So I've been playing footy for a number of years, and my biggest weakness was reading the play. I don't get many touches in the senoirs side, and I recongised it was because of my lack of footy sense and reading the play. Games like keeping offs, where it touches the ground, turnover. I am the worst at, and rarely get a touch. Because of my weakness. So I was wondering if anyone out there could give me any tips or advice as to where to run, and things like that, thankyou.
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How to read the play better?
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- Apr 1, 2013
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Watch the film first
Gydafud
Premium Platinum
Here is my awful advice from 3 years of junior footy experience.
Run to space when your team has the ball.
Run to the ball (or your man) when the other team does.
Don't chase the ball though.
Run to space when your team has the ball.
Run to the ball (or your man) when the other team does.
Don't chase the ball though.
- May 12, 2015
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Ask to tag one of the opposition's best ball-winners. Footy is about getting to and positively influencing as many contests as possible so being led to the ball is a good start. Fitness is bloody important also.
- May 5, 2016
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I’ve never played Australian rules before despite following it all my life. Played rugby league reasonably seriously and soccer for a laugh (I hate the sport but it keeps me active) and as a slow runner I’ve always had to rely on knowing where to be before the ball gets there.
As mentioned above you have to run to space when your team has the ball, be that a space that is small in general terms but large in relative terms (ie. when there’s a lot of congestion, get to a patch nearby that is at least slightly more open), or alternatively a wide space when the play is a bit more free flowing.
Simplest advice when the other team has the ball? Look at the eyes of the player holding it. It will tell you 99 per cent of the time where it’s going to go.
Other than that you just need to look for little cues like if the ball is spinning a certain way in the air - you can read the bounce.
As mentioned above you have to run to space when your team has the ball, be that a space that is small in general terms but large in relative terms (ie. when there’s a lot of congestion, get to a patch nearby that is at least slightly more open), or alternatively a wide space when the play is a bit more free flowing.
Simplest advice when the other team has the ball? Look at the eyes of the player holding it. It will tell you 99 per cent of the time where it’s going to go.
Other than that you just need to look for little cues like if the ball is spinning a certain way in the air - you can read the bounce.
- Apr 18, 2005
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This. The good players are 2 steps ahead of everyone else and are also very fit. You’ll kill two birds with one stone.
- May 28, 2008
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It comes naturally imo.
Dr Tigris
Brownlow Medallist
Depends what you mean by read the play. If you mean like Dusty/Danger/Judd, then good luck, a lot of AFL players would like to know that.
if you mean to be where the ball is likely to be. That's a matter of thinking what is the player likely to do. First rule is don't chase the ball. Second rule is to work out what the player is likely to do, handball, kick short or long, out to the side or straight. That means watching them to get cues, and to be aware of how the play is occurring. If you can't see the cues or where the other players are, then just get into space as discussed in other posts. And 3rd rule is to understand how the teams play. That's the hardest. Guys like Rance apparently just know (God like in my mind). Anyway, that is about watching the game and analyzing it. You should know your own teams style. You can usually pick up the opposition's style fairly quickly. Adding what the team is trying to do to your decision making is possibly too much. But it might not hurt if you can develop mental short cuts to help your thinking.
good luck
if you mean to be where the ball is likely to be. That's a matter of thinking what is the player likely to do. First rule is don't chase the ball. Second rule is to work out what the player is likely to do, handball, kick short or long, out to the side or straight. That means watching them to get cues, and to be aware of how the play is occurring. If you can't see the cues or where the other players are, then just get into space as discussed in other posts. And 3rd rule is to understand how the teams play. That's the hardest. Guys like Rance apparently just know (God like in my mind). Anyway, that is about watching the game and analyzing it. You should know your own teams style. You can usually pick up the opposition's style fairly quickly. Adding what the team is trying to do to your decision making is possibly too much. But it might not hurt if you can develop mental short cuts to help your thinking.
good luck
- Sep 18, 2014
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Footy is 90% upstairs, if you can get better at reading the play trust me you’ll do a lot better and you’ll also conserve a lot of energy. A lot of blokes spend so much energy chasing the ball while the smart footballers get into position and read the play. If there’s a guy at your club who is a solid ball winner, tag him when doing full ground keeping off drills, also with the handball keeping off game ( I’m assuming it’s something like 4v3 in a small square?), the best way to go about that is keep on the move and first option is best option, also when you handball the ball get in and block the opposition guy.
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In my opinion the ability to 'read' the play depends on what position you're playing.
This doesn't cover all positions but in my opinion its a rule of thumb.
Essentially, most times the ball enters the forward/back line there will be a 'key contest' of sorts. If you'd like to improve on 'reading' the play then concentrate on these contests.
For instance, let's say the ball is entering your backline and you're playing half-back. If you're not able to influence the marking contest but a teammate is, and the player on your team is a genuine chance of winning the contest (which is what you'll have to figure out in the heat of the moment), then once your teammate is in possession of the ball you should run to space in order to influence the transition from defence to offence by creating an extra attacking option in the back half. It gives the illusion that you're a step ahead of the play, or 'reading' it as you say.
This can be difficult to do as it requires you to need to know when move off your opponent and become an attacking option. Because if the turnover doesn't happen, then you need to stay on your opponent in order to minimise their attacking threat. Go too early, and you could leave your opponent free in the forward line, go to late and you miss your chance all together. The best way to practise this in a team sense would be using a drill where it's essentially 'half-court' football and you have to transition between attacking and defending quite quickly. When it's played in one half of the ground you get a better sense as to how teams attack and defend - switching, using the corridor etc. and it gives you a chance to work on running into space once in possession. Knowing how your teammates play also helps.
This doesn't cover all positions but in my opinion its a rule of thumb.
Essentially, most times the ball enters the forward/back line there will be a 'key contest' of sorts. If you'd like to improve on 'reading' the play then concentrate on these contests.
For instance, let's say the ball is entering your backline and you're playing half-back. If you're not able to influence the marking contest but a teammate is, and the player on your team is a genuine chance of winning the contest (which is what you'll have to figure out in the heat of the moment), then once your teammate is in possession of the ball you should run to space in order to influence the transition from defence to offence by creating an extra attacking option in the back half. It gives the illusion that you're a step ahead of the play, or 'reading' it as you say.
This can be difficult to do as it requires you to need to know when move off your opponent and become an attacking option. Because if the turnover doesn't happen, then you need to stay on your opponent in order to minimise their attacking threat. Go too early, and you could leave your opponent free in the forward line, go to late and you miss your chance all together. The best way to practise this in a team sense would be using a drill where it's essentially 'half-court' football and you have to transition between attacking and defending quite quickly. When it's played in one half of the ground you get a better sense as to how teams attack and defend - switching, using the corridor etc. and it gives you a chance to work on running into space once in possession. Knowing how your teammates play also helps.
Hello , ive played league footy and A grade footy and now coach junior squads.
In my opinion, "reading the play" is based a lot around instinct, you either have it or not.
That being said even players who can/do read play well often have slumps particularly when playing in a midfield type roll as you get caught chasing tail going both ways.
I had a similar slump when I was playing and to break it I ended up playing in a back pocket/half back flank . This meant I only had to read the ball/play going one way and if all else fails, stick to your man shut him down and if he is any good he will lead you to the ball.
I spent 6 games in the backline that year then moved back to roving duties and found it really helped.
In my opinion, "reading the play" is based a lot around instinct, you either have it or not.
That being said even players who can/do read play well often have slumps particularly when playing in a midfield type roll as you get caught chasing tail going both ways.
I had a similar slump when I was playing and to break it I ended up playing in a back pocket/half back flank . This meant I only had to read the ball/play going one way and if all else fails, stick to your man shut him down and if he is any good he will lead you to the ball.
I spent 6 games in the backline that year then moved back to roving duties and found it really helped.
Bicko
Team Captain
- Nov 11, 2017
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It is part experience and part instinct. As an on baller resting in the back pocket after helping to get the ball into our attack, I could see the ball was going to be turned over and switched into space. I basically ran the full length of the ground to get to the potential contest and when I got there, there was the ball. It’s true, you either have it or you don’t. If your opponent is better than you, tag him and let him teach you.
