Countering the Don't Argue

Sherrinator

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Hmm, personally I think conceding a handball is the last thing you want to do. Once a player has got rid of the ball they've done their job.

By definition, a player needs both arms in order to execute a handball, so if one arm has been deflected out of the way, that task just got a lot harder.
Only needed one hand in 2016
 

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dmc333

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Weird more players don't just grab them by the hand/wrist.

Dusty or not, if they've got the ball in one arm and you've got their other arm, you're dictating what happens next.
 

Jtree

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I love to see a good Don’t Argue executed.

But one of the other things I love about our game is that it is constantly evolving; even willing to take on techniques from other sports. Tactical trends emerge, and then we start to see the emergence of tactics for countering those tactics. Look at the way tackling techniques have evolved, and the way we’ve seen the emergence of counter-techniques for dealing with tackles. (You might even say the Shuey is currently on the other foot.)

So, why haven’t we really seen much evidence that any thought has been put into countering the Don’t Argue? (Hereafter referred to as the DA.)

Currently, if a DA is well-timed and placed, the inevitable result is opponents falling away like extras in a bad action movie.

But it’s not as if (despite what you might think from the name) there’s no possible answer to it. No situation is beyond remedy. Footballers are strong, toned, balanced, and gifted with much faster reflexes than you or me.

Here’s one thought, borrowing from another sport.

Although my entire martial arts experience consists of a mere 18 months of kung fu training several decades ago, there are two relevant things I still clearly remember from that time –

1. keeping a low centre of gravity, and

2. deflecting your opponent’s attacks, rather than copping the full brunt.

I see both of these as potentially useful options for defenders to keep in the front of their minds when contesting with a player known for using the DA.

The low centre of gravity - because the DA is mostly about knocking an opponent off balance, or at least stopping them in their tracks. Might we see a time when players approaching a known Don’t Arguer adopt more of a crouching stance, making themselves hard to knock off balance, and also a smaller target in the process? Might be worth a thought.

And the deflection – my modest kung fu training taught that, with practice, a blow from even a much bigger and heavier opponent can easily be knocked harmlessly to the side. It’s all a question of being ready for it so you can react instantly, and let’s face it, most exponents of the DA are well known for it, so there’s little excuse for not being ready.

Could footballers be trained to be ready to deflect the outthrust arm, and continue forward in the same movement, to implement a tackle? We might start to see players contemptuously put out the DA, only to find it being brushed harmlessly aside, and themselves bundled unceremoniously onto their arse, or over the boundary line.

Over to those of you with far greater martial arts (and indeed football) experience.
Personally I'd recommend economic sanctions, could be the most diplomatic approach to the "don't argue".
 

copthat

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PieLebo87

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Yep. That goal has always been a favourite of mine.

That's the one. Typical champion style - wins stoppage clearance, plebs around him do nothing with it, gathers own footy again, bursts through another pleb... goal.

26 possessions, 4 goals, ANZAC medal and 3 Brownlow votes. Feeling nostalgic tonight. :'(
 

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Damon_3388

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Take the hips and concede a handball
Given that (to use an example) Dustin Martin's main weapon and objective with most possessions is a long kick (as evidenced by his high kick-to-handball ratio, and metres gained per disposal), that's probably not a bad way to try and curb his influence. It assumes though that you're going to be able to stick the low tackle, which is a task and a risk in itself.

Players could also be well-served to observe and practice some movements from amateur wrestling, as well as offensive and defensive linemen in the NFL. "Hand play" and footwork are as important as aggression and intent.
 

Snake_Baker

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Given that (to use an example) Dustin Martin's main weapon and objective with most possessions is a long kick (as evidenced by his high kick-to-handball ratio, and metres gained per disposal), that's probably not a bad way to try and curb his influence. It assumes though that you're going to be able to stick the low tackle, which is a task and a risk in itself.

Players could also be well-served to observe and practice some movements from amateur wrestling, as well as offensive and defensive linemen in the NFL. "Hand play" and footwork are as important as aggression and intent.
Going in lower to tackle also invites a high contact free kick. Hell, grab a leg as well. Trip him all day long.

His burst run and kicking (as you mentioned) are the tools that separate him from the pack.
 
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Apparently Shaun Grigg has said in his six years at the club they all try to tackle him through the don't argue at training... He said they very very rarely succeed ....as with a lot of skills at an elite level... It's a timing thing
 

UnitedWarrior93

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Most of the time you're caught out on a don't argue, you go in for a tackle only to be stiff armed, it all happens very quick.

Trying to grab the arm doesn't work, only way is to attack the hips.
 

Rimmer

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Seems he has been caught too the most in 2017 so it does not always work. But it does work most of the time. Realistically you can hope to tackle him and bring him to ground some of the time but you are not going to be able to stop every don't argue. Even when caught he has opened up play with quick hands.

By the way, unimpressed by Garry Lyon's suggestion today that someone should start a fight with Dusty in the prelim to get him knocked out of the Grand Final. Stupid comment, even if you were just being flippant ... for a start whats in it for the player who gets in the fight, if Richmond is in the grand final then the instigator of this fights team is not in the grand final. You are better than this Gary ... there are players in the game with the IQ of a hamster who might try this.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/pi...l/news-story/b62155f5c222b4ad14c42bf1e2e3fccb
 
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