Blues will defend 'tempo'

[Blu3_Boy]

Blues will defend 'tempo'

Jake Niall | June 4, 2008

FACED with supporter criticism for using "tempo" football during its loss to Geelong, Carlton has mounted a spirited defence of the keepings-off tactics it employed before half-time on Saturday night.
Mindful of complaints from fans — and some booing from the crowd when the players slowed the game — the Blues will defend their use of tempo football today on the club website, and last night coach Brett Ratten said the keepings-off tactic had halted a Geelong run-on and that he would be willing to use it for a whole game if it gave the Blues the four points.
Ratten noted that the Blues had actually scored a goal to Nick Stevens, while the Cats failed to score one in the more than six minutes of tempo football, during which Carlton players regularly kicked the ball backwards and sideways. The Blues had to restart the tempo after coughing it up twice.
At Ratten's instruction, captain Chris Judd gave the signal to teammates to begin a tempo drill, with more than six minutes left before half-time; Geelong had booted three consecutive goals and threatened to run away with the game.
The Carlton coach also confirmed that the club had adopted a more defensive game style since the round-three loss to Essendon, when they scored 133 points.
Asked about the supporter concerns — which will be addressed on the club website today in a video interview with assistant coach Mark Riley — Ratten said: "If we have minutes of play where we slow the play and hold the ball in our hands, and it keeps us in a winning position, I think that's entertaining for us, and we're not so much worried about the entertainment factor. It'd be great to shoot-out at the corral every game you play. It's not all about that, it's about us giving ourselves the best winning chance.
"If strategically or tactically we have to do that, well we'll do it for the whole game if we have to."
Ratten also responded strongly to the suggestion that young players should not taught such a negative tactic. "Then, there's the other debate — do you play helter-skelter footy all the time as well?
"Is that teaching your players as well, because there's not too much defensive aspect in that. Do you teach them any defence in their game?"
Ratten said Geelong scored goals very quickly, often securing victories in a short burst of several goals this year. Sydney and Adelaide used "tempo" regularly and "those teams play finals year in, year out".

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/blues-will-defend-tempo/2008/06/03/1212258825864.html



Are you a fan of the 'tempo' game plan Ratten has enforced?



I, for one am happy with it, because it does help us slow the game down especially in situations were teams are smashing us and have the momentum, for example like Geelong scored two consecutive goals and Judd signaled that tactic to slow it down and it did work with the Steven's goal.



What are your thoughts on this?

 

[thylacine60]

Blues will defend 'tempo'

Jake Niall | June 4, 2008

FACED with supporter criticism for using "tempo" football during its loss to Geelong, Carlton has mounted a spirited defence of the keepings-off tactics it employed before half-time on Saturday night.
Mindful of complaints from fans — and some booing from the crowd when the players slowed the game — the Blues will defend their use of tempo football today on the club website, and last night coach Brett Ratten said the keepings-off tactic had halted a Geelong run-on and that he would be willing to use it for a whole game if it gave the Blues the four points.
Ratten noted that the Blues had actually scored a goal to Nick Stevens, while the Cats failed to score one in the more than six minutes of tempo football, during which Carlton players regularly kicked the ball backwards and sideways. The Blues had to restart the tempo after coughing it up twice.
At Ratten's instruction, captain Chris Judd gave the signal to teammates to begin a tempo drill, with more than six minutes left before half-time; Geelong had booted three consecutive goals and threatened to run away with the game.
The Carlton coach also confirmed that the club had adopted a more defensive game style since the round-three loss to Essendon, when they scored 133 points.
Asked about the supporter concerns — which will be addressed on the club website today in a video interview with assistant coach Mark Riley — Ratten said: "If we have minutes of play where we slow the play and hold the ball in our hands, and it keeps us in a winning position, I think that's entertaining for us, and we're not so much worried about the entertainment factor. It'd be great to shoot-out at the corral every game you play. It's not all about that, it's about us giving ourselves the best winning chance.
"If strategically or tactically we have to do that, well we'll do it for the whole game if we have to."
Ratten also responded strongly to the suggestion that young players should not taught such a negative tactic. "Then, there's the other debate — do you play helter-skelter footy all the time as well?
"Is that teaching your players as well, because there's not too much defensive aspect in that. Do you teach them any defence in their game?"
Ratten said Geelong scored goals very quickly, often securing victories in a short burst of several goals this year. Sydney and Adelaide used "tempo" regularly and "those teams play finals year in, year out".

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/blues-will-defend-tempo/2008/06/03/1212258825864.html



Are you a fan of the 'tempo' game plan Ratten has enforced?



