherd is performed skill in the modern game. by using the body and arms as a “It’s pretty useful in that it just barrier to protect a teammate. helps your team out, but I don’t Main teaching points check how many blocks I’ve had 1. Get between your teammate and each week,” the Blue said. the opponent, but not too close. “I believe it’s pretty important 2. Assume a brace position. and I’m sure most of the boys do, 3. Fingers are outstretched and too. If someone does a good block, arms spread below the shoulder – do not hold your opponent. we’ll bring it up in our review.” 4. Talk to your teammate to tell A good shepherd/block is the him he is clear. difference between a perfect pass from skipper or vice- When making the shepherd/ captain Nick Stevens to leading block, Waite tries to ensure he full-forward Brendan Fevola, or does not make illegal contact an errant kick that is too high and with his opponent, particularly allows the defence to make a spoil. around the head. “The AFL has “You do want the ball in the shown that part of the body is hands of the good users of the sacrosanct,” he said. footy and our midfielders are “You have to make sure you generally the good users at the make good body contact when club,” Waite said. you take the player out. It is good His primary objective is to for the team if you see one of your provide a clear pathway for a teammates make a good block.” teammate. “You try to make The Blues practise this skill at sure you get in the way of your most sessions, often when they are immediate opponent and the doing a handball drill. player you’re trying to protect,” “While it’s not mainstream, it’s he said. one of those skills that is vital to “You try to take the opponent your team going well,” he said. “You out of the contest, so your player don’t want to take your teammates can run and get away a little bit out in training, but it gives you that easier than if he’s got a man right practice and hopefully in a game behind him.” you make the block each time.” ■

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