In each and every contest try and have quality involvement. This will continue to keep you out of your comfort zone and you will feel immediate improvement.

Trying something different or making the slightest change, can enpower one.
Why continue to stay in the comfort zone, reach out seek new horizons. It provides fresh views and highlights new options.
It invigorates, it invigorates your team mates, with the Finals approaching make it a part of your natural football life.

Here is something everyone should know.

But, do you know the story behind the song?

If not, I think you will be interested to find out

about its humble beginnings.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the

moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded

on the field.

Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate

soldier,the Captain decided to risk his life and

bring the stricken man back for medical   attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire,

the Captain reached the stricken soldier and

began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines,

he discovered it was actually a Confederate

soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his

breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim light,

he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.

The boy had been studying music in the South when

the war broke out.  Without telling his father, the

boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission

of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of

Army band members play a funeral dirge for his

son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier

was a Confederate.

The Captain chose a bugler.

He asked the bugler to play a series of musical

notes he had found on a piece of paper in the

pocket of the dead youth’s uniform.

This wish was granted.

The words are:

Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes

From the hills.
From the sky.

All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.

Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.

Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright.
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise.

For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky
As we go.
This we know.

God is nigh.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Also remember are those who have served

and returned;

and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

Please send this on after a short prayer.

Make this a Prayer Wheel for our soldiers ……

Go to http://www.footytips.com.au/comps/www-swoopercoach-com-au, click on the title Swoopercoach Tippers.

Then register
To all the coaches on my site all the very best for the coming season and happy and successful tipping.
John “Swooper” Northey

Effective communication is a key ingredient for effective umpiring.

While it is imperative that the Umpire controls the match – players, officials and spectators expect this – it is also essential that he or she does so in a manner, which encourages mutual respect and understanding between players and umpires.

This contributes to creating a positive environment which is an essential part of umpiring.

The ability to handle players and situations is important to the conduct of the match. Umpires who are skilled in this area will be better equipped to umpire their matches and therefore find umpiring much more enjoyable.

In controlling the match, the umpire is called upon to make certain decisions and these must be carried out. It is important, therefore, that umpires be firm and assertive in their approach. Umpires have developed strategies and techniques in the art of effective communication that have stood the test of time and proven to be beneficial to umpires, players and the conduct of the match.

Included among those strategies and techniques are the following:

1. KEEP CALM

Umpires must remain calm in all circumstances. The ability to remain “cool under fire” communicates to others a sense of control, composure, maturity and skill in handling turbulent situations.

By remaining calm, the Field Umpire can think clearly thereby avoiding any tendency to “rush things” and become flustered.

Thinking clearly allows the umpire to prioritise the options and to choose the most appropriate course of action.

2. TREAT PLAYERS WITH RESPECT

Umpires have to earn respect. Respect is earned by what Umpires “say and do” and how they “say and do it”.

Umpires should treat players in a manner that they themselves would like to be treated, as equals – preferably on a first name (nick-name if appropriate) basis.

Umpires should not speak down to players or patronise them.  All players know and understand that the umpire makes the final decision so there is no need for the umpire to continually reinforce this fact by making comments such as “I’m the umpire, what I say goes”.

3. USE POSITIVE AND APPROPRIATE BODY LANGUAGE

Good umpires exhibit self confidence. This can be achieved by using appropriate and positive body language, smiling or nodding at appropriate times.

When speaking to players, don’t intrude into their personal space, stand further than an arm’s length away, don’t point your finger or thrust out your chest.

Wherever possible, if you are listening to a player or talking to him, maintain eye-to-eye contact.

Correct and positive indications for decisions that the umpire makes are other non-verbal actions that demonstrate self confidence.

4. LISTEN ATTENTIVELY

Communication is a two way process, talking and listening.

Listening attentively means participating actively in the communication process by acknowledging and responding (where appropriate and possible) to the speaker’s words and feelings.

Not all comments directed to umpires during a match could be classified as a complaint. A question or comment made in a rational and mature manner needs a rational and mature response.

5. COMMUNICATING DECISIONS

Competent umpires communicate their decisions effectively and strongly.

Positive communication of a decision reflects self confidence and demonstrates a security in the knowledge that the decision was correct.

Players appreciate umpires who communicate their decisions effectively. They have a lot more confidence in umpires when they know and understand what they are doing.

