Comets News
Round 9 - Coach Report
16th May, 2007
ROUND 9 VERSUS YOUNG GUNS (52 / 20)
With a score line such as this you would think the coaching staff would be at a loss in terms of what to take out of this fixture leading into our home game next week against Redcliffe? Surprisingly we led for the majority of the first half but once again fundamentals at crucial periods of the game let us down.
Over the past 2 fixtures have resulted in a completion rate of 50% which at any senior level of football is poor? On top of that we seem to make critical areas (under pressure) in our own half which puts immense pressure on your defensive line both physically and psychologically. Our defensive line and its integrity are suffering from week to week primarily due to our poor handling - once again I find myself talking to senior 1st grade footballers about generic skills? We have to improve in all areas of the fundamentals - there is no magic remedy just repetition and routine in all fundamentals - these unfortunately are areas that can not be fixed over night and I find it amazing that the bulk of our training patterns are dealing with the very basics of our game?
Another statistic that would be obvious to all is the defense record - last week we were 70% effective as a team unit? Your target for any team defensive effort is generally around 90% (note: this is based on our system of analysis). This does not include the one on one tackles we missed but merely is a measure of our system and its effectiveness across the line. For example we had 16 failures at marker which is poor and cost the team effective 18 points (3 converted tries)? These errors were as a result of poor attention and the ability to work for 2nd efforts out of the marker play? If I think back to the many hours of fundamental coaching points we have addressed over the past 6 months (including our work out of marker area) I am at a loss as to why these areas are sadly lacking in our game?
The content of this report once again demonstrates the importance of fundamental coaching at all levels but more importantly at junior levels - these areas I have referenced should already be in the players kit bag at this level but unfortunately good habits take many hours of constant coaching and remedial practices and must remain a constant in all coaching environments irrespective of what level the player is competing at. Additionally skills performed under pressure must be a focus in all sessions - this is a major area where the Comets are letting themselves down in. Their application and effort has always been there, but attention to detail and discipline is still a long way off.
Once again the youth of our side carried us through the match with very good performance from Yoren Major, Brendon Gibb and James Munns. In the forwards Pete Penaia (28 efforts) and Luke Fatnowna (41 efforts) had strong games while Nat Bowman as usual tried all night.
This week we started with all contracted players returning to their local clubs with coaching and management staff attending also. I went to Yeppoon this week and was pleasantly surprised to find a very energetic and motivating environment - full marks to Walson and his workers. It was also good to see the Comets boys working in with the local player which was a first for a lot of the players. This program will continue every month. Also starting next week is an invitation to clubs (every month) to train with the Comets which will commence next Tuesday evening with the Rockhampton Brothers club attending our session at Browne Park.
ANDO