Frees Against: What can we do?

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
We give away a lot of free kicks through untidy tackles - diving into opponents' backs or grabbing them high - plus unnecessary jumper grabbing

How much of that is due to the hard-tackling / high stoppage game plan?

Originally posted by NMWBloods
plus diving onto the ball and not getting it out or being tackled and instead of giving it off, holding onto it.

NOG certainly could improve!

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Sanecow
How much of that is due to the hard-tackling / high stoppage game plan?

Probably a lot.

[laughingnome]

Jolly, as with all ruckmen, will have the stats skewed against him as he is in the position with the most 1 - 1 contests. This is amplified by Sydney's tempo-brand football that sees more stoppages per game. So leave him alone.

I do believe that the Swans can improve their free kick ratio (not to say it is bad, but it can be improved) by copying an idea of John Worsefold's to have umpires present at pre-season practice games and training. The umpires do not coach the players, but do inform them of what is illegal and not. This gives the West Coast bunch an understanding of what will be paid as a free in the year and they get more used to it. Hence when the crunch comes (like, say, a Grand Final) WCE are less likely to make a boo-boo.

Really, I don't know why all clubs don't do this. It's simple genius.

[AnnieH]

What can we do ...???

.... strap on a pair of boots ourselves and try and do better!!

I think not.

Other than that ... not much.

It's really up to the interpretation of the umpire (at the time), and exactly what he saw or did not see.

I recall BBBH getting of a punching charge a few seasons ago, because a) the ump didn't see the hit, and most importantly, b) the cameras didn't see the hit. I most certainly saw the hit (it was just after a goal ... everyone was busy taking 30 seconds to get ready to play again), and he deserved a week on the bench for doing it.

I saw a lot of high(ish) tackles this year, and pushes in the back, made by our players to our opposition that weren't paid by the umpires, just as there were lot of infringements against us that were not paid by the umpires.

That's just footy.

[swantastic]

The umpires are still idiots,there is too much interpretation on the rules.What about when players(monty/not just him) duck there head and the tackler is pinged for too high what a crock of @@@@.Duck your head and suffer the consequences i say.

[Doctor]

The hard tackling style of footy we play will always lead to us giving away more frees I think. Leaving aside issues of umpiring, because mistakes are gonna happen, it's the silly frees that we can tighten up. A free kick for a slight mistiming of a tackle or a technical interpretation of something you can live with but it's the stupid ones that it'd be great to eliminate.

On Hall, he has definitely started to receive free kicks, so progress has been made in that area, but he is definitely still a target in terms of conceding them.

[Lucky Knickers]

I noticed the umps were picking up the palm off to the face this year more often. Baz definitely needs to eliminate that 'cause he's got hurt several times on that one.

I definitely agree with the good Doctor, our high tackling game will always lead to a higher free kick count.

[Agent 86]

Originally posted by laughingnome
Jolly, as with all ruckmen, will have the stats skewed against him as he is in the position with the most 1 - 1 contests. This is amplified by Sydney's tempo-brand football that sees more stoppages per game. So leave him alone.

Jolly gives away too many silly frees. Fullstop.

And far be it from me to tell Baz how to play - but compare his frees for and against (24-35) to, say, ROK (28-13) & maybe suggest a change of style in marking contests. I'd like to see him concentrate more on the ball when it is coming to him (as opposed to when he is leading to it) & less on whoever (yes, all of 'em) is marking him. Too often he is jostling for the more advantageous position & hence cuts down the time he has to complete the mark. He's gotta be the strongest player going around - so use that strength fairly instead of wrestling/pushing or whatever to get the advantage.

As for Leo, IIRC, the first dozen or so games this year were terrible for his frees. I think he has personally made some adjustments in the 2nd half of '06 as it hasn't seemed quite as bad.

[Industrial Fan]

Originally posted by laughingnome
Jolly, as with all ruckmen, will have the stats skewed against him as he is in the position with the most 1 - 1 contests. This is amplified by Sydney's tempo-brand football that sees more stoppages per game. So leave him alone.

If he hadnt knocked up his missus in Dec/January, then none of it would have been a problem!!!

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by Lucky Knickers
I noticed the umps were picking up the palm off to the face this year more often. Baz definitely needs to eliminate that 'cause he's got hurt several times on that one.

But when he does it with a closed fist, they aren't happy with that either!

Did you notice in the QF that there was a free against Kirk on Judd and Kirk indicated that Judd had been holding his jumper? Can you imagine a situation where Judd would be penalised for holding?

[goswannie14]

Three points;

1) Giving away an average of 1 free kick is ok IMO over thet something needs to be done.

2) Be more conscious of the interpretations of the rules.

3) Get Roos to blast the umpiring, pay the $20,000 fine and then get a good run from the umpires after that.

[Agent 86]

Get more pretty boys with underworld connections?

[ScottH]

Tell the players to get hold of the ball more often, not the man.

[Agent 86]

Originally posted by ScottH
Tell the players to get hold of the ball more often, not the man.

Except for NOG.