6. DO NOT EMBARRASS PLAYERS

Good umpires do not embarrass or belittle players. Most competent umpires avoid being the centre of attention and work hard at not embarrassing the players.

7. PENALISE ACTIONS, NOT CHARACTERS

At times, the umpire may have to caution a player to cease certain actions to avoid being reported. When communicating this, the umpire should be mindful to focus comments on the offending behaviour or actions, not on the person’s character or personality. This is particularly important when the player is angry or frustrated.

8. SELECTIVELY IGNORE COMMENTS

Some issues are better left alone, not every remark requires a response, especially if the remark was viewed as a natural expression of frustration.

On occasions, it may be better to ignore the remark at that time but take the opportunity to follow up at a later stage if necessary, when the player may be more responsive.

9. AVOID SARCASM

Sarcasm is a barrier to effective communication. The purpose of sarcasm is to hurt the feelings or reduce the self esteem of others; it is unprofessional and has no place in umpiring.

10. DO NOT TRY TO HAVE THE LAST WORD

In many instances the umpire will not change the player’s mind then and there. It is good practice for umpires to answer a question. Your answer should be brief and direct yet provided in a calm and respectful manner.

By courtesy AFL website

There are several areas of fitness required by an umpire that form the basis of the umpire’s fitness training:

CARDIO-RESPIRATORY ENDURANCE

Working muscles need oxygen and nutrients to operate efficiently. Cardiorespiratory endurance is the ability to supply these essential ingredients through the heart, lungs, and circulatory system.

It is possible to increase your cardiorespiratory endurance by including ‘aerobic’ activities in your exercise program. They are called ‘aerobic’ because they require an on-going supply of oxygen at a much faster rate than under resting conditions.

Our sports require a good aerobic base whether they involve running, swimming, or rowing. While many of the activities may be of short duration or repeated bursts, aerobic fitness or efficient heart, lungs and circulatory system will assist greatly in the ability to recover more quickly.

MUSCULAR STRENGTH

When a muscle or muscle group can produce its maximum force or highest tension level against a resistance, it is said to have strength. Strength is a basic requirement for almost all sports and is important in many daily activities. Without strength your muscles would find it impossible to endure.

AEROBIC ENDURANCE

Aerobic Endurance refers to the ability of the muscles to resist fatigue when repeating a sub-maximal effort over a period of time where oxygen intake and consumption are equal. Eg jogging or walking.

ANAEROBIC POWER/ENDURANCE

Anaerobic fitness is the ability to resist fatigue when repeating near maximum effort over a given time when oxygen consumption is greater than intake. Eg running or sprinting.

Speed, agility, and quickness are important components in tennis, athletics, hockey, various football codes, basketball, badminton, squash, volleyball and table tennis.

(Many of the above listed sports are played over an extended period of time and although all include short bursts of energy, they do require cardiorespiratory endurance capabilities to assist in coping with oxygen debt).

Anaerobic power requires the muscles to provide instant or short-term energy when the uptake of oxygen is not always readily available. Extreme examples would include events such as shot-put, long-jump, and sprints, as they rely on the stored glycogen in the muscles.

FLEXIBILITY

Flexibility refers to the range of motion around the joints or series of joints. The development of flexibility assists in the prevention of muscular tears and strains.

In order for a joint to move fluidly through its complete range of movement, in needs to be flexible. Lack of flexibility is triggered by differing factors such as the bone structure of a joint and the size and strength of the muscles, as well as ligaments and other connective tissues.

The ability of muscles to stretch to their optimum length is dependent on these factors. By including stretching exercises in your daily routine, you can greatly improve your flexibility. Stretching warms up the muscles by increasing the blood flow. By doing this you allow muscles and tendons to become more flexible, which in turn will decrease stiffness and reduce the chance of strains and sprains.

MUSCULAR ENDURANCE

When a muscle has the ability to maintain sub-maximum force levels while contracting a muscle or muscle group repeatedly for extended periods it is said to have endurance, e.g. rowing.

AGILITY

Agility is the ability to change direction quickly while travelling at speed. This is an important element to an umpire’s running and positioning skills.

Article supplied by courtesy AFL website.

To be great, you will have to develop your inner spirit, love of truth, uprightness and strength never to quit.

Spirit involves courage and the ability to absorb and therefore ignore the mental and physical pains associated with total effort.

It allows, when the occasion arises, to pullout; all stops in a “rather die than be beaten” approach. I have seen it in Elliott and Halbery, both half-way to death’ after a specially gruelling race.
In this regard, Elliott and Halbery, who had far more guts than inborn strength and ability, excel the others.

