KICKING!!!

[Anonymous]

Lets be serious: Saturday night was Noddy's worst kicking game this year in my opinion. He can find the gaps between the backs sweet... but whats the point if the ball isn't going 20 metres behind them? Its not that they're dropping back for it either, he's just not getting any depth.

He really needs to work on getting a killer long boot on him. You can even see it off the kickoffs - where plenty of others get the ball close to the deadball line, he often struggles to make the tryline.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

chicken or the egg syndrome.
I think the defense issue is a symptom of the kicking.
Other teams are getting goal line drop outs where we get 20m restarts.
Other teams get down into the pocket, where we get just over the 40m line.
There is no relief.
Sure there are some defensive probs, but there has to be a reason.

 

[Mr Angry]

I take your point BTR. The kicking game is not helping.
The dragons were scoring from 60 metres out.
Kicking is about field position.
Field position, however is pointless if you cannot stop the other team from 60 metres out.

 

[carinashark]

Why not try the short kick off every time ? Form up a dedicated , 3 or 4 players to go at that ball every time and everyone else ready to tackle ! Its intimidating and puts presure on the opposition ball recivers. At worst it would be 4 on 4 going for the ball and if well rehearsed I think would result in a 50/50 chance of getting the ball back. Dont let noddy kick it tho he has to trail looking for an offload. My "hiters" would be Gallen , Bickers, Simmonds , Nuts. Guys that are fast for the 20 meters . Just think what a spectical it would make at every kick off? And it could be kicked anywhere on the feild with us knowing where it would go. Ok Im ready to be blasted on this by any members.
Carinashark

 

[Anonymous]

Short kickoffs...

I don't think every single time would be the way to go, but it might be worth trying it more often. Do it every time and they know what to expect and can plan for it. Of course it has the negative effect of giving away more field position, but that's probably balanced by the positives of the occasional forced dropped ball from the pressure.

Possibly something to think about, but I'd rather the team gets a bit more confidence back in themselves before we go trying anything overly fancy.

 

[newman]

Ive often thought about different options from the kickoff, and its an area that is neglected by almost all sides. Everyone goes for the same thing, a deep, safe kick to the corner.

If you look at the defensive set up of most teams on the kick off there is a HUGE hole between the 35m mark and the 15. Put a wonky ball in there with a speedster expecting it.... Anything can happen...... Or, rehearse the whole team so they are hitting the half way point at a full sprint. A ginourmous charge. As long as they stay on side, the pressure on the guy catching the ball would be HUGE. If you get the ball back off the kick off, you are in great field position, I think its worth the risk at least a coupla times in the game.

Keep em guessing I reckon.

 

[Jimbo]

rehearse the whole team so they are hitting the half way point at a full sprint. A ginourmous charge.

Like the Roosters do?

 

[newman]

They do that?

 

[Macca]

#-o Along with about 10 other teams.

 

[TrainWreck]

rehearse the whole team so they are hitting the half way point at a full sprint. A ginourmous charge.

Like the Roosters do?

As I watched the Roosters v Dragons game a couple of weeks ago the way the roosters chased off kickoffs was noticeable. They are well behind their own 10 metre line when the kicker lines it up. They are at a million mph as the ball gets hit. They do get a bit close to offside but probably 99% of the time they will get away with it and it loks like a good way to do it.

If I was the Sharks I'd steer well away from short kickoffs as in nearly all the games so far the other side is easily getting 10 metres per hitup or play. If we give it to them on their 40 I don't reckon we have the defence right now to cope. 5 tackles x 10 metres and they are on our line just about and get to make an attacking kick or count the numbers and spin it.