More to Teamwork than Handball.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

It was good to see both Leo and Tadgh running out of defence again, man they give enomous drive. I hope we don't have to use Leo in a key position or the rest of the season. (Find someone else for Gehrig).

One thind did worry me was that no-one seemed will ing to protect the ball carrier with a shepherd, and in some cases it resulted in hurried disposals that were picked off.
Teammates seem so focussed in getting into a position to receive a handball.

Leo's run in the 3rd quarter was a case in point, Ben Matthews was not in a position to take a handball but was in a great one to block ~ he didn't and the kick went to Grant. Happened to Tadg and Crouchy too.

[dendol]

at times they also tend to handball to players who are flat-footed. This is ok if its a one-two handball sequence, but other times the flat-footed player in under huge pressure and the ball gets coughed up and either a turnover or a ball-up eventuates.

Its very frustrating to watch, but at the same time, the buzz around the ground is generated when we rebound out of our defense with our risky handball chains.

[TheHood]

I thought our shepherding from the experienced blokes was non existent sadly. McVeigh puts more of an effort in here than his more seasoned colleagues!

The backline was like a well oiled machine again on Sat night. They were pretty to watch, unlike their well heralded mates up forward!

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Originally posted by dendol
at times they also tend to handball to players who are flat-footed. This is ok if its a one-two handball sequence, but other times the flat-footed player in under huge pressure and the ball gets coughed up and either a turnover or a ball-up eventuates.

Agreed, it seems as if the team ethic is drifting, from running past the man with the ball and demanding it, to having the ball carriers first impulse to be looking for someone to hand it off too (and as you say occasionaly picking someone who'se flat footed).

Is it a shortage of confidence issue or are we too focussed on sharing the ball?
Certainly I don't believe it to be a stat building exercise.

[dendol]

Originally posted by Ruckman
Agreed, it seems as if the team ethic is drifting, from running past the man with the ball and demanding it, to having the ball carriers first impulse to be looking for someone to hand it off too (and as you say occasionaly picking someone who'se flat footed).

Is it a shortage of confidence issue or are we too focussed on sharing the ball?
Certainly I don't believe it to be a stat building exercise.

I think its a case of trying to work the ball into a position where you have someone busting out of the congestion so that he has an unpressured kick. Sometimes is works and is pretty to watch, until that player muffs up delivery into the forward line!