Learn to live with what daunts and terrifies the little ones’, those who are not blessed as you are, have no inherited gifts and vision and who cannot, perhaps never want, to see the way to greatness.

Your job is to make the most of the material that is yours in the journey to the top to serve humanity, your nation, your race and your- self while there is yet time !

Those who do not feel deeply will never succeed greatly.

Feeling deeply means we feel we could “kill” ourselves when we do not measure up to our potential, or when we are beaten, knowing we should have won.

The road was easy when we look back.

The pains forgotten after the wounds have healed. The victory won is worth it, the friendship achieved would have never been bought.

Go in faith in yourself to achieve someday, somehow, somewhere, something worthwhile. You can.

PW Cerruty

We as coaches, spend so much time looking for the perfect training drill and developing our players potential, that safety is not always foremost in our minds.

It is amazing how often players injure themselves at training and it is just considered bad luck. I wonder how much bad luck as opposed to bad planning and execution of training drills? We have all been guilty at some time trying to increase the intensity of a training session by including an extra football into a drill. We have all seen drills that challenge players to change direction and avoid on coming traffic, or reposition to present again for the football (second effort).

Remember as coaches, we have an absolute responsibility to ensure that training is a safe environment for all players. Take a walk around your venue to ensure that there are no pot holes or sprinkler covers missing. Make sure that other teams training on the oval at the same time do not run their drills into your part of training.

Double check all your drills to guarantee that you are not potentially placing your players at risk. Do not complicate your drills without thought to the risk of potential injuries and always think about the safety aspect of things like, allowing your players to wear a hat in warmer weather and have plenty of drink break during a session.

Understand the negative aspect to our sport via parents, teachers and players when a person is injured in a training session. Think about the possible repercussions to the sport if players are lost to other codes as a result of being injured.

Continually remind yourself that there are enough potential dangers with poor lighting, not having any sufficient training staff and having to do everything for your players from pumping up the balls, organizing the drinks, through to ensuring your players are stretching up before training and down at the completion.

Think safety and you will need very little luck keeping your players fit for game day.

The Tarahlra Indians of Mexico have long fascinated heart specialists and psychiatrists by their remarkable physical and mental achievements .

Conditioned from childhood, male and females of the tribe can run continuously for more than 100 miles at a speed of six or seven miles an hour.

Equally amazing is their psychological and cuItural adjustment. In the past 25 years, there have been no suicides and only one homicide among the 50,000 tribesmen.

The Tarahlra Indians of Mexico have long fascinated heart specialists and psychiatrists by their remarkable physical and mental achievements .

Conditioned from childhood, male and females of the tribe can run continuously for more than 100 miles at a speed of six or seven miles an hour. Equally amazing is their psychological and cuItural adjustment. In the past 25 years, there have been no suicides and only one homicide among the 50,000 tribesmen.

“These marathon demonstrations of really phenomenal endurance are convincing evidence that most of us – brought up in our comfortable and sedentary civilizations – actually develop and use only a fraction of our potential cardiac reserve “,Dr Dale Groom told the American College of Physicians.

Dr Groom said none of the Indians could remember an instance when a runner dropped out of a race because of chest pains or shortness of breath.

The tribe subsists on a poor diet of corn, squash, beans, wild plants and occasional fish or game. Semi-agrarian and semi-nomadic, the Indians rarely suffer any major mental illnesses or serious character disorders. The tribesmen are characterized by Quiet dignity, respect for others, good humour among themselves, and helpfulness toward strangers.

Most remarkable is that the inter-personal or inter-group violence is virtually unknown in spite of a highly structured family life and fierce local loyal ties .

J.A.M.A. June 2, 1969, p.1616.

Supplied by Dr Laurie Prosser

FREE KICK UMP?!

Whatta ya mean you didn’t see it?

Umpiring Australian Football is a challenging and exciting sporting activity which can, and does, provide a great deal of self satisfaction and enjoyment.
Introduction
Umpiring Australian Football is a challenging and exciting sporting activity which can, and does, provide a great deal of self satisfaction and enjoyment.

Good umpiring enhances the game as a spectacle and contributes to the enjoyment of players, officials and spectators. Poor umpiring detracts from the game and invariably results in dissatisfaction and frustration for players, officials and spectators. It is in the best interests of the game and the participants for us all to promote and enhance the image of umpiring as an attractive sporting career. In this way, it will be possible to attract good people to umpiring and encourage them to stay.

