How Does One Play "Well" in the Wet??

[Schneiderman]

Having seen so many people refer to "good wet weather tactics", but then go on and specify totally different tactics than others, I am wondering what people here actually mean by it.

We all probably agree that its not:
a. Lots of handballs and short chip kicks. Obviously because the chances of a turnover increase dramatically with a slippery ball.

But is it:
b. Long kicks into empty space, and then allow a contest to occur which you hope to win at ground level; or
c. Long kicks to one on one contests. Less chance to mark, but this works both ways. Then try to win it at ground level if the mark is (probably) spilled; or
d. Long kicks to pack situations. Expect a spill and have roving/crumbing players to collect; or
e. Pick it up and RUN with the bloody thing. More slippery under foot, but more chance to break a tackle. Also, the HTB decisions become more favourable with the slippery ball, and dropping it is less of a sin
f. Dont take possession, EVER! Kick it punch it, slap it, force it forward. Turn it into Soccer, and hope you can shoot a few goals.

What do people think? Which tactics do they reckon work? I think e and f are effective, but a lot of people talk about kicking it (even though there is little chance of a mark).

[Sanecow]

What it isn't is kicking madly and blindly forward to areas where the opposition defense has loose men and/or men in front. That drives me nuts.

[Thunder Shaker]

If you score more than the opposition, the tactics don't matter.

If it is very wet, I think Heavy Greasy Ball tactics work best. Imagine the ball is heavy and very slippery. High overhead marks don't work because the ball slips free. Handballs don't work because the ball won't stay put long enough to be handballed. Drop punts are difficult because the ball won't necessarily go straight to the boot. Therefore I would move the ball forward in any manner that does not involve taking possession of the ball. These would be kicks off the ground and punches.

If it is only damp, as I expect the conditions to be on Friday night, a more modest change to the game plan works best. Turnovers are more common due to the slippery ball, so the farther the ball travels before being turned over the better. This can be done through superior wet-weather skills or just bombing it long instead of handballing. I would also limit handballs inside D50 and switching play inside D50.

Of course I know little about such tactics, so for all I know the above may not apply. But I do remember playing games with wet, heavy soccer balls.

[barry]

Good wet weather footy is low possession and direct.

Thats why we arent good in the wet. We have 3 handballs when 1 would do. And we play around the flanks.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by barry
And we play around the flanks.

You should always play around the flanks. You can't just just charge up the middle.

[hammo]

Much of our game relies on creating run out of defence which by necessity requires a lot of handballs to find guys running into space. When it's wet this is high risk and handballs go to ground, turning it over etc.

Swans kicking long and direct usually happens on the end of a run - hence our predicament when its wet.

While we can usually hold our own in a midfield slog, we are prone to being very ineffective with the ball in these situations and struggle to move it inside 50.

That's why I really hope the rain stays away.

[swanzotope]

fairly simple.

1 on 1 if possible, keep your FEET

lets remember they have alot of tall blokes, there gonna find it harder to get low and pick it up on the run then sydney will!.

[Ruda Wakening]

Originally posted by Sanecow
You should always play around the flanks. You can't just just charge up the middle.

LOL

[originalswan]

Schneider that's just the thing the majority of your options involved kicking it long (very important in the wet - Obviously if you have time you look at options but primarily try and take the long one) - A lucky bounce in the forward line and who knows?

Short chipping indirect play was our major downfall against St Kilda in last years final and it seems the same conditions will prevail.

[giant]

Originally posted by Sanecow
You should always play around the flanks. You can't just just charge up the middle.

Actually important to keep to the corridor if you can - shots at goals from angles are even lower % in the wet than they are in the dry.

If it's REALLY wet - I mean New Orleans style postdeluvian - soccer, punch, whatever & be prepared to shoot from a long way out coz it will skid, especially on a surface like the G.

[barry]

Originally posted by giant
Actually important to keep to the corridor if you can - shots at goals from angles are even lower % in the wet than they are in the dry.

I think Sanecow was taking the p1ss out of our game plan with his comment.

[giant]

Originally posted by barry
I think Sanecow was taking the p1ss out of our game plan with his comment.

Great, now I'm getting irony lessons from Barry...how...ironic.

I'm sure yr rite - I was just noting that in fact it would be a good idea if possible.

[NMWBloods]

I thought he was taking the proverbial out of a teenager's game plan...

[barry]

Originally posted by giant
Great, now I'm getting irony lessons from Barry...how...ironic.

I'm sure yr rite - I was just noting that in fact it would be a good idea if possible.

My word. Its a splendid idea. I'm all for it. Lets go!

[Sanecow]

Giant has a point though. Once the track is wet, straight up the middle is the best way to go.