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Souths tightening their defence
By Nathan Ryan
20 January 2011 03:05PM EST
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SOUTH Sydney skipper Roy Asotasi says the Rabbitohs' main objective this season is to tighten up their defence, after ending last season in ninth place.
“D” being the key word at Rabbitohs training since missing out on a finals berth, Asotasi says that has been the clubs main focus throughout the pre-season.
“It felt at times last year we didn’t work well together too many teams were breaking our line and that’s probably one of the most important aspects of the game,” he told nospam11.com.au.
“As a team we need to work harder and help each other out.”
The Rabbitohs chief missed tacklers last season were Chris Sandow (151), Isaac Luke (97), Sam Burgess (72), Dave Taylor (66) and Ben Lowe (54).
Four of the five players defend in the centre of the field; however three of the five make the list for most tackles made.
The statistics don’t lie - Asotasi believes his side needs to play more as a group opposed to as individuals in order to lower the numbers.
“That’s what Langy (coach John Lang) pointed out that everyone was probably tackling as individuals rather than as a team,” Asotasi explained.
“We had guys shooting out probably not making tackles.
“It’s a good trait of aggression but it obviously hurts the team more if you don’t actually make that tackle.”
Asotasi, who averaged 20.2 tackles a game last season, said the coaching staff has taken the side back to square one, working on fundamentals of defence.
With the club combining game simulation and sand dune work, one aspect the Kiwi says does not need work is the communication.
Asotasi said the key for defending well is talking.
“As professional footballers that should be second nature,” he said.
“We don’t have to work on talk.
“Whether you’re in the middle or out wide you need to relay messages - it’s pretty much like a phone line right across the team, everyone’s connected.
“If there’s somebody who’s not talking there’s a bit of a disconnection there and can really affect the way you defend and attack.”
The main problem for the Bunnies is the players, including Burgess and new buy Greg Inglis, who remain in the rehab ward unable to participate in the game simulations.
“It’s just part of the game, you can’t really tell Johnny Lang to jump in and make up the numbers,” Asotasi laughed.
http://www.nospam11.com.au/articles/2011/01/20/souths-tightening-their-defence/
By Nathan Ryan
20 January 2011 03:05PM EST
Share
Vote on this
SOUTH Sydney skipper Roy Asotasi says the Rabbitohs' main objective this season is to tighten up their defence, after ending last season in ninth place.
-
Roy Asotasi says the Rabbitohs are working on tightening up their defence
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“D” being the key word at Rabbitohs training since missing out on a finals berth, Asotasi says that has been the clubs main focus throughout the pre-season.
“It felt at times last year we didn’t work well together too many teams were breaking our line and that’s probably one of the most important aspects of the game,” he told nospam11.com.au.
“As a team we need to work harder and help each other out.”
The Rabbitohs chief missed tacklers last season were Chris Sandow (151), Isaac Luke (97), Sam Burgess (72), Dave Taylor (66) and Ben Lowe (54).
Four of the five players defend in the centre of the field; however three of the five make the list for most tackles made.
The statistics don’t lie - Asotasi believes his side needs to play more as a group opposed to as individuals in order to lower the numbers.
“That’s what Langy (coach John Lang) pointed out that everyone was probably tackling as individuals rather than as a team,” Asotasi explained.
“We had guys shooting out probably not making tackles.
“It’s a good trait of aggression but it obviously hurts the team more if you don’t actually make that tackle.”
Asotasi, who averaged 20.2 tackles a game last season, said the coaching staff has taken the side back to square one, working on fundamentals of defence.
With the club combining game simulation and sand dune work, one aspect the Kiwi says does not need work is the communication.
Asotasi said the key for defending well is talking.
“As professional footballers that should be second nature,” he said.
“We don’t have to work on talk.
“Whether you’re in the middle or out wide you need to relay messages - it’s pretty much like a phone line right across the team, everyone’s connected.
“If there’s somebody who’s not talking there’s a bit of a disconnection there and can really affect the way you defend and attack.”
The main problem for the Bunnies is the players, including Burgess and new buy Greg Inglis, who remain in the rehab ward unable to participate in the game simulations.
“It’s just part of the game, you can’t really tell Johnny Lang to jump in and make up the numbers,” Asotasi laughed.
http://www.nospam11.com.au/articles/2011/01/20/souths-tightening-their-defence/
