Anton Grbac 2005 DEVELOPING A BASIS FOR TEAM PLAY Steve Teakel Coaching Development Manager AFL Victoria

Understanding Young Players AGE 8 – 10 YearsAge 11 – 12 Years Skill Levels Able to apply game related skills Adapt more to structured activities including modified games Develop a sense of team Refine skills and begin to understand game strategies Modified rules and safety remain important Establish team skills Social Skills Work well in pairs, small groups and teams Respond well to constructive and positive feedback Develop a sense of belonging Emphasis on fun, fairness and inclusion Attracted to social opportunities See sport as a way of developing independence Skills differences between individuals become more obvious Cannot depersonalise criticism May lack patience and practice ethic Family support pivotal

Universal Law of Nature “.... of how a handful of seeds cast to the wind can make a majestic forest. We must sow seeds before we can reap the harvest, and the more seeds we sow that fall on fertile ground, the more we have the opportunity to reap. Often, by giving a little more of our precious time to nurture the planted seed, we can reap rewards we never thought possible” Laurie Lawrence – Australian Swimming Coach

Creating a Learning Environment One teaching style does not fit all! Football curriculum “We know – so we want to tell!” Activities to develop team play The coaching team Give them time to learn “The challenge for the coach is to create the right environment for learning to occur”

One Teaching Style does not fit all! Learning Styles Learning styles are the unique way in which each individual begins to concentrate on, process and retain new and difficult information Visual Learner (65%) Look, watch, show, demonstrate, observe, imagine Auditory Learner (30%) Hear, sound, repeat Kinaesthetic/Tactile (5%) Perform, execute, try, feel, touch, move

One Teaching Style does not fit all! Visual Learner (65%) Seeing Written information Videos Chalkboard Notes Diagrams Auditory Learner ( 30%) Spoken word Listening, hearing Lecture Listening/discussing Team meeting Guest speaker Kinaesthetic (5%) Activities Touching, “feeling” Role play/Simulations Practice/doing Shadowing Structured/Hands on

Football Curriculum Skill Tactical Team Play Conditioning Nutrition Recovery Evaluation Welfare

“We know - so we want to tell!” Is it safe to ask questions? Ask questions to check understanding Ask questions about what happened Ask questions to find out what the player could have done differently Scenario based training

Activities to Develop Team Play Team Play: the ability to anticipate the actions of the other players on the field can be developed using game like situations including:  Modified Games  Small sided Games  Full Sided Games. Modified Games: Work in a defined space Conditioned games Modified scoring and playing rules Make decisions – movement, time, space Example - spare cone

“Game Sense” Spare Cone

“Game Sense” Defend the Cone

Activities to Develop Team Play Small Sided Games: Smaller version of the full game 4 v 4, 6 v 6, 8 v 8 “backs v forwards” Plenty of ball contact Vary positions – specific awareness and skills Full Sided Games: Progress towards this stage – the “real game” Positions – vary Ball movement Pressure – tackle/touch/shadow

“The Coaching Team” Communicate ! Involve them in planning Specific tasks Educate Listen and Open mind “Coaching Jargon”

Give them time to learn For each player list some areas to work on: –Strengths –Technical –Tactical –Attitudinal –Physical  What are we going to do?  Who?  When?

“21 Whispers” “You may be the deliverer of the first whisper…. or you may be the 21 st before a player fully understands”

Developing Team Play Skill Development Playing Guidelines Phases of the Game Positional Play –Back/Midfield/Forward –Corridor –Fat side/thin side Game Plan –Style of Play –Tactics –Set Plays

Skill Development Kicking Handball Marking Picking up ball Bouncing Ball Tap Out Play on Leading Crumbing Changing Direction Running to Tackling Spoiling Smothering Shepherding On the Mark Bumping Chasing Rolling Landing Ruckwork Recovery

Playing Guidelines On Field: Not change from week to week Team football rules: –Play in front –Centre the ball –Guard the mark –Spoil from behind Phase of the Game Where is the Play? Off Field: Club or training rules Notify the coach of availability Arrive on time Respect for facilities Do not throw jumper on the ground

The Phases of the Game We have the Ball!

The Phases of the Game They have the Ball!

The Phases of the Game The Ball is in Dispute!

Where is the Play? BACK MIDFIELD FORWARD Back: Play on your man Starting points Spoil strongly Attacking when we have the ball Midfield: Accountability Stoppage/Ground positioning Be in First/win the ball Share and use the ball Forward: Play in Front Lead – time, strong, often Mark – ball to front Chase and pressure

Where is the Play? The Corridor: Area where most play is focused. It is by nature of strategic advantage whether defending or attacking Danger Zone Scoring Zone

Where is the Play? Thin SideFat Side Thin Side: That side of the ground between the ball and the closer boundary line. Fat Side: That side of the ground between the ball and the farther boundary.

Style of Play Determined by your players strengths and weaknesses –Strong runners –key forwards –small and quick Defines how you wish to play – “Devils Football” Pattern of play should be recognisable and applied to all game situations

Tactics and Set Plays Introduction to game strategy –Forward set ups –Kick ins –Ruck contests Practice Understanding Adaptable to change KISS method

Planning Team Concepts Training: plan activities and drills which continually emphasise your team objectives - set ‘theme’ for session e.g. “play on at all times” Games: highlight team acts in breaks and monitor a team stat during a game “Be Specific - and it’s got to be Measurable” e.g. run pasts

Maximum Player Involvement Rotate positions Fair game policy Better player to help coach Roster system Parents meeting ¼, ½, ¾, after the game – what you say! Safe and supportive environment

“A Jar of Jelly Beans”

“They call it coaching, but it is teaching. You do not just tell them……. you show them the reason” Vince Lombardi – Coach Green Bay Packers - NFL