Ask John
November 19, 2009 by John Northey
Do you have a question for John Northey? John will answer your question online or pivately if you wish.
You can also read other questions that John has been asked in the past.
If you would like to ask John Northey a question please just fill in the section below, John will respond to your questions as quickly as possible.
Suggested Topics
- Gameday stratedgy
- Club Politics
- Johns AFL Playing & Coaching Career
- Current AFL issues
- Help with your club
- Funny memories & stories
Hi John,
Do you have any drill or tactics on flooding? Also my team is struggling up forward. I’m trying to play an open forward line but it keeps breaking down.
Any ideas?
hi john
how can i download or get a copy of the videos on correct running technique
as i could use them to help a lot of my kids
djajz.smith@yahoo.com.au
regards
david
Hi David,
You can get an offline copy of the Running Drills with our Training Manual + CD Rom which is available here > http://www.swoopercoach.com.au/shop/special-offer/
We will make further offline materials available soon, if you have any suggestions let us know.
Thanks
Hi John
What stats on match day do you focus on to help with your own coaching at Ballarat ?
Thanks
I have 31 lads in my U15 SANFL affiliated team made up of 13 and 14 year olds, have worked on a player rotation system throughout the year, with the last year players getting more game time(approx 10-14 games out of 16), than those with a year or 2 to go, (all players with 1 or 2 years to go, got approx 7-10 games out of 16), and as we go into the finals, I can only play with the standard 21 players. I have been saying through the season that I can only pick 21 and 31 doesn’t go into 21 at all. I have made mension that all players are valuable members not only of the team but the club, knowing that there are 14 players that are able to play in the U15′s next season.
I assume there is no easy way of letting those lads down that don’t make the finals team. Would like your comments if possible.
ps have enjoyed using your training drill examples, keep up the good work.
John,
I want to congratulate you, your coaching staff and the players who showed the courage to “Live Their Dream” and win one of the most amazing BFL Grand Finals of all time.
The tackling of your players was as good as I have seen from any team; it created intense pressure on Darley, (who were very good) and from that pressure your boys showed the class to create opportunities for themselves and most importantly, they finished off their good work better than their opponent!
There was a group of us “old Ballarat players” behind the goal at the Peel st. end, and when Ash kicked that goal after the siren, you would have thought each one of us had kicked it.
It is a great achievement by you and your boys, and every Ballarat Football Club follower appreciates what you have done for our club.
I hope you don’t mind, but I am going to use your theme “Live Your Dream”. I think it empowered your players, and allowed them to be free and to embrace that dream of winning a Grand Final.
You made some old Ballarat footballers very very happy on Sunday!
Brilliantly done John!
John Maher
Two areas of advice I would like to seek from you.
1 Any ideas on bonding a side to make them closer as a group you may have used
2 any ideas for cross training or different training drills or places that you could suggest when the weather turns cold.
john – i have recently taken over a senior side from being selected originally a reserves coach. I was wondering if you can email me a preseason program that doesnt include weights as we dont have any – silkmite@iinet.net.au
if anyone else has a program they want to share – it would be much appreciated
Hey Jerry, check out the latest addition to the fitness section for a simple and easy to do fitness program that doesnt require any weights!
g’day John
I would like to know your thoughts on midfield rotations… at the top level we are seeing increasing numbers of interchanges, particularly over the last 2-3 years, is there a specific time frame they are basing these changes on? eg 7 minute bursts etc? i have seen a study that says the intensity/speed and distance players have covered has increased yet the time on the ground has decreased. Can you give me an example of a rotation you have used?
hi john
i currently coach un 14′s some of my boys struggle to kick at a distance how can i improve they kicking distance.
thanks
Hi Mark,
As always its all about practice. To directly improve the distance of your players kicking, it might be a good time to raise their awareness of ball drop and the time they make connection with the ball when they kick. This obviously has alot to do with the distance of the kicking as you can increase the elevation of the ball. Have your players work on drills found here, http://www.swoopercoach.com.au/category/training-drills/half-oval/, alternating thier kicking style and the time it takes to kick the bal from thier ball drop.
Hope this helps
hey john,
the articles about the different positions are great, i need to teach guys the basics of a position and these fit perfectly. I was just wondering if you have one about the forward flank position too? i know you have put the forward pockets in with the full forward position, but i would appreciate one for the flanks. Thanks.
hi john,
what is the criteria for drafting a player into an afl side ( what are the main things they look for)
thankyou,
Hi John,
Here are a few questions for my uni assignment interview
1. What were the main differences between the drafting process when you played for Richmond compared to the drafting processes in your coaching career?
In my early days it was open to all the country whoever made the best approaches (what club) won the recruit. The recruiting was based on personality and honesty.
Do you believe the drafting process has changed greatly since your career ended in 1998?
There have been many changes over the years, zoning came in, then territories were changed meaning a lot of clubs missed out on great recruits. Clubs of course were not happy and the drafting procedure took place.
2. What was the main thing that you looked for when selecting potential recruits for your club? Was it solely the best player, best player suited for the team etc. Did character come into it at all?
It was generally the needs of the team, personality of the player and making sure the family of the boy were happy for him to be drafted to our club. Many clubs selected the best player however this has turned out to be disastrous on many occasions
3. Did you personally interview potential recruits or was that left to the footy manager or recruiting manager?
I always felt it very important to meet with the player and his parents. To me recruiting is a two way situation, we need to know about their son and they need to know about our club and in particular who the people are that were being entrusted to look after their son.
4. How much input did you get into what player the club selected?
During the season when a potential recruit was spotted I always endeavoured to watch the potential recruits.
5. What do you think about the psych/mental testing currently used at the draft camp? Do you find it to be a relevant exercise?
This is very important it really gives you an indepth about the recruit, his behaviour, personality and likely work ethic.
He may not be the best player have the silky skills of others however may still be the best recruit because of other attributes.
Thanks a lot for helping me out with this, massively helpful.
Hi, I was just wondering if you could give me an idea on what an aerobic training program for a ruckman would be like? and also the main energy systems used?
thanks.
This would be after training or during.
Ruckman first need a strong aerobic base then I would give them this program.(On Tuesday training)
3 x 75metre strong running (over 3/4 pace) 1 minute break
3 x 50metre strong running (over 3/4 pace) 45 Sec break
3 x 30metre strong running (Quicker) 30 Sec break
Stretch, a slow lap and in.
If you are giving group or individual training keep the players times so that over a period of three weeks they can see the improvement.
Most ruckman don’t sprint (they run quick) and it’s generally to get to the contest.
Hope this helps. Let me know you results.
Energy systems are better described by a health clinic than me.
Regards
John “Swooper’Northey