Latest AFL Moves

Didn't make the finals? Hardwick talks tips on how to still finish a winner.

If you are in the position where finals are out of reach it is still important to finish off the season in the right way. Many competitions have a relegation and promotion system that keeps the final weeks of the season interesting. If you have had a lean year there is still a chance to knock over teams above you and finish the year on a high.

If you find yourself limping to the line think about the following ways to stay focused.

• If you have set goals for yourself and the team around performance then you still have a chance to reach those goals. The real test of your commitment to your performance based goals comes when results don’t matter.
• If you have maintained high standards of commitment during the year then keep it up. If you have been inconsistent try and use the remaining weeks to gain some momentum for the pre-season.
• While things are fresh in your mind make a list of things you would do differently if you could start the year again. Use this list to plan for next season and set new goals.
• Football seasons can be long and demanding. Remember the little victories you had along the way and be proud of the good things you achieved as a team.
• Families, jobs, travel, transfers and retirements will all impact on your player list for next season. Enjoy the final weeks of the season with your teammates as it may be the last games you play together.

Mark Harvey on Dealing with injury

• Follow the well-known rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE) principles immediately. And do your best to avoid alcohol in the early stages.
• Have your injury assessed as quickly as you can. Early diagnosis leads to getting the right treatment early on and may improve recovery times.
• Be proactive, ask questions and get involved in your rehabilitation. It may help the mental recovery as much as the physical recovery.
• Once you have established your treatment and rehabilitation protocol then notify your coach and fitness advisor at the club. It is important that you are monitored and stick to your program.
• Set a timeline and review progress regularly. Set goals that must be reached before the next step is taken. Make sure these goals are clear (i.e. you must complete two full training sessions before you can play) and not compromised by the state of the ladder.
• To play when you are not right affects the team on the day and keeps a fit player out of the side. Make the right decision when the time comes.

Paul Roos on dealing with kicking yips

• Get back to the basics. Practice working on the fundamentals: steadily build momentum; low and controlled ball release; firm foot and ankle on impact; follow through.
• Change the size and shape of the ball. Kick-to-kick with a child size footy, soccer ball, or tennis ball will focus your concentration on executing the kick in a different way.
• Change the context. Use cones set up in the centre of the ground for goal kicking practice rather than the goal posts. Or grab a team-mate for kick-to-kick but go through your goal kicking routine with each kick.
• Use technology. Have a friend or team-mate film you kicking, from side on and from in front. Watch the footage and diagnose what you see, then make the adjustments.
• Practice, practice, practice. In as many varied and interesting ways as you can. Do some extra work before and after training. The more kicking you do the more natural it will feel, and the more relaxed you will become.

Michael Voss on overcoming a form slump

• People look for leadership in times of crisis. Be a leader. Don't wait for someone else to do something, take responsibility and lead the way
• Recommit to your team goals and values and work to get your team-mates to do the same
• Hold a meeting with the playing group, even bring an external facilitator, to provide a platform for people to speak up, be involved, and to have input into the direction of their team and club
• Football needs to be fun and losing is not fun. Suggest some fun games for training that will support your coach's training objectives, contain an appropriate physical load but a reduced mental load
• Work with your coaches and team-mates to set new and realistic goals based on where you are and where you can get to from here

Geelong Coach Mark Thompson's tips on managing individuals in a team environment

• Seek input from your players on the characteristics they value in a team-mate, set benchmarks and actively praise and players who embody those values
• Ensure the coaching and your support staff embody those behaviours and set a positive example for the players
• Focus on team objectives and measure team orientated acts such as tackles, blocks, smothers, shepherds etc
• Start a 'Goal Assist' ladder to encourage and reward goals created through teamwork
• Be prepared to discipline, but not shame or embarrass, players unable to 'adhere' to the team first ethos
• Be consistent in your message, deliver it in different ways, highlight the positive results, and check regularly that it is being heard and understood
• Never seek to 'break down' a player with a healthy ego. Instead, challenge yourself to help them see things from their team-mates point of view

Saint's Coach Ross Lyon's Defensive Tactics

• Regardless of whether you play man-on-man or full ground zones it takes total commitment from all players. One weak link and the whole system will break down.
• Quick decision making can help to overcome quick legs. Training the brain to switch into defensive mode can increase the speed in which you can shut down the opposition
• To defend well you need to want to defend well. Make defending a positive endeavour and reward when done well.
• Teach your team to defend. Include defenders in game style drills and run drills focused on team defence. It's not glamorous but it may help win you a game.

Making the most of mid-season breaks and bye weekends?

It's a long season and you are only half way through it. With the weather turning icy, the days getting shorter and games taking a toll on the body and mind, it is important to use breaks and byes to your advantage.

• Keep active. Now the body has been trained to expect intense exercise on Saturdays it's important to keep the routine. Consider lowering the intensity to freshen up, a swim or bike ride might do the trick.
• A mid season break gives you a great chance to refresh mentally. Take it. Get away from thinking about football for a couple of days and you may find a fresh mental approach translates to better football.
• Do something for yourself that you normally couldn't do due to football commitments. Play a round of golf, catch up with friends, paint the house.
• If coming back from injury it might be a good time to ramp up your rehab protocols, or to get the rest you need to shake off any niggles you have been carrying.
• If you have missed games, sat on the bench or are not as fit as you could be take this chance to put in a couple of big fitness sessions leading into the break and on the weekend, then return to normal training loads next week.

Danny Frawley, CEO AFL Coaches' Association

Measuring Performance

Here are some examples of KPIs in each phase that will allow you to set measurable targets.

Ball in dispute

- sacrificial acts, stoppages and clearances, hard ball gets, blocks.

They have it

tackles, tackles to ground, opposition inside 50s, chases from behind.

We have it

- shepherds, run receives, disposal efficiency, inside 50s, handball/kick ratio.

Rodney Eade

Alistair Clarkson's tip of the week:

It was great to get back on the winners list last week. We were able to sustain our pressure for the full game and get the result we were after. Having each of the 22 focused on the same targets and producing an even contribution definitely helped.

While we are feeling better about ourselves this week we don't have any time to relax. It's important that we build on last week's game and we have been reinforcing that to the boys this week on the track. We have only taken a small step, there is plenty of ground to cover before we can get back in the eight.

We have recovered well and have worked to ensure everyone in the team, and the entire club, is focused on doing their job this week. There are no secrets for us, just commitment to the cause and working for each other.

Alistair Clarkson