I, for one am happy with it, because it does help us slow the game down especially in situations were teams are smashing us and have the momentum, for example like Geelong scored two consecutive goals and Judd signaled that tactic to slow it down and it did work with the Steven's goal.



What are your thoughts on this?

Boy did we slow things down and stop them running away with the game though, didn't we? I mean it was only a lazy 9+ goals in the end. What crap. We may need to put the breaks on occasionally if a team runs hot but to hear our coach saying he would use the tactic for 100 minutes is very depressing.

We might be lucky to see us playing the type of footy Richmond used to negate Adelaide last year - a shining candidate for worst match ever not-played. If that's where he's taking us, he can include me out.

I understand we need to learn to defend the ball before we can go on all-out attack but this style of game-plan is not what I pay my money to watch.

I want FOOTY not ____ing Chinese Checkers.

 

[as0l0]

I hate tempo football....when other teams are using it...

Whatever it takes Ratts.

 

[Bluebear]

Boy did we slow things down and stop them running away with the game though, didn't we? I mean it was only a lazy 9+ goals in the end. What crap. We may need to put the breaks on occasionally if a team runs hot but to hear our coach saying he would use the tactic for 100 minutes is very depressing.

I agree with you that I wouldn't want us to produce a Richmond-esque win with Tempo footy for the whole game. Despite what Ratts has said here I don't think he does either. Hence, we didn't see it in the third, but continued to attack......to our detriment.

I didn't mind the tactic fo that short burst, and in fact it was just an extension of what we have been doing since round 4, at the end of every quarter.

WHY?
Because we were being heavily socred on in time on in each of the first 4 rounds......maybe a sign that we weren't fit enough to run out the whole Q, so instead, we get our noses ahead, then rest with tempo footy in the last 5 mins.

This was an extension of that timed to stop the avalanche coming.

It worked. We went in at half time still in the game. I can't remember the last time that happenned vs the Cats.

It's good to practice under match conditions and refine the tactic, but we won't see it happen for a full game........and as we get fitter I can't see it happening lots at all, other than to stop a team when they have a run on.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I'm more concerned that Ratten is worried about what the uneducated masses might think of our tactics at any given point of a game. I'm all for communication and all, but I'd hate to think Ratten might baulk at his preferred tactic for fear of fan reprisal.

If you end up getting the four points Ratts, the masses will be appeased regardless of how you get there. Our fans sometimes are proof of the old adage that a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.

Do what you think is best Ratts, that is why you are there.

 

[Will.B.Worth.Da.Waite]

I can't believe anyone would complain about this. We have been down for so long, I just want to win - win at all costs. I don't give a shit how we play. Win first, then once we are a decent side, find ways to play more attractive footy. No point playing attractive footy if we are going to be on the bottom of the ladder for the whole time. It's Dennis Pagan all over again

Look at the swans, they won a premiership playing boring footy. you think their fans give a shit? I'd take the premiership over attractive footy any day. And now look at them this year, they are playing great, exciting footy. Winning needs to be the number 1 priority. Once we start winning regularly, then we can start focusing on attracting the audience. Because I guarantee you,that if we are winning games, attendance will remain high no matter how we are playing. Would you rather win a game, or come back from a game like Carlton v. Essendon losing, but saw a good game of footy? We have been losing for so long, just get the 4 points. It really shouldn't matter how you do it. With each win, our players will get more experience and confidence, which will help them be able to execute attacking game plans more effectively.

FWIW, I thought that 6 minute patch against Geelong worked beautifullly. We killed their momentum, and managed to be only 13 points down at half time

 

[Mayesy_23]

I hate tempo football....when other teams are using it...

Whatever it takes Ratts.

My thoughts exactly haha.

 

[Zachy45]

I'm all for it.

when teams have run on's like Geelong did it helps us gain some control and not get blown out of the water.

 

[one_twelve112]

It goes against everything I believe AFL football should be about

 

[Master of Cooks]

It goes against everything I believe AFL football should be about

Its now the new part of football. If you don't like it then maybe you should try and get pagan back.

 

[one_twelve112]

Its now the new part of football. If you don't like it then maybe you should try and get pagan back.

The really good teams aren't doing it; Hawthorn, Geelong, Bulldogs, West Coast circa 2005/2006 etc...Can you explain this?

 

[Pamam]

The really good teams aren't doing it; Hawthorn, Geelong, Bulldogs, West Coast circa 2005/2006 etc...Can you explain this?

the hawks used to do it!!!

 

[RiCHii]

I think it is quite effective as we can attempt to stop quarter fade outs by holding onto the ball.

 

[legendtofski]

I find 'tempo' footy a blight on our fantastic game and it rewards mediocrity. Look at fricken Shitney! I hate them, the most unskilled team to EVER win a flag.

