Tuesday morning at Old Saleyards Reserve – what can be expected?
Running mechanics?
Skills?
Another bloody hot day?
If you answered yes to all of the above, you’ve got a fair idea about this morning. What wasn’t listed was a group of footballers in great spirits. But it should have headed the list.
I again heard positive reports about last week’s camp, so it’s likely that their time away and the run into the season opener could be responsible.
As per the regular Tuesday sessions, the squad split into forwards and backs. The big hardworking fellas got first shot at the mechanics and skills, with those pampered backs taking the field second.
Mechanics
Lachlan and Nathan took the squad through a session that focussed on lateral movement and explosiveness.
Gutho shows his form over the smaller hurdles.
I’ve previously detailed the use of hurdles and weighted balls. With the increase in player mastery, some of these drills are now combining into sequenced activities. From my perspective, I can see improvement in coordination and strength amongst the squad.
The player proficiency in transitioning through the drills, as reported on yesterday, was again in evidence. It’s an ever developing platform from which their skills are growing.
Skills – Forwards
Joey Grima took the players through a sequence of ball skills specific to their roles as forwards. Firstly in a grid, and then in the attacking zone, the group honed their passing and carries.
The players were passing off both sides (you’d be surprised at how many NRL players have difficulty passing off a particular side eg left to right) and then linking with a support.
Strike pads were introduced as they practised ball security under pressure and contact. Body position, hip position and arm positioning were all critical and additional coaching was provided for specific players with particular drills. Finally, the forwards rehearsed basic shapes off the ruck in the attacking zone.
This was a sharp 25 to 30 minutes session. The players placed a high standard on themselves, and I noted few errors – and that was only because the yell of disappointment drew my attention.
Skills – Backs
Joey again took the session and, although it was also passing skills, it was different to forwards. After a brief period working both sides in a grid, the group transitioned into a drill practising longer passes from the left and from the right. Incorporated into this was dummy half passing – a skill not normally associated with backs but certainly needed at particular times in the game.
it was fascinating to see Joey pick up minor flaws in passing techniques – everything from body rotation and step to positioning of the feet relative to the ball.
The final drill involved fielding a rolling kick and positioning themselves as support in a kick return. As extras, a number of the players worked on their short kicking game. Although such kicking did not take place under pressure, some of the players were delivering kicks that were so accurate as to be akin to a legal forward pass.
The forecast for the rest of the week is for much cooler conditions.
Thank ****!
Bring on Thursday….
Eels forever!
Sixties
I love being first to post a comment.
I bet this will be a great report, thanks Sixties. I’ll confirm that after I return to the top and read it!
Told’ya so, excellent report! thanks Sixties.
The work Joey Grima puts into these skills drills has always fascinated me in the past when I’ve been able to watch them in person at Saleyards. The tight, short passing between forwards around the goal posts and the close proximity of each of the players to one-another really mirrors the game day experience.
I had always wondered over the many years I’ve attended training sessions, why 1st grade level coaches seemed to do so little actual coaching. It was also apparent in the performance of certain, if not many players that they would do the same silly thing or not do the positive things that the better players were alert to. It often appeared to be just plain ignorance from the players or lack of coaching to correct the error.
That doesn’t appear to be the case at Parramatta under BA and his staff. Go Parra!
Great to have you top the comments list mate. As I heard BA say one day, and I’ll paraphrase – you need to get the essential skills right to master the challenging stuff.
Awesome mate!
👍
You can see why the preseason is so important with skills being such a big focus. I imagine in the true season, the focus shifts to strategy for the next game.
Thanks for your continued dedication and keeping us informed.
Thanks mate. Yes, the match preparation takes a larger focus, which is why I report so little on training through the season – it’s difficult to write up without giving away info.
Very interesting read sixties; how is Jenko going in pre-season ? as i think he is someone who would benefit from hayne being in the squad; so it adds more options for the halves.
A couple of weeks back, Jenko really exploded into the opposed sessions, busting into open space a few times. He was one of the late returns to training, but he seems to be catching up nicely. Let’s look to a continuation of his good form from last year.
Good read sixties as normal.
You must of thought they were training in the winter. You miss the heat admit it ….lol.
What are you getting with the wingers ? From all reports George Jennings n Hayne n karisome n hoffman are training in semi’s spot.
Sorry to bug you but how’s my man crush going (stone)
#Eels4life#
Not on Tuesday I didn’t!
Don’t know who told you that Hayne was training on the wing. I haven’t seen it.
I think, given Gutho is unlikely for round 1, that Hoff and Auva’a will play wings. Jennings has trained well too and is in superb condition.
I reading somewhere that brad was saying Hayne , George Jennings , Hoffman n karisome were training there.
I’ve seen Hayne slot into the halves, fullback and primarily centre. The four wingers over the last few opposed sessions have primarily been Hoff, Auva’a, George J and GL.