Other essential traits that a good flanker must display is in disciplining themselves to work hard having a strong defensive  mind set.

General Requirements

• astute judgement, reader of play
• stay out wide, leave the forward line open
• create gaps
• feed off or crumb the ball from packs
• angle his run in to contest the ball
• swing back inboard
• hard work, pressure on defenders
• Tackling and aggression
• keep their opponents guessing
• Versatile player



He is responsible generally for getting the ball, running to a predetermined position decided by he and the ruckman.

He must be fully committed to the role, eyes on the ball, creative, power runner and being a real work horse in the middle.

A Young Luke Hodge

Receiving/Running Onballer

• Able to read play well
• Capable of carrying ball (bouncing)
• Loud demanding voice
• Capable of running angles
• Excellent foot skills
• Depth of kicking
• Need to understand positioning and timing of run
• Need to be able to hit forward targets
• Goal kicker on run
• Clean hands
• Great aerobic capacity
• Speed required
• Defensive Running Skills (Work back hard when we don’t have the ball)
• Disciplined in resting off the ball to ensure can impact entire match not just a quarter

Communication

• Work to a plan, communicate this with your team mates and ruckman
• Look for predictable actions that could be considered a weakness and relay this to your team mates
• Avoid your own predictability
• Look for your team mates to block and shepard, remember to provide these to your team mates

More Information Online

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Followers

He is responsible for assisting the receiver in

getting the ball by shepherding / blocking,

running at opposition players who are placing

pressure on the receiver.

He needs to be of strong character, disciplined,

good reader of theplay and prepared to use his body.

Workman Onballer Winning ball in close Quick good hands Able to keep feet Quick release by foot and hand Strong body, stand up in tackles Likes physical play (Blocks, Tackles and Smothers) Able to keep feet Peripheral vision a must Endurance a must, push to next contest Play maker Capable of pushing forward and kicking goals Able to watch balls flight on tap outs Very good anticipation

Enjoys clearing the ball to team mate

Ruck Strategy

The Centre bounce is one of the most important parts of our game. A team that can consistently win the ball out of the centre will generally win the game.

It allows the forward players to have first use of the ball, creating many scoring opportunities and placing backmen under enormous pressure. It is important to vary the direction of the tap as well as the length of the tap, this puts the opposition constantly under pressure as to where the ball will be tapped.

Ruckman. He is responsible for getting the tap out and directing the ball to a spot worked out by the onball group. Constant communication between this group is vitally important.

Midfielders

Wingman

The role of the wingman first and foremost is the ability to run forward and back helping mid field players once they have run off to attack or defend. This player can be either tall (picking up a tall ) or small (picking up the creative opponent). The expectations of the wingman are as follows.                                                                                                                                              General

-         must have very good running ability

-         must be extremely fit

-         must have stamina and endurance

-         must keep feet and not go to ground if possible

-         must communicate loudly and confidently with team mates around them

-         must kick the ball well to maintain possession.

-       must work forward and back to set play up

a winning Full Forward generally means a

winning formula

Leading Full Forward Strong in the body Excellent marking skills Quick over first 20-30 meters Ability to lead 40-50 meters Accurate kick for goal Contest when opposition have ball Organise forward setup (no crowding) Encourage blocking for free runs Timing of leads Reward running receivers Can be a smaller type player Create opportunities out of nothing, when the ball within ten metres of this player he is expected

to have an impact Contest in air and on ground, second and third efforts an expectation

Prepared to become decoy player

GAME PLAN

FORWARDS    (Requires strong unselfish play)

Teamwork

• Lead up strongly to kicker, then work back, power running to be front and square
• 1^st, 2^nd,3^rd leads
• Push up and man up opposition player that sits off the stoppage
• Create space for team mates that are free, take your opponent away from free space
• Keep out of the corridor with constant movement, use the corridor leading for the ball
• Work to you designated position at stoppages or boundary throw ins
• Work hard and place extreme pressure on opponents, endeavouring to keep ball in 50m arc

Forwards

The role of the Centre Half Back first and foremost is to defend and stop the opposition from scoring.

He must be adaptable in reading the play both from attacking position and defending.

General

-         must have very good spoiling skills

-         must play tight and on the corridor side forcing opponent to boundary

-         must punch ball if caught behind

-         must keep feet and not go to ground if possible

-         must communicate loudly and confidently with team mates around them

-         must kick the ball well to maintain possession. If unsure kick long and wide to the boundary.

-     must be prepared to run forward when the opportunity arises

-     must have strong concentration skills