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Simple, Difficult or Plain Perception?

I agree that there are so many styles of play in football. There are a lot of ideas on game plans; flooding, pressing and even zoning. What are our structures? How do we practice these? Do we have buy in? What is a KPI?

More importantly, what effect do these have on the outcome of a game? Have we got the right rotations? Rotating enough or not enough? Midfielders, are they working hard enough?

Quarterback release.

Our thoughts and terminology have come a long way.

My mind spins with just how far this has come in the past 15 years and some are reluctant for the change in play. More one on ones with a direct style like the good old days perhaps is better welcomed. It makes for a great spectacle for sure, but we are seeing different trends.

I think the coaching of yesteryear battles in this modern age of football. Kids are more introverted and perhaps appear a bit anti-social at times. I think you need to be able to relate to your players, find out what you’ve got and work with it.

This new age of technology is giving us a closer look at the game as everything can be closely measured. Eyes are on you constantly feeding back your every move, even at metro or suburban level. We see the same habits naturally filtering through. Pressure is everywhere, in all facets of life.

It can be at work, sport and especially socially and around peers. Every individual has different tolerances to pressure.

Is our game simple or is it becoming more difficult? Or perhaps the real question is perception?

In my first game of seniors I remember a guy who I had great admiration for, a true leader and a man that had achieved nearly everything in local footy said to the group on field, “Boys, keep this simple. What are you doing when we have it, when they have it and when the ball is in dispute? Take risks and be hungry to compete.”

That was the message back then.

Simple.

With that playing group at the time it was enough.

I remember my first year of senior football back in 2001, coming off an under 18 Premiership it set the tone for the pre-season ahead. Realising that I’d just become one of 55 players, it was time to step up and be counted, to work harder than others and to get a step ahead.

I was excited to impress. So I tried my best to keep up fitness in the midst of celebrating our win.

Our senior coach at the time welcomed us all to our first night. Our firsts, seconds and thirds all won the Premiership Cup that year so reigniting the flame again was a must, a true test of the character for the group to set new goals, welcome new recruits and set out again to achieve excellence.

It was daunting at first and I remember the feeling like I didn’t belong.

I wanted it all right now, the typical mindset of teenagers from this era and don’t we have some fun with this topic.

I would try to be the first there to jam in some extra kicks and handballs before the main session had begun. I think it helped looking back on it now. There were great conversations had and plenty of laughs – some gems before we got started. It was a great opportunity to get to know the older crew.

I played the first couple games in the reserves. I’d been hearing around the traps that most young guys would have to do their “apprenticeship” and play a couple of games here and there before they got their start. I didn’t like that phrase at the time however I now understand that we all develop in different stages. It was time for my first game. I’d be given the call up and you couldn’t get the smile off my face. I went into the team meeting and the beginning of it was a blur.

I heard my name, so I tuned in, “Parks. Playing you off a half back flank. Want you to shut down one of their power forwards.”

What??

That forward was their coach. I had heard of this bloke, he was a very influential player in their forward line. Very crafty and had played hundreds of games already, he was known for being hard and dirty at times. Welcome to the big league. There were no ‘L’ plates on my back now.

At the end of the meeting I was walking out of the rooms. Teammates were shaking my hand. “Well done young fella.” I finally felt that hard work was paying off and a sense of belonging was approaching perhaps. What was about to happen next would change my outlook on how I would conduct myself on the football field for the next decade.

My coach called me over. He said, “Parks you’ve earnt your spot. We believe that you can handle responsibility. Yes we’ve given you a tough assignment, but you have to begin somewhere. Go out and be yourself. Play with no fear. We want you to help conduct our defence and remember, if you can’t TALK out there, you are no good to us.”

I would never forget that chat.

How often at training do you hear “lift the talk boys”?

Or a teammate got run down from behind because there was no TALK?

Naturally when a team is struggling there is no TALK.

If you do not talk how do you communicate on a football field?

It’s one of the greatest tests whilst fatigued is to TALK. I challenge you to this.

This is entering our game more and more. Players who battle to speak? Who maybe expect from one another that a lot should just happen?

Communication in everything is the key. We all need to be leaders out there on the football field. Don’t just leave it to a few. Our minds will wander throughout the course of the game. Talk and reminders help steer wandering minds. Above all, encourage. At times it is so easy to be negative but have you tried being positive? You might be surprised.

Our game is evolving and I agree we must learn to move with it.

Find the right balance within your playing group to just how far you push certain things. You may need to tweak your methods a touch to go forward but do not over complicate it. Continue to teach and to act under pressure.

Most of all never forget the game we all began knowing nothing about.

It’s all been learnt.

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