I've been banging on this for a while now, but Melbourne continually put themselves under unnecessary pressure when they take marks / receive free kicks by making the same mistakes over and over again.

When Melbourne players take a mark (and there isn't an option to play-on) they often do one of three things:

1) They turn around (facing the backline), slowly jog and then turn back around (to face the forward line). This whole process takes up to three or four seconds which is far too slow, by which time the opposition is able to get back.

2) They immediately run off their line (without even looking straight ahead) which not only means they are now kicking under pressure, they now are running to the side and they can't even see what is down the line or off to the other side. This means they have reduced their options to kick to by 2/3. Not only that, they have eliminated the best option which is to kick straight down the line!

3) They turn around straight away but don't get back far enough behind the man on the mark and either kick into that player or are forced to kick the ball high in the air to clear him.

What they need to do is immediately turn around to face the forward line, meaning they can see all options in all areas in front of them, including the best option down the line. The exception to this if a player who is running by can receive a handpass but both players need to be smart enough to know if he is or isn't clear.

At the same time the player needs to sprint backwards (not walk, jog or run but sprint). This means there is now zero chance of the man on the mark coming into play as the Melbourne player is back far enough clear of him. Funnily enough, this also means the opposition don't have time to get back, as the Melbourne player with the ball can move the ball on quickly as he has moved quickly to be in a position the kick the ball without pressure.

Crazy isn't it?

NB: This thread was resurrected from 2013.

Edited August 8, 20168 yr by Rogue
Edited for clarity

As I read this, I heard 'Trengove kicks into the man on the mark'.

Apt.

No he kicked it to the man on the mark. A feeble effort from the Captain of the MFC. New coach, new captain, new players, bring on 2014!

Pedersen kicks into the man on the mark after taking a mark.

Grimes kicks into the man on the mark which results in a GWS goal.

Turns a free kick into a kick under pressure.

And my pet hate, passing the ball so damm high waiting for the opposition to run on to it and spoil it instead of getting the player to run onto it, drives me mad.

Who is Mark Basics? And should we draft him next year??

As I read this, I heard 'Trengove kicks into the man on the mark'.

Apt.

As I read this, I heard 'Trengove kicks into the man on the mark'.

Apt.

never an excuse for this really...its just plain DUMB

Grimes kicks into the man on the mark which results in a GWS goal.

Turns a free kick into a kick under pressure.

again DUMB

Top observation Mr Bizkit.

A very specific problem that needs to be ironed out. Disproportionate impact compared to the relatively small amount of regular work needed to build a better habit

Two classic examples from the Adelaide game:

1) Trengove has a free kick after Adelaide kick it out-on-the-full. Trengove doesn't get back behind the mark far enough and turns a free kick into a pressured kick, as a result he is forced to kick it high in the air and the ball is turned over.

2) Dunn has the ball at fullback, after taking a mark he drifts to his left (instead of going straight back on the line) which means it is now play-on and he is forced to kick on his left foot resulting in a turnover.

These are what kill me becuase Melbourne players turn free kicks into pressured kicks!

By simply getting back behind the mark quickly, sufficiently and without playing-on Melbourne players can avoid these situations so easily.

Two classic examples from the Adelaide game:

1) Trengove has a free kick after Adelaide kick it out-on-the-full. Trengove doesn't get back behind the mark far enough and turns a free kick into a pressured kick, as a result he is forced to kick it high in the air and the ball is turned over.

2) Dunn has the ball at fullback, after taking a mark he drifts to his left (instead of going straight back on the line) which means it is now play-on and he is forced to kick on his left foot resulting in a turnover.

These are what kill me becuase Melbourne players turn free kicks into pressured kicks!

By simply getting back behind the mark quickly, sufficiently and without playing-on Melbourne players can avoid these situations so easily.

Sometimes there is more to it than the distance back the players run (e.g. Dunn's instinct is to kick long and his kicking style results in all his kicks being up and under).

But your point is definitely a valid one, and is contributing to far too many mistakes.

One of about 100 things the new coach needs to work on.

Someone needs to teach Grimes ad Trengove how to play football.

.........and they are our captains, heaven help us.

We're just a [censored] football team with bugger all brains... Nothing will change until all the junk is removed!

Someone needs to teach Grimes ad Trengove how to play football.

.........and they are our captains, heaven help us.

Trenners was good today. Get off his case. Becoming very underrated around these parts. Grimes isn't AFL standard though.

Again, today Melbourne players were far too slow to get behind the mark and turaround to look down the ground.

Too often their first option was to look sidesways without having looked forward at all.

Again, today Melbourne players were far too slow to get behind the mark and turaround to look down the ground.

Too often their first option was to look sidesways without having looked forward at all.

Gee, Clint are you suggesting that you know more than Roosy? I'm sure he would spot this 'problem' if it was really there.

I dont like how when we get a free kick forward of centre, we always go backwards, never just pump it to the hotspot. It's really weird

A different kind of mark basic is putting your hands out or up and not waiting for it to hit you on the chest. We were spoiled so many times waiting for the ball today.

A different kind of mark basic is putting your hands out or up and not waiting for it to hit you on the chest. We were spoiled so many times waiting for the ball today.

I thought that was what the thread was about. Yes it was poor today and Frawley was the biggest offender, he did it a few times and should know better. Dawes does it too much and Salem got caught out today but he is just learning the caper.

For senior players in the leadership group it is unforgivable.

Edited June 9, 201411 yr by rjay

Watts. Gets the ball. Wanders back 3 steps. Moves two steps to the side. Is called to play on. Now starts looking for targets. So annoying.

1. Lead

2. Mark

3. Play on straight away OR two or three steps off the mark, then spin quickly

4. Push back further off the mark

5. Move in the direction you will kick

Gee, Clint are you suggesting that you know more than Roosy? I'm sure he would spot this 'problem' if it was really there.

What an idiotic comment.

Watts. Gets the ball. Wanders back 3 steps. Moves two steps to the side. Is called to play on. Now starts looking for targets. So annoying.

1. Lead

2. Mark

3. Play on straight away OR two or three steps off the mark, then spin quickly

4. Push back further off the mark

5. Move in the direction you will kick

I agree, however with point 3 it should be spin around quickly and then run back (backwards).

Agree with you 100% Clint. Surely they can run backwards for 5 steps or so, so they can actually look across a 180 degree sweep to make a decision QUICKLY. Having said that, I reckon this slowing down is a team rule - they have done it ad nauseum this year in almost every game. The frustrating thing as a spectator is there are clear and excellent leads being ignored or not seen.

Matt Jones is one of the biggest offenders, IMO. What he'll do though is run back quite quickly, but he'll be facing the wrong way. By the time he's turned around, the opposition have set up. It's dumb football and it's really something that is drilled into footballers from a very early age. Never run with your back to the play.