I would prefer we had skilled players that win games of good skilled ansd tough footy, but becuase we're still a pretty crap team we do this to avoid getting smashed. Not sure what sort of message this gives our players about their own abilities.

 

[Mayesy_23]

I find 'tempo' footy a blight on our fantastic game and it rewards mediocrity. Look at fricken Shitney! I hate them, the most unskilled team to EVER win a flag.

I would prefer we had skilled players that win games of good skilled ansd tough footy, but becuase we're still a pretty crap team we do this to avoid getting smashed. Not sure what sort of message this gives our players about their own abilities.

Tell me if we had the same success as Sydney in the next 6 years you'd be compaining...

 

[a1118374]

it worked great. Its nice to see we have a modern coach. If we came out better in the second half it would have been a great tactic as we should have been far more than 13 down at the half.

The really good teams dont get in a position where they need to do it. Were not that good....yet

 

[Just Kreuzing]

I stopped watching when i seen this, dont mind it with a minute or 2 to go but not for over 6 minutes.

I bet Carazzo, Thornton and Scotland defend this tactic because they wouldnt get about 80% of their disposals without it.

 

[Alpha1]

I have no problems with the tactic and the people who were booing were prolly the opposition supporters anyway.

 

[Barry Zuckercorn]

I'm more concerned that Ratten is worried about what the uneducated masses might think of our tactics at any given point of a game. I'm all for communication and all, but I'd hate to think Ratten might baulk at his preferred tactic for fear of fan reprisal.

If you end up getting the four points Ratts, the masses will be appeased regardless of how you get there. Our fans sometimes are proof of the old adage that a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.

Do what you think is best Ratts, that is why you are there.

Spot on ODN!

Tempo footy is very much part of the modern game whether we like it or not, so we ignore it at our own risk. Cant recall too much tempo footy under Pagan

 

[blues4flag]

If ten minutes of tempo footy throughout the game means we're in a shot with half a quarter to go, rather than 6 goals down, then count me in.

 

[one_twelve112]

I'm more concerned that Ratten is worried about what the uneducated masses might think of our tactics at any given point of a game. I'm all for communication and all, but I'd hate to think Ratten might baulk at his preferred tactic for fear of fan reprisal.

If you end up getting the four points Ratts, the masses will be appeased regardless of how you get there. Our fans sometimes are proof of the old adage that a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.

Do what you think is best Ratts, that is why you are there.

Couldn't agree with you any less on these points ODN. Labelling people who clearly do not agree with "the spirit" of his tactics as 'uneducated' =

 

[Just Kreuzing]

If ten minutes of tempo footy throughout the game means we're in a shot with half a quarter to go, rather than 6 goals down, then count me in.

We went from freezing the ball late in the 2nd to just plain freezing ourselves for all of the 3rd. It really fired geelong up and got us into a mindset of negetive and riskfree footy... to the point no one even got a kick or manned up... must of froze our legs and arms up also as we didnt chase or even tackle. I always thought you froze when you had the lead and were protecting the lead not trying to keep your deficit from getting above 19 points unless we were in the last minute of the quarter or so.

 

[Blue Dimension]

I've always said, don't complain and just man up. Not hard. When it's the opposing team who has to take responsibility and to be accountable, simple as that. If you're going to push numbers back then thats just tough luck.

It wouldn't happen if players just took a man and followed him instead of dropping back.

 

[1eight6four]

Modernity, evolution, winning come to mind.

The coaches role is to create a disciplined unit with a desperation and plan to win - not teach them to oil paint sunflowers.

 

[thylacine60]

I can't believe anyone would complain about this. We have been down for so long, I just want to win - win at all costs. I don't give a shit how we play. Win first, then once we are a decent side, find ways to play more attractive footy. No point playing attractive footy if we are going to be on the bottom of the ladder for the whole time. It's Dennis Pagan all over again

Look at the swans, they won a premiership playing boring footy. you think their fans give a shit? I'd take the premiership over attractive footy any day. And now look at them this year, they are playing great, exciting footy. Winning needs to be the number 1 priority. Once we start winning regularly, then we can start focusing on attracting the audience. Because I guarantee you,that if we are winning games, attendance will remain high no matter how we are playing. Would you rather win a game, or come back from a game like Carlton v. Essendon losing, but saw a good game of footy? We have been losing for so long, just get the 4 points. It really shouldn't matter how you do it. With each win, our players will get more experience and confidence, which will help them be able to execute attacking game plans more effectively.

FWIW, I thought that 6 minute patch against Geelong worked beautifullly. We killed their momentum, and managed to be only 13 points down at half time

Man do we enjoy completely different aspects of Australian Rules Football.