Strategy Clock management in AFL

[mike14]

This came up in conversation a few months back, but I forgot to raise it on here. It's based around the importance of clock management in the NFL, and the strange (for most sports) way that due to the how the game is played, you'll see teams not wanting to score at the death because it means there's a chance for a turnover, so instead they just run down the clock. On the surface it's always seemed 'wrong' to me that you'd forgo a chance to score, but it does make a tonne of sense.

In the AFL context (and it's now very fresh after yesterday); should you be taking shots at goal within the last 60 seconds of the game knowing that one of these two outcomes is most likely:
a. goal is scored, ball is in dispute in the middle of the ground with your opponent having less than 60 seconds to score twice
b. behind is scored (or out on the full) and opponent has uncontested ball and needs to go the length of the field

or should you waste your full 30 seconds and then kick the ball backwards out of the 50m area to a teammate in the expectation that you can either chip the ball around in 10 second increments to kill the game, or at least burn 20-30 seconds before going 'long down the line' to create an out of bounds and disputed ball deep in your 50m.

Obviously you wouldn't pass up a shot from the goal square, and some of it depends on who has the ball; but percentage wise, would you encourage or want your team to implement a rule that if they know there's 1 minute (or near enough) left and the shot is from greater than 30m and/or on a more than 30 degree angle you'd manage the clock rather than take the shot?

 

[eth-dog]

I'd back Harry to make the shot. That would have killed the game.

 

[faible]

This came up in conversation a few months back, but I forgot to raise it on here. It's based around the importance of clock management in the NFL, and the strange (for most sports) way that due to the how the game is played, you'll see teams not wanting to score at the death because it means there's a chance for a turnover, so instead they just run down the clock. On the surface it's always seemed 'wrong' to me that you'd forgo a chance to score, but it does make a tonne of sense.

In the AFL context (and it's now very fresh after yesterday); should you be taking shots at goal within the last 60 seconds of the game knowing that one of these two outcomes is most likely:
a. goal is scored, ball is in dispute in the middle of the ground with your opponent having less than 60 seconds to score twice
b. behind is scored (or out on the full) and opponent has uncontested ball and needs to go the length of the field

or should you waste your full 30 seconds and then kick the ball backwards out of the 50m area to a teammate in the expectation that you can either chip the ball around in 10 second increments to kill the game, or at least burn 20-30 seconds before going 'long down the line' to create an out of bounds and disputed ball deep in your 50m.

Obviously you wouldn't pass up a shot from the goal square, and some of it depends on who has the ball; but percentage wise, would you encourage or want your team to implement a rule that if they know there's 1 minute (or near enough) left and the shot is from greater than 30m and/or on a more than 30 degree angle you'd manage the clock rather than take the shot?

An experienced team kills the clock IMO.

In a GF, peak-Hawthorn doesn't take the shot from 50, but instead wastes 30 seconds to go sideways / backwards to open players. The whole team would be aware this will happen.

That said, an experienced side has time and ability to implement marginal tactics because they're not busy trying to do fundamentals.

Sure, Jones should have kicked the goal, he's a good kick, he'd probably nail that 2/3 of the time. But you manage the clock because it's 100% controllable, not 66%.

 

[bacon buster]

The difference between AFL and the NFL is that they know how long is left in the NFL. I’m sure that had we known how long was left yesterday we still would have cocked it up

It was clear as day who trains for those situations and who doesn’t after yesterday.

 

[eth-dog]

The difference between AFL and the NFL is that they know how long is left in the NFL. I’m sure that had we known how long was left yesterday we still would have cocked it up

It was clear as day who trains for those situations and who doesn’t after yesterday.

Everyone trains for those situations

 

[faible]

Everyone trains for those situations

The AFL has some of the most room for player error of any sport; long durations of active play, high numbers of players on-field and a large physical match arena means players have to operate a lot more independently for a lot longer than a sport like NFL.

 

[bacon buster]

Everyone trains for those situations

sure, i believe that

so are the players being taught poorly, or executing poorly?

 

[eth-dog]

sure, i believe that

so are the players being taught poorly, or executing poorly?

Apart from Ham moving up to try to impact Moore when he was no chance of doing so we did most of the things right. Wright was out of position, which allowed the quick kick to Moore, but we were covering the corridor which is what you're supposed to do. We executed poorly no doubt but do you honestly expect teams don't do that? I'm involved in a D1 VAFA club and we run scenario's like that.

 

[bacon buster]

Apart from Ham moving up to try to impact Moore when he was no chance of doing so we did most of the things right. Wright was out of position, which allowed the quick kick to Moore, but we were covering the corridor which is what you're supposed to do. We executed poorly no doubt but do you honestly expect teams don't do that? I'm involved in a D1 VAFA club and we run scenario's like that.

of course teams execute poorly. as someone ppinted out, Pies went coast to coast for a goal to Mihcek in the 3rd quarter as well.

it's unforgiveable to execute as poorly as we did with 1 minute left though. maybe they are being coached it, and they just haven't had enough practise at it

we shall see next time we are in that position.

 

[Milanista28]

You're not allowed to receive a handball if you run through the mark correct? Say Jones goes back takes his 30 seconds and just before it lapses he handballs to Stringer who runs through the mark and has a shot, the umpire would be forced to bring the ball back and reset the mark, that would waste so much extra time, I'd teach the players that play, would be great to see.

 

[jmoo wan]

or should you waste your full 30 seconds and then kick the ball backwards out of the 50m area to a teammate in the expectation that you can either chip the ball around in 10 second increments to kill the game, or at least burn 20-30 seconds before going 'long down the line' to create an out of bounds and disputed ball deep in your 50m.

This would be hilarious if this happened. Could you imagine the volume of booing that would happen. People would completely lose their shit

 

[bacon buster]

This would be hilarious if this happened. Could you imagine the volume of booing that would happen. People would completely lose their s**t

don't need to imagine it. i remember round 1 1997 against Carlton

can't find the video of the chipping, but we wasted 2 minutes before Mecuri kicked a nice sealer

 

[Yoda_]

I'd back Harry to make the shot. That would have killed the game.

according to some, Harry kicking the goal was not a certainty that we were going to win the game

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

Remember years ago Tigers were maybe 5 pts ahead with only less than a minute. We voted a point and Joel Bowden stepped just walked in two behinds instead of taking the kick and time ran down. Not popular at the time and smart by him…think it lead to rule change for deliberate rushed behinds. As for OP’s point on NFL, they take a knee to run down last couple of mins, virtually risk free play. But agree if there’s a short option when shooting for goal and very low risk then could be worth a go

 

[Bjchan13]

Absolutely should be taking the full 30 seconds and then finding an easy target in that situation. Keep possesion and wind the clock down. Make the opposition man up which leaves holes all over the ground to lead into