Kicking Guide for Players - video

This is a great video to help develop your kicking skills -

And here is more good stuff -

Framed, signed Carlton jumper

Here is a shot of the beautifully framed and signed Blues jumper that will be for auction at the up-coming club trivia night on 21st July, doesn't it look great?

Team Photos this Sunday

Remember your product!

U11 Hawks show how it's done

Playing what was supposed to be a home game against Upwey/Tecoma at Seville on Sunday the U11's showed everyone present what it means to be a great sports team. Did they play with determination? Absolutely, the second and third efforts made us proud. Did they look to each other? No doubt, with some of the best unselfish plays and team moments I've seen this year. Did they listen to their coach and adapt their play when things weren't going right? Yep, they did all that... and they also did something very special.

U/T arrived at the ground with only 14 players, their U10s couldn't help make up the numbers as they were playing at a different ground. The Hawks agreed to a 16-a-side contest and rotated two of our players to U/T each quarter. The game that followed was amazing, but not for the reasons you might think. Did the Hawks win? They sure did, but that isn't it. Did they show us that they're improving, building their skills, talking to each other? Yep, but that isn't it either. Were they hard at the ball, tackling opponents and getting in front? Too right, but that's not the whole story.

It's not easy to sub-in for the other team, to wear their jumper and pick up a teammate as though they're opposition. A lot of players might react to this by taking it easy, not putting their heart into playing their best in another teams jumper. That certainly wasn't the eight junior Hawks in U/T jumpers on Sunday, they were typically found around the ball, had lots of possessions and didn't take a backwards step. Those eight players and their fellow teammates for supporting them can hold their heads high.

Josh, Thomas and Laura Mac in the 1st Q.
Aussie and Kai L. in the 2nd Q.
Baz and Archer in the 3rd Q.
Haydos and Mitch D. in the 4th Q (Mitch scored a goal!).

Well done U11 Hawks, great sportsmanship on display, very classy stuff.

Correspondents Needed

Do you  -

• Have a spare 10 minutes each week?
• Want to help highlight the great efforts we see each week from our players?
• Spend time on FaceBook or simply enjoy writing about daily goings-on?

We are looking for folks, at least one for each junior team, to become Blog writers (bloggers :-)) posting news, information and feedback on the clubs new internet Blog (monbulkjfc.blogspot.com.au). The time commitment is very small, perhaps as little as 10 minutes a week, but you can take as much time as you like. No technical skills are required, if you can write an email you can be a blogger.

Each blogger will be given exclusive access to the MJFC Blog to post weekly updates on things like team awards, match summaries and news. This will give us a great opportunity to highlight player and team achievements and involve everyone in our club community. So if you think you can contribute one or more short posts a week we'd love to hear from you! Anyone can post comments and feedback and help give our club an active online presence. You know your kids have already done it :-).

Contact Andy Stiff if you would like to be involved.

Welcome Bendigo Bank

Welcome and thanks to Bendