Backing into packs

[Scoop]

Let's not lose the plot here.

Tommy Long had a freak accident that is a horrible, horrible thing to happen but this is only 1 of 3 such injury I have ever heard of in 20 odd years of watching football. Think maybe Sammy Newman lost a kidney, Matty Campbell maybe, that's all I know of.

Backing into apcs is a horrible fact of football, sometimes you have to do it. Better off not thinking about it just going. Most fearless footballer don't even know what they are doing it's just a reaction. I feel for Tommy and his was a act of bravery but it is a freak injury.

You will never ever stop these type of injury.

 

[Dean3]

You will never ever stop these type of injury.

Maybe not, but we can stop calling blokes soft for not exposing themselves to the possibility.

 

[Curtiger]

I understand that some people think that the risk outweighs the gain when it comes to backing into a pack. I'm of the belief that that is the case most of the time you're anywhere near a contested ball. Freak accidents are just as likely at ground level or in ruck taps as they are when it comes to backing into packs.

One should never necessarily throw their body into jeopardy for the sake of a slight team benefit. It is always up to the player. A player (at any level) may choose to either stay safe and make position elsewhere, or plunge into a pack for the sake of the winning the ball for the team. Both decisions are of course beneficial, as you can't have 18 players pouncing on the loose ball at the same time and have nobody making a position to receive, or vice versa. But the risk is greater for the suicide-diver. The teammates and the crowd luuuurve self-sacrifice - because they benefit from it in most cases.

Now, there are some players who are good at putting their bodies on the line, and others that hate contact and don't cope too well. The one's who're hard men are those who run back so hard, the pack coming the other way ought to be afraid. These people also tend to avoid injury in these cases due to their hardness. Johnathon Brown gets away with taking contested chestmarks because he is such a player. But of course there are some players who aren't built for certain types of risks and haven't the right mentality. For example, players who are told that they're soft may feign courage if the 'running back with the flight' situation arises, in an attempt to prove themselves. These players are the ones who commit, then, come crunch-time, go limp and duck their head. These players will incur injuries for being told or pressured to play a game totally unnatural to them.

At upper, senior levels, teams should avoid having the players that 'go limp'. There is greater control of that sort of thing and participation isn't the emphasis. But at junior, regional levels, you can try to train abilities and virtues into players, but you shouldn't pressure them to do something that they don't want to do (like throwing themselves on the loose ball). It is the coaches duty to make the most of their team list and do his/her best to improve them, then mould a team plan from the players they have, not mould a player to fit a team plan. Participation and fun come first.

 

[RemoteTiger]

Well articulated Curtis......agree entirely

 

[FightingFury]

The whole fabric of the 'team' aspect is torn apart if someone wont lay their body on the line for the side.
Courageous acts on the field have lifted sides to amazing feats and have become memorable for those that played and guys who regularly do it are esteemed at their respective clubs.
It gets down to the footballers instinct as well,if the ball has to be won,you have to commit to it.
You can't teach players not to commit or play hard or you will have neglected to show them the way Australian Rules Football should be played.
If a boy at junior level is a bit timid then fine.........he most probably won't be comfortable on a footy field and will happily walk away from the sport before he is an adult.
The injuries in the game are unfortunate,and no one wants to see a young athlete suffer badly,but most team sports have risks involved,just as living day to day has too,but you wouldn't stop driving due to your neighbour getting injured in a car smash either.
Our game is unique and one of the great parts of the game that makes it both unique and great is the contest and those whose courage stands tall in it.

 

[Tubytiger]

Gee, i might get hanged for my opinion but its pretty simple but very gutsy imo - if your in a situation, especially in senior football, any senior footy and the ball is in dispute you have to go. I understand the horrible injury to the guy but that is all part of playing contact sports. I have watched both Kelloways - both brothers have done it time and time again and thank god neither have had such injuries but imo if the ball is there you have to take what comes.

Agree with Struggles - if you have got guys in your team that wont put their body on the line than it really tears at the team as a whole.