Introduction
Australian Football is often described as one of the most skilful games in the world.
With approximately 400,000 registered players in Australia and continued growth internationally, the game continues to grow and attract spectator support. Spectacular high marks, long kicking, running and tackling are all features of the game.
How does a young player advance from the uncertain beginner stage to the highly skilled efficient movement of the elite footballer?
Like all training, the process of learning skills is a long term process. Skilled movements such as kicking, marking and handball only come about through correct teaching and practice.
The coach who understands the factors that affect learning is in a position to teach skills to all age groups.
Developing Skills
Young players pass through various stages from first learning a skill to mastering it. The length of time this takes will depend on the individual player and the quality of coaching.
Factors to be considered include:
Phases of Skill Learning
In general, footballers pass through three stages of skill learning.
1. Early Stage
Where large numbers of errors occur as the player attempts to perform the skill. The learner at this stage relies heavily on demonstrations and verbal instruction from the coach.
2. Intermediate Stage
Where the footballer has achieved a basic level of competence and can start to perform the skill at a faster rate and practise it in an appropriately structured competitive situation.
3. Advanced Stage
Where the skill becomes automatic with the player performing the skill under pressure. The player can then work on advanced skills and team plays.
Individual Skills
Skill can be categorised as an individual skill or team skill.
Once the player has learnt the basic individual skills they should be further developed into game-like situations at training. The player is then required to make decisions about what to do with the ball, when to do it and how to execute the skill under pressure.
However it is vital that the basic skills of the game are taught correctly. The effective coach must break the skill down into simple manageable segments before progressing to more advanced skills.
The Skills of Australian Football
Individual skills in Australian Foootball can be classified under 3 general headings:
| Disposal Skills | Possession Skills | Checking Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Kicking | Marking | Tackling |
| Handball | Bouncing | Bumping |
| Picking Up | Shepherding | |
| Evasion | Smothering | |
| - Baulk | Spoiling | |
| - Side Step | ||
| - Spin |
Teaching Football Skills
A great deal of training and coaching is based on the misguided notion that practice makes perfect. This is not necessarily true. Practice makes permanent and this applies equally to both good and bad practice.
In preparing a training program an effective coach should be able to:
S for SHOW Name the skill (or Demonstrate) Demonstrate the whole skill Give your teaching points (no more than 3 points) Ask if there are any questions
P for PRACTISE Demonstrate the skill once again Send the players out to practise immediately
I for INSTRUCT Use only small groups (or Correct Errors) Stand back and observe each performer Offer Advice Keep repeating the key points about the skill
R for REWARD Praise players for good efforts
1. How to introduce a skill
To become a better and more efficient coach some of your traing session must be devoted to skill teaching. A simple formula for a coach to follow when teaching a new skill is the S.P.I.R. method.
After some practice the coach will find this procedure becomes second nature. It is efficient and follows the major principles of learning.
Obviously with senior players the amount of information you give is greater than with junior players.
2. Know the key points to emphasise
To create an effective learning situation the coach must take into account the following points:
3. Recognising skill errors
The most important part of skill teaching is to determine whether correction is necessary. The preferred procedure in identifying skill error is as follows:
Repetition is the key to learning.
4. Rectifying skill faults
There are broad teachniques which coaches should use to remedy problems in the performance of a skill:
Fixing Errors
Skill errors do occur. Many footballers are taught skills incorrectly and subsequently perform them poorly under match conditions. Individualised coaching can rectify many of these problems. Some common skill errors and suggested remedies follow. In all instances it is preferable to break the skill down into its simplest form to ensure the skill can be performed at the basic level.
Kicking - Ball Guidance
Problem: Using two hands to slam the ball onto the kicking foot.
Remedy:
Using the one-handed technique - the ball is held in the palm and fingers of one hand underneath its bottom end. Other hand is placed behind back.
Problem:
Using both hands to guide the ball onto the kicking foot.
Remedy:
1. Walk 2-3 steps, drop ball onto a mark on the ground.
2. Repeat, bringing kicking foot through.
3. Repeat with one finger of opposite hand on the side of the ball.
4. With one hand behind the back, use the one hand drop.
5. Hold the ball with two hands, walk through the kick, guide the ball down with one hand.
Kicking - Goal Kicking
Problem: Inconsistency.
Remedy:
1. Focus on a target behind the goals.
2. Begin a short distance from the goals (about 5 metres) and increase as the kick improves.
3. At all times, player's optimum power should be used. (Optimum power is the power at which player kicks comfortably).
Marking - Overhead Marking
Problem: Incorrect positioning of fingers and thumbs.
Remedy:
1. Mime mark (stress fingers spread and correct position of thumbs behind the ball).
2. Player grabs ball from coach's hand held above player's head.
3. Throw ball from hand to hand.
4. Throw in air and catch; bounce off a wall.
5. Increase frequency of catches and introduce opposition.
6. Run, jump and mark. Adjust your hands as the ball approaches.
Handball
Problem: Repetition - Repeated handball can cause pain to the hands.
Remedy:
Both hands can be used to minimise the pain of hitting the ball. Use the platform hand to help propel the ball. Develop movement with the platform hand before the ball is hit.
Problem: Throwing the ball in the air / Dropping platform hand before hitting the ball
Remedy:
1. Stabilise platform hand on table, fence or partner's back.
2. 'Fist into Hand'. Player grabs punching fist with platform hand after punching the ball.
Bouncing - Ball Guidance
Problem: Ball not returning.
Remedy:
1. Show player what part of the ball must hit the ground.
2. Player holds hands over top end of the ball and bounces.
3. Bounce in stationary position - begin down on one knee to minimise distance. Progress to walking.
4. Introduce time trials and opposition.
Tackling
Problem: Bad tackling can give away free kicks.
Remedy:
1. Begin with the opponent stationary and the tackler walking in.
2. Have the tackler jogging in.
3. Extend this further to both the tackler and the opponent moving.
Problem: Loose tackling relieves pressure on opponents.
Remedy:
1. Focus on your opponents hips rather than the ball to prepare to tackle.
2. Keep your head down relatively low and tucked into your own shoulder, thus avoiding being struck by an accidental elbow.
3. If at all possible, pin at least one of your opponents arms which makes it very difficult for him to dispose of the ball legally.
Smothering
Problem: Ineffective smothering through incorrect technique.
Remedy:
1. The hands are brought from hip level, close together.
2. The arms and the hands are extended at about 45 degrees over the kicking boot.
3. The person smothering must keep his eyes on the ball at all times.
Spoiling
Problem: Infringing while attempting to spoil.
Remedy:
1. Practise spoiling without infringing on opponent.
2. Have players calling for ball from spoil.
3. Direct spoil to these players.
Bump
Problem: Bumping incorrectly giving away a free kick.
Remedy:
1. Lean towards the opponent pushing hard from the foot.
2. The arm is bent with the elbow tucked into the side.
3. Make contact with the shoulder and upper arm - preferably when an opponent is settled on one foot, i.e. so that he is easier to unbalance.
4. The bumping player should keep his feet on the ground at all times. Only bump when an opponent does not have the ball. If he does have the ball apply a tackle.
Summary