The role of the full back first and foremost is to defend and stop the opposition from scoring. The full back generally plays on the oppositions best forward out of the goal square.

The full back may be required to kick out from opposition points scored and therefore must be an accurate and consistent kick. The expectations of the full back  player are as follows.

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 towards the boundary.

Playing positions for AFL football

BACKMEN

GAME PLAN

• Disciplined, body against opponent
• Beat your opponent / punch from behind
• Be ready to run off and create
• Look to switch play / run and carry
• Numbers at fall of ball, follow opponent, endeavour to read play to create
• COMMUNICATE to backs and midfield players, you become their eyes
• Call your team mate into punch or mark, give him confidence with your voice
• Man up or create, don’t become a spectator

Back Pocket

The role of the back pocket first and foremost is to defend and stop the opposition from scoring. The back pocket player can be either tall (picking up a resting ruckman or tall forward) or small (picking up the resting rover or creative forward). The expectations of the back pocket player are as follows.

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.

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

Possibly this is the most important learning time in their sporting life. Equally important is the Coach who is laying the early foundations (correct techniques, skills and disciplines).

Children play sport for a variety of reasons:

• to enjoy it.
• to Improve skills
• participating in fun activities
• Creating relationships
• Being with friends
• Able to do something well
• Achieving challenging tasks
• Being well organised
• Given positive feedback
• Being part of a friendly and caring group
• Feeling safe, secure and being treated with respect

As we have had many requests for this segment, we will provide you regular features on the basics of football to help both the Coach (Mums/Dads Teachers whoever) and the players.

If you have any requests for specific items please insert in the text box below this article.

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.

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chart-achieving-your-goals

The ruckman should win the hit out in the backline. This is because the opposition ruckman usually has formed a wall with the centreman and an on-baller a kick behind the play.

The ruckman would be contesting the hit out against a CHF, FF or FP. This frees up their respective opponents and makes them a viable option to direct the tap to, protect the receiver or provide an outlet for the receiver.

The hit out directed into this area gives the receiver a number of options. For starters, the receiver is facing the direction that he is going so he will not have to do a U-turn to dispose of the ball. The receiver, if he is well protected and has space, may play on and switch the play to the opposite back pocket and the team would run the ball out of the backline and therefore bypass the wall set up by the opposition players. He may use the spare backman to give a quick handball or short kick to.

He may just move the ball along the boundary with a grubber kick and force another boundary throw in. If the opposition sharks the hit out then it is a difficult position for them to kick a goal from. It is always advisable to have someone at the back of the contest to make sure that the opposition do not get an uncontested kick in the scoring corridor. This person could be the spare backman.

Design a game drill for your players, teaching them the ingredients of this situation.

Ruck Strategy (Five (5) Drills Included.

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.

Sweeper. (Centreman)

He is responsible for roving the opposition ruckmans work and putting extreme pressure on the opposition rover if he receives the ball from the tap. The sweeper must constantly “Tread water” as not to commit his actions too early. This player can also be very creative if we win the knock out by supporting the receiver and running off to receive the ball.

Receiver. (Rover)

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.

The Protector. (Ruck Rover)

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 the play and prepared to use his body.

General.

Be prepared to change the roles of the centre group, this continually keeps the opposition guessing. Opposition are then unable to make plans to stop your dominance in the centre square.
If one of the players in the centre square is being tagged then swap this player to the sweeper role or the protector role.
This negates the opposition tagger and places him in a position not able to support his team mates and gives our receiver a better chance of winning the ball.
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