Why Can't Sam Complete his Marks?

[Nascent 9,345]

He should have stuck 1 or 2 but if he ended up clunking all of those contested pack marks on the weekend he'd be the second coming of Carey. 

[Young Blood 2,642]

Simply confidence and concentration. He does everything else right. His strength and positioning are great now.

I'm expecting them to start sticking the next few games. Thought Friday was a step in the right direction.

He's putting himself in a position to succeed with marking.

He just has to grab the opportunity with both hands....

Edited June 1, 2021 by Yung Blood

[jnrmac 20,375]

Darren Bennet was similar Had ramrod straight arms with no 'give' Dropped a lot of sitters.

Sam has never been a one-grabber 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 17,137]

2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I'd say it's mostly confidence. He's still rarely had a consistent run of AFL footy.

 

2 hours ago, mfcrox said:

The hands will come with more consistent game time and some confidence.  

 

2 hours ago, BigFez said:

Not sure, confidence maybe?  Hopefully?  

 

2 hours ago, Canplay said:

I never want to question any AFL footballers courage -   but I think he gets too far under ball as he fears contact of the pack behind him -  needs to stay in best position to mark no matter what's around him -  and sometimes that's not about courage but just comes when you're full of confidence and playing on instict. 

 

2 hours ago, Knuckles said:

So in short my theory is it is all confidence/self belief, combined with a bit of structural tinkering to separate our key forwards in marking contests. 

 

 

2 hours ago, Marty said:

It would be more concerning if he was getting outmarked by his opponent. I’m sure it’s confidence.

 

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Confidence more then anything.

 

1 hour ago, kallangurdemon said:

So it probably just comes down to confidence in a similar way that Tmac needs a basket when his confidence is down but clunks them when it is up.

 

1 hour ago, kev martin said:

A bit about technique but also, alot about confidence. A little anxiety exacerbates his, not quite right technique.

 

1 hour ago, Yung Blood said:

Simply confidence and concentration. He does everything else right.

10 posts all saying it's got something to do with "confidence". That's really a metaphysical concept, rather than a practical problem. What does this actually mean? His lack of confidence makes him timid? His timing is off? His hands are too hard? He's too upright? or not upright enough?

I'm not criticising the suggestion that it's his confidence. But if that's the problem how do coaches fix such an ethereal problem?  

Edited June 1, 2021 by La Dee-vina Comedia

[Kent 2,920]

41 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but his two marks and goals on the weekend came when McDonald was off the ground after a marking contest collision.

 

Is that right I will check the replay 

Could be something?

[DeeSpencer 26,677]

5 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 posts all saying it's got something to do with "confidence". That's really a metaphysical concept, rather than a practical prolem. What does this actually mean? His lack of confidence makes him timid? His timing is off? His hands are too hard? He's too upright? or not upright enough?

I'm not criticising the suggestion that it's his confidence. But if that's the problem how do coaches fix such an ethereal problem?  

1. Experience. The more he does it the less pressure there is. The 3rd quarter should help 

2. sports psychology 

3. Reinforce the positives, improve the deficiencies with all the technical aspects: Timing his run and leap, identifying the drop of the ball, emphasising the times he used his body well. 

[siam juntaRus 92]

He has the perfect build for a professional tennis player. He looks fragile out there on an AFL ground.

[Lord Nev 13,512]

1 hour ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but his two marks and goals on the weekend came when McDonald was off the ground after a marking contest collision.

TMac was on the ground for both of them.

First mark was after a good leading pattern and got himself open, second was a genuine one on one. That's what will build his confidence to take more of the pack marks IMO. Get him some decent looks, not every opportunity has to be in a contested numbers situation.

Adding pics for reference:

Edited June 1, 2021 by Lord Nev

[Sydee 4,684]

Has a few issues sticking a tackle too 

He is very easily pushed off position - if anyone interferes with his run and leap he struggles big time 

I'm no coach so will leave it totally up to them to try and help him but if it was up to me I'd be kicking footballs to him with either May or Lever opposed and see if he can beat them - when/if he starts to win say 20% with marks he's probably ready - until then he has a lot of work to do.  

[Garbo 1,567]

He just needs to work harder, doesn’t get himself to enough contests, doesn't make repeat leads and loose his opponents. Nearly every dropped mark is in a pack, even for the best that is a low percentage mark. Out on the lead his marking is good as any.

Edited June 1, 2021 by Garbo

[Deemania since 56 6,808]

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Easy.. he's too far forward in the marking competition that doesn't allow him to protect the space or to get the crucial second grab

How to fix it... no idea

That is most probably what is wrong with his grab. Too far forward in the competition and too early to occupy a space in the forming pack. He needs to consider entering the pack on top - he has the height and leap - but to come in from either side of the pack relatively late, at the front - he has a light frame to assist with the elevation required. Then he would be less likely more often to be brushed, pushed, bodied aside or into 'useless land' where the mark just ain't. He would also be less likely the suffer so many blatant 'arm chops' from opposition defenders. He would also be less likely to be injured as this is a key fear his body language portrays.

If he was built like Greg Parke, none of the above would matter. But he ain't.

 

Edited June 1, 2021 by Deemania since 56

[Fork 'em 7,052]

9 minutes ago, Sydee said:

 I'm no coach so will leave it totally up to them to try and help him but if it was up to me I'd be kicking footballs to him with either May or Lever opposed and see if he can beat them - when/if he starts to win say 20% with marks he's probably ready - until then he has a lot of work to do.  

