Tips for a Pom player please!

[pomcrow]

As a relative newie to the game (esp. playing), I was wondering if anyone out there could help:

I missed 75% of last year due to rupturing the tendons in my left middle finger (dominant hand) when taking a mark. Now admittedly, the injury wasn't that bad but I componded the problem due to playing on for 3/4 weeks.

So I come back to pre-season training this year pumped and ready for action. All is well. However, in the 3rd training session, I shatter the middle (PIP) joint in exactly the same finger, again trying to take a mark.

Guys at work reckon it will be at least 8 weeks before I can play footy again, and they think I should pack in the game, as (being a potential future physio), I cant risk any further hand damage.

However, I think thats crap because 1) no-one at work understands what Australian Football is, and 2) I also love playing the game (even if I am the worst player of all time)

Basically, I reckon there must be an fundamental flaw in my catching technique, probably down to a combination of only playing soccer as a kid, and general athletic crapness.

I've seen some catching aids on t'internet, but before shelling out some cash I was wondering if:

1) Any uses a catching aid, and if so - are they any good.
2) Any insights into how footy players are taught to catch
3) Has anyone else suffered a similair injury and how long did it take to recover

Sorry for the long post, but I'd really appreciate any help!

(Wasn't sure what board to put this in - sorry)

 

[Mikes4]

I would suppose you are trying to mark out in front in your hands? This is a difficult enough skill to master even for those who have played since they can walk.

It is a bit difficult to explain correct marking technique, however I am sure if you just reverted to chest marking for every situation, you'd almost nullify any possible damage to your hands while playing.

If you are still intent on being able to mark overhead or out in the hands, maybe you could buy this book which will help with correct technique:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0736060057/qid=1145570080/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_0_1/026-5216154-7482027 (edited by none other than Andrew McLeod )

And a pair of these to give you a bit of support and confidence.


http://nomisfootball.com/Nomis/Gloves/Overview.aspx

 

[Roonaldo!]

As a relative newie to the game (esp. playing), I was wondering if anyone out there could help:

I missed 75% of last year due to rupturing the tendons in my left middle finger (dominant hand) when taking a mark. Now admittedly, the injury wasn't that bad but I componded the problem due to playing on for 3/4 weeks.

So I come back to pre-season training this year pumped and ready for action. All is well. However, in the 3rd training session, I shatter the middle (PIP) joint in exactly the same finger, again trying to take a mark.

Guys at work reckon it will be at least 8 weeks before I can play footy again, and they think I should pack in the game, as (being a potential future physio), I cant risk any further hand damage.

However, I think thats crap because 1) no-one at work understands what Australian Football is, and 2) I also love playing the game (even if I am the worst player of all time)

Basically, I reckon there must be an fundamental flaw in my catching technique, probably down to a combination of only playing soccer as a kid, and general athletic crapness.

I've seen some catching aids on t'internet, but before shelling out some cash I was wondering if:

1) Any uses a catching aid, and if so - are they any good.
2) Any insights into how footy players are taught to catch
3) Has anyone else suffered a similair injury and how long did it take to recover

Sorry for the long post, but I'd really appreciate any help!

(Wasn't sure what board to put this in - sorry)

Play real football instead

 

[Lenny*]

I've seen some catching aids on t'internet

So you need some tips on catching AIDS?

ok.....Grey St, St.Kilda, Victoria Theres a start.

 

[Locky]

Play real football instead

I'm lost, isn't he talking about playing Aussie Rules Football??

 

[goDees22]

grippo goes alright

 

[sp-mac]

When being tackled, scream in pain like a girl until your opponent turns away in disgust. Then it's time to kick him in the back!!!!

