Opposition Kick-Ins

[Southerntakeover]

Just watching the second half again, and ive got to say, the pressure we put on Geelongs kick ins was sublime. They were really struggling to get the ball out.

Watching a little closer, i noticed something even more interesting. van Berlo single handedly intercepted three or four himself. Set up Dangerfield, and his own goal in the third quarter at pretty important times.

My question i spose is: why did this happen?

Was it just luck?

Is van Berlo becomming exceptionally good at reading opposition play out of defence? (frontal pressure baby)

Have we identifed that when we set our zone up, theres a specific area that is usually weak and thus set up a trap of sorts to intercept opposing rebounds when they come to that spot?

 

[Vader]

More likely, they consistently chose to bring the ball out the same way each time (much the same as we do by kicking it to Rutten 45m out near the boundary line). VB may have just been the player closest to the designated receiver, hence the one who pulled off the intercepts.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Yeah, just wondering if it was something wed scouted before the game. It was great watching it, and getting that sort of pressure on the opposition rebounds goes along way to winning.

 

[spexau]

More likely, they consistently chose to bring the ball out the same way each time (much the same as we do by kicking it to Rutten 45m out near the boundary line). VB may have just been the player closest to the designated receiver, hence the one who pulled off the intercepts.

This seems to be our last option though but most of the time we get away with it even though it's an obvious trend. Wonder why?

 

[SugarShane]

This goes back a few weeks too, i've been really impressed with our pressure at opposition kick ins lately.

 

[jo172]

Basically Geelong have a set plan of where to kick it in, we have a set zone. VB was standing in the place in our zone where Geelong's plan was to kick it in.

They were just unusually poor at executing the kick in skill.

I've got to say, one of the biggest improvements we've had in our form turn around has been the execution of the kick in zone. Is now operating similar to 2006-2006 in that it's incredibly difficult to achieve a meaningful thrust forward against.

 

[cmndstab]

Yeah, just wondering if it was something wed scouted before the game. It was great watching it, and getting that sort of pressure on the opposition rebounds goes along way to winning.

Assuming we did scout it, VB is a very natural choice for that role. You need elite fitness to constantly run to intercept those kick-ins.

One commentary comment I've heard a couple of times as of late is how when opposition players look up and see the Crows players "jumping around and waving their arms everywhere", it makes it really hard. Is this really true? Is it more difficult (or perhaps more intimidating) to kick in with opposition players jumping around than if they are in position but stationary?

 

[Southerntakeover]

Assuming we did scout it, VB is a very natural choice for that role. You need elite fitness to constantly run to intercept those kick-ins.

Yeah that was going to be a secondary point, if people thought this was was happening.

I think ive noticed van Berlo playing alot more of a forward running yet still defensively pressuring role of late. Sighted alot making tackles/spoils etc on the half forward line.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Assuming we did scout it, VB is a very natural choice for that role. You need elite fitness to constantly run to intercept those kick-ins.

One commentary comment I've heard a couple of times as of late is how when opposition players look up and see the Crows players "jumping around and waving their arms everywhere", it makes it really hard. Is this really true? Is it more difficult (or perhaps more intimidating) to kick in with opposition players jumping around than if they are in position but stationary?

I believe it is; especially the waving arms and side stepping laterally to confuse/block the kickers vision.

Now if only we have a signal from a nearby team mate that says the field umpire has called play on.

Im sure some of the players on the mark dont hear this immediately due to crowd noise. The quicker we can go at the player with the ball after play-on is called) the better our pressure can force a hurried decision/kick.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

One commentary comment I've heard a couple of times as of late is how when opposition players look up and see the Crows players "jumping around and waving their arms everywhere", it makes it really hard. Is this really true? Is it more difficult (or perhaps more intimidating) to kick in with opposition players jumping around than if they are in position but stationary?

Jumping up and down and moving around like that creates the illusion that you are covering more space. Also the eye is attracted to movement so hopefully all the player with the ball can see is a swirling mass of Crows players.