The coach has an important role in this regard. He is the most influential role model for the players. His behaviour toward umpires will be reflected in his players’ behaviour.

You and the Umpires
Complete the following assessment which will provide a guide as to your behaviour towards umpires.

Your answers to these questions will give you an indication of how you behave toward umpires. As a coach you are an influential Role Model and your players will more often than not emulate your behaviour.

1. Knowledge of the Laws

Do you read the ‘law book’?

Do you encourage your players to read the ‘law book’?

Are you familiar with the ‘spirit of the laws’?

Do you discuss the ‘spirit of the laws’ with your players?

Do you invite umpires to training to assist in developing a better understanding of the laws?

Do you raise your concerns with the Umpires’ Adviser?

Do you actively teach and encourage players to play within the laws?

2. At the Match

Are umpires made welcome by your club?

Do you seek input as to how your club looks after umpires?

Does your club appoint someone to look after umpires?

Does your club provide escorts for the umpires leaving the ground at half-time and after the match?

Do you welcome the umpires when they visit your rooms before the match?

3. During the Match

Do you shout at the umpires?

Do you shout comments about decisions in earshot of your players or the umpires?

Do you refer to the umpires when you address your players?

Do you refer to the umpires so as they can hear during your address to the players?

Do you permit your players to dispute decisions or back chat umpires?

4. After the Match

Does your club look after the umpires after the match?

Do you discuss the match with the umpires?

Do you tend to ignore the umpires after the match?

Do you encourage your players to talk to the umpires socially?

Spirit of the Laws
Umpires are encouraged to interpret and apply the laws in accordance with the Spirit of the Laws which, in fact, determine the manner in which the game should be played.

Within the Law
The successful coaches of the future will be those who educate players to develop their individual and team skills in accordance with the laws.

The coach is the role model for his team members on match day. He sets the example through his words and actions. It is important that coaches and umpires develop a responsible and professional approach for the benefit of the game.

Supplied by

Brian Clarke

General Manager

Aussie Rules International

As a sporting coach there may be the occasions arise where you are required to give a talk, speak publicly or even just communicate collectively with the parents of the players you may be coaching. For many people this can be a very daunting request, as even the most seasoned coaches who believe their communication skills are good get very nervous about having to speak in public to an audience they have never met. Whenever the situation calls for you as the coach to represent your club at a speaking engagement always prepare yourself to ensure that you understand what you are in for. Whether it be a classroom full of children, a local charity group, or a community fundraiser, treat them all with equal importance, as you are a role model who people will expect a lot from.

Preparation

Be prepared to ask questions prior to the event like how many people are you expecting? What is the age group of the audience? What topics would you like me to cover? How long do you want me to talk to the audience for? What time am I required on stage or the microphone? Will there be questions and answers at the end of my speech? Do you want the talk to deliver any specific messages to the audience? Is the talk to be light-hearted or serious? These are some of the questions that you should ask of the person who has invited you to speak. By getting the answers to these questions you then can prepare a positive speech, knowing roughly the audience profile and what the expectations may be. Always do your homework prior to having to present yourself in public. I remember the first time that I was required to speak in public to approximately 60 level 1 sports coaches seeking accreditation. I prepared myself by reading my notes for two days prior to the course and then spending the hour before the audience arrived, practising my delivery to a room full of empty chairs. Luckily the course went well and I gained a lot of confidence from the experience.

Tips

Have confidence in the fact that you have prepared well. If you get nervous as we all do, try to relax and concentrate on other things rather than on the fact that you have to speak publicly. When talking, if you need, read notes that you have prepared or use key words or titles as prompts to help keep your speech on the right track. Try not to focus directly on individuals in the audience; try looking just above the sea of heads to ensure that you don’t get distracted by an individual. If you feel anxious, speak slowly, do the talk on your terms. If you make a mistake, are distracted or lose your train of thought, don’t panic. A good way to break the ice when talking to an audience is to start with a light-hearted joke. This will help the audience relax and that will give you confidence to continue knowing you have their attention. Speak clearly and be confident that you have done the preparation, and then it is just a matter of following the notes or prompts until the speech is finished. If you are not sure how much time you have left, nominate a person to sit in a position at the back of the room who can give you a signal accordingly. Enjoy the experience and remember that the more you do this type of thing in your local community, the better at it you will become.
Good luck.