This technique earns respect from blokes and phone numbers from chicks

 

[MSG77]

First of all, make sure your finger heals before you go out and try to catch the ball again. The last thing you want is permanent damage that may affect you adversely in "real" life. As someone else stated, marking the ball when leading directly toward the kicker (especially when the kick is low and hard) is a hard skill to perfect. If you have a step or two on your defender your best bet is to chest mark. That will keep your hands mostly out of it. Just make sure you stay in front, directly between the ball and the defender. Keep your arms close to your sides so the defender can't reach under them. It is tough for the defender to spoil from directly behind that way, especially if he is a few steps off. If you have to take the mark in your hands, try to have "soft hands" and make sure to keep your fingers spread. When you go for the ball, don't stab at it with your hands, wait for it to come to you.

Here's the best way I can explain it, try this out as a visualization exercise. Extend your arms out in front of you with your fingers spread. Your two thumbs and index fingers should sort of make a triangle (but not touching, leave about an inch between the opposing thumbs and index fingers). Try to keep the ball in the middle of the triangle. Let the ball hit the thumbs and index fingers first. Just as it makes contact, try to pull back (give) just a little (soft hands). At the same time, close the rest of your fingers around the ball. Start out with someone just tossing you a ball so you can get the mechanics down. Work your way to very short and light kicking. Once you get the muscle memory and some confidence, stretch out the length and intensity of the kicks.

Also, if you are in a tight contest, you are more likely to hurt a finger because of the bumping for position. You might have a good read on the ball, but at the last minute get moved slightly so that the ball hits the outside fingers rather than the middle of the "triangle". It is probably best at that point to not try to mark the ball. If you're behind you should be punching it anyway. But seeing as you're not playing at a high level, you should probably punch even a 50/50. Just don't let the other guy mark it. Try to punch it toward a teammate if one is close. If you're in you defensive zone, you should probably just try to punch toward the boundary. When you punch the ball, make sure your hand is CLOSED. Punching with an open hand is a very good way to hurt your fingers.

If you're just starting, practice will help. But don't just go out and start with 40m kicks or low hard stabs. Almost everyone who can overhead mark those kicks consistently probably started with soft kicks. It's just that they were little kids at the time. Once you master the easy kicks, the harder ones will seem easier.

 

[Muffo]

As a relative newie to the game (esp. playing), I was wondering if anyone out there could help:

I missed 75% of last year due to rupturing the tendons in my left middle finger (dominant hand) when taking a mark. Now admittedly, the injury wasn't that bad but I componded the problem due to playing on for 3/4 weeks.

So I come back to pre-season training this year pumped and ready for action. All is well. However, in the 3rd training session, I shatter the middle (PIP) joint in exactly the same finger, again trying to take a mark.

Guys at work reckon it will be at least 8 weeks before I can play footy again, and they think I should pack in the game, as (being a potential future physio), I cant risk any further hand damage.

However, I think thats crap because 1) no-one at work understands what Australian Football is, and 2) I also love playing the game (even if I am the worst player of all time)

Basically, I reckon there must be an fundamental flaw in my catching technique, probably down to a combination of only playing soccer as a kid, and general athletic crapness.

I've seen some catching aids on t'internet, but before shelling out some cash I was wondering if:

1) Any uses a catching aid, and if so - are they any good.
2) Any insights into how footy players are taught to catch
3) Has anyone else suffered a similair injury and how long did it take to recover

Sorry for the long post, but I'd really appreciate any help!

(Wasn't sure what board to put this in - sorry)

Not having a crack, but its 'marking', not catching.

You started off saying mark, then went to catch...!

 

[Locky]

When being tackled, scream in pain like a girl until your opponent turns away in disgust. Then it's time to kick him in the back!!!!

This technique earns respect from blokes and phone numbers from chicks

Change scream in pain to scream "Im a Hemophiliac" and you've got yourself a pickup line

 

[pomcrow]

Thanks for tips fellas!

Physio reckons its another 6-8 weeks before I can play again.

Coach at the club always encourages us to take grabs in front as much as poss, so I'll continue to try to do that. However in future the finger will be splinted, strapped and gloved Secretly Im glad its a tough skill and Im not on my own though!

As with most of my skills at the moment (keep kicking bleedin mongrels instead of drop punts as well ) it will just require lots of practice and patience.

Hopefully my catc....marking will improve, and I dont catch aids in the meantime!