VB is definitely pushing further forward lately. Since Symes has come in he hasn't really played that defensive midfielder / half back role at all. I like him being a bit more attack-minded.

 

[showdownhero]

This goes back a few weeks too, i've been really impressed with our pressure at opposition kick ins lately.

My apologies but this is patently wrong. Watch the game against WCE they scored at least 4 goals directly from kick ins using a set play.

 

[SugarShane]

My apologies but this is patently wrong. Watch the game against WCE they scored at least 4 goals directly from kick ins using a set play.

I'll have to plead ignorance there since i was in Melbourne that weekend and missed the game

 

[Southerntakeover]

My apologies but this is patently wrong. Watch the game against WCE they scored at least 4 goals directly from kick ins using a set play.

Could it be a subi factor?

Obviously the extra space would make a zone less effective. Interesting to note that practically every other sport which uses the zone (basketball, NFL etc) play on a standardised pitch.

 

[Allbetsroff]

I believe it is; especially the waving arms and side stepping laterally to confuse/block the kickers vision.

Now if only we have a signal from a nearby team mate that says the field umpire has called play on.

Im sure some of the players on the mark dont hear this immediately due to crowd noise. The quicker we can go at the player with the ball after play-on is called) the better our pressure can force a hurried decision/kick.

This irks me a little because sometimes its 2-3 seconds before the player on the mark reacts, a faster reaction would mean more time to close on the player and less time for the player to choose a positive option or dispose of it correctly.

 

[showdownhero]

Could it be a subi factor?

Obviously the extra space would make a zone less effective. Interesting to note that practically every other sport which uses the zone (basketball, NFL etc) play on a standardised pitch.

That was exactly what I thought at the time.

I think our zone was over stretched and they were able to take advantage. Nevertheless I was a little frustrated that Craigy didn't go something to rectify it before their 4th goal.

 

[Vader]

Could it be a subi factor?

Obviously the extra space would make a zone less effective. Interesting to note that practically every other sport which uses the zone (basketball, NFL etc) play on a standardised pitch.

Which begs the question of how well our zone will work on other grounds? For example, the MCG is much wider (it's more circle than oval in shape). It works well at Football Park, it didn't work well at Subiaco, how well does it work at Docklands and the MCG?

 

[Southerntakeover]

Which begs the question of how well our zone will work on other grounds? For example, the MCG is much wider (it's more circle than oval in shape). It works well at Football Park, it didn't work well at Subiaco, how well does it work at Docklands and the MCG?

Might be something to that.

Its not like our home and away records have a massive discrepency or anything.

 

[johnnypanther]

Yeah that was going to be a secondary point, if people thought this was was happening.

I think ive noticed van Berlo playing alot more of a forward running yet still defensively pressuring role of late. Sighted alot making tackles/spoils etc on the half forward line.

i thought so too and its a part of his game that has either gone unnoticed or unappreciated by many supporters.

 

[showdownhero]

Which begs the question of how well our zone will work on other grounds? For example, the MCG is much wider (it's more circle than oval in shape). It works well at Football Park, it didn't work well at Subiaco, how well does it work at Docklands and the MCG?

The real tests will be the tigers and pies both at the G (rounds 18 and 21). Surely Craig will have them out in the car park and really putting the zone through the ringer on MCG dimesions

 

[cmndstab]

I believe it is; especially the waving arms and side stepping laterally to confuse/block the kickers vision.

Now if only we have a signal from a nearby team mate that says the field umpire has called play on.

Im sure some of the players on the mark dont hear this immediately due to crowd noise. The quicker we can go at the player with the ball after play-on is called) the better our pressure can force a hurried decision/kick.

Good explanation... sometimes I forget (not having really played any footy myself) that the ball carrier isn't seeing the isometric view that we are offered on TV

Fully agree on the second paragraph, so often you hear "PLAY ON PLAY ON PLAY ON" through the umpire's microphone, but it's clear that the players themselves don't hear it. Which always makes me think, how unfair is it that players get penalised 50m for not immediately following the umpire's directions in some circumstances when they clearly can't hear them easily?