- May 5, 2016
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Again soccer not Afl related but the same principle applies - when you play in defence you can take the simplest approach possible: pick a player and do everything in your power to stop them getting the ball. When I started playing that was where I asked to play, knowing that I didn’t have much skill. ‘Give me someone to mark’ and That was that
- Sep 26, 2012
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ask the dude who is captain... then ask the dude who is coach.. and then get out there and choose for yourself who you want in your shell of information'
otherwise just keep your eyes and ears open and wander around the ground and then do this until someone tells you to just 'dump your stuff on the
field and hang out in the left pocket'
just appraising those who gave me a touch up in those early years... just get out there and ask the important people..
otherwise just keep your eyes and ears open and wander around the ground and then do this until someone tells you to just 'dump your stuff on the
field and hang out in the left pocket'
just appraising those who gave me a touch up in those early years... just get out there and ask the important people..
RedVest4
Brownlow Medallist
Just watch Sam Menegola
- Sep 26, 2012
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flying higher than Jesus.. hey...
You sound a lot like me (tho my issues were mostly due to me being a fat campaigner).
Funfact:
I once went touchless for two games and when i broke my draught, i also broke the webbing between my fingers at the same time and had to leave the game to get it stitched. I still carry that scar.
Funfact:
I once went touchless for two games and when i broke my draught, i also broke the webbing between my fingers at the same time and had to leave the game to get it stitched. I still carry that scar.
Ask to play half back flank. I had a year out after injury and other things and when I came back, I couldn't get a stat. Partly due to fitness but mostly due to rust and not having my game sense in tune. I'd never played in the backline in my life but the half back line saved my rapidly sinking confidence. Half back flank you can take a few liberties and stand in space running forward on the rebound, or you can attack a contest head on, or you will be playing on a guy who is drawing the footy, if he is good. You're going to have hot and cold quarters, but you learn quickly where to go generally. You can also run off the back of the square too if the team is going well. Having either a good kick (I didn't really) or pace (I did) will help.
If your a defender, play on a good opponent. He'll take you to the ball. You have to be in the contest before you can win it.
If your forward, lead hard to space when your team is nearing kicking distance from you, demand the ball.
If your a mid, much harder, but youve really just gotta hunt at stoppages, break when your team has the ball, attack the ball hard when its in dispute.
Really hard to do any of this though if you arent fairly fit.
If your forward, lead hard to space when your team is nearing kicking distance from you, demand the ball.
If your a mid, much harder, but youve really just gotta hunt at stoppages, break when your team has the ball, attack the ball hard when its in dispute.
Really hard to do any of this though if you arent fairly fit.
Run to an empty space either ahead of you where your team mate has the vision to see that area where you should get to first against your opponent as you are the attacking option
Or if you see that your team mate down the ground has a bit of an open paddock to run with the ball creat space him and run back where he can kick over the defender that’s manning up on you and all you have to do is use your body to push off him being in the better position.
Always create space.
Or if you see that your team mate down the ground has a bit of an open paddock to run with the ball creat space him and run back where he can kick over the defender that’s manning up on you and all you have to do is use your body to push off him being in the better position.
Always create space.
- Aug 9, 2001
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Maybe your go is to be a tagger. Stick to the job of negating an opposition player. I did a lot of tagging and loved it. I often found I'd pick up quite a few possessions if tagging a midfielder as they'd bring you to the ball. I got in the VAFA record a few times in the best players with single digit possessions.
Get to the games and watch players you feel play similar roles to you. Even if it means you go to neutral games to separate yourself from the emotion. There's a lot of things that I just don't understand, so the best advice I can give is to learn from the best.
- Feb 5, 2018
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I did this back in 2011 because I played back flank. Watched Grant Birchall for a whole game. Incredibly he got the 3 Brownlow votes and I won most improved player that season. Absolutely works.
Also, if you have the confidence, play a step or two in front of your direct opponent (if you are defending), and never stop moving. Move in to the line of the ball between your opponent and the bloke with the footy even if its 100 metres away. Watch the running angles of the bloke with the footy and mirror it so you are always a step ahead.
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