Seeing Weids a forward and May and Lever are backs they'd be getting plenty of footballs kicked to them at training.

Edited June 1, 2021 by Fork 'em

[Diamond_Jim 12,773]

3 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

That is most probably what is wrong with his grab. Too far forward in the competition and too early to occupy a space in the forming pack. He needs to consider entering the pack on top - he has the height and leap - but to come in from either side of the pack relatively late, at the front - he has a light frame to assist with the elevation required. Then he would be less likely more often to be brushed, pushed, bodied aside or into 'useless land' where the mark just ain't. He would also be less likely the suffer so many blatant 'arm chops' from opposition defenders. He would also be less likely to be injured as this is a key fear his body language portrays.

If he was built like Greg Parke, none of the above would matter. But he ain't.

 

another poster suggested that he work on coming in sideways to avaoid being oushed under the ball so often. Has some merit.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 17,137]

4 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

 

If he was built like Greg Parke, none of the above would matter. But he ain't.

 

Thankfully he kicks much better than Greg Parke

[PaulRB 6,435]

Maybe Sam finds it hard to actually practice successful marking when paired up against May or Lever... at training.

 

 

?

[DeeSpencer 26,677]

Forward connection still isn’t our strongpoint. Often the forwards will be sprinting back to goal only for the mids to play on too quickly and kick it before they are ready. 

The forwards leading deep is a key component for opening space for others to lead in and to flood numbers forward too. So it’s not like they are commonly in the wrong (there are times they have to change plans and hit up to space).

I also think we’re a little off the pace with blocking. Port are the competition standard for doing it smartly. Richmond for doing it blatantly! 

There’s work for others to do to help Weid (or any of our tall forwards) as well.

[ProperDee 1,698]

I think it has more to do with a lack of physical strength than anything else. He has had multiple pre seasons to build his upper body but never really has. 

[Fork 'em 7,052]

1 minute ago, ProperDee said:

I think it has more to do with a lack of physical strength than anything else. He has had multiple pre seasons to build his upper body but never really has. 

Was watching Brayshaw and Gawn in one of their podcasts and they made mention that Weid was a beast in the gym.

[Willmoy1947 4,261]

2 hours ago, mfcrox said:

As frustrating as it is, I look at it like this... he is getting to the contest and making a good fist of it.  That is half the battle.  The hands will come with more consistent game time and some confidence.  

He could have kicked 5-6 goals the other night with the contests and positions he was putting himself in, but unfortunately he is just not holding them. 5-6 goals is a solid day out against a solid opponent.  It will come eventually.

Agree with this, and add that the contest, direction is good. I think he is at it too fast. Just take a bit more time and add a bit more timing in the leadup. That first contest on Friday night by example. His timing and speed is a little out. If you are going to be a good high mark, and he should be with his height and build, you need to think about how you are going to pathway yourself to it.

There is always a path.

[DeeSpencer 26,677]

7 minutes ago, ProperDee said:

I think it has more to do with a lack of physical strength than anything else. He has had multiple pre seasons to build his upper body but never really has. 

Tommy Mc - slimmed down
Tex Walker - slimmed down
Buddy, Charlie Dixon - slimmed down 

There’s only one Hawkins and he’s a freakish athlete for his size

Weid’s agility is hurting him at AFL level. Adding additional bulk would doom him.

[deespicable me 1,584]

From my experience watching good teams (not us until this year mostly) you see players develop within the team, because they want to be a part of it and they gain confidence from the other team members in a winning side. Sam is not an Alpha male, which is one of the most common traits of super good forwards, Dixon, Carey and Johnathon Brown for example. Good sides have the luxury of  patience and Sam will come good, I'm pretty sure of it.

The other good thing about good sides is they develop players better. Look at Jordan, ANB in career best (Alpha male), Harmes has never used the ball better (was a turnover merchant), Rivers in career best, Jacko in need of work but given the time to develop on the go. Even Clarry is in career best form.

We trust our coaching staff and they are building a very impressive strike rate of player improvement across the board. They will be on to Weidemann and it is the one area of the ground that if we improve even further should take us to the holy grail. Weid is a tough one coz he's not a natural, he's not even a man yet, but I trust our staff to do the job.

 

[Smokey 4,391]

45 minutes ago, ProperDee said:

I think it has more to do with a lack of physical strength than anything else. He has had multiple pre seasons to build his upper body but never really has. 

Post a shirtless selfie so we know that you know what you're talking about 

[old55 23,860]

3 hours ago, ooooooooze said:

just listened to the podcast and the criticism of weid is so disproportionate. he has a presence and crashes packs which allows crumbing goals like the harmes and jordan goals that i don’t think brown can bring. a week ago brown had 4 touches in the vfl without a goal. give him a chance and let him get some continuity and we’ll be rewarded for it

@binman and @george_on_the_outer?

Non-believers ...

[Lord Nev 13,512]

1 hour ago, ProperDee said:

I think it has more to do with a lack of physical strength than anything else. He has had multiple pre seasons to build his upper body but never really has. 

Yeah spot on mate, he must be allergic to the gym hey? ?

[drdrake 3,203]

Was Friday his 3rd game back.  Missing preseason no matter what the injury really effects a players season.  It takes a few games to adjust back to the speed and to get your touch at the speed.  I would play him till the bye, back him in and if not we give B Brown 4-5 weeks.

Also fatigue, our forwards work so hard now up and back, it will take a few games to build his AFL match fitness.  I reckon our forward line will function better with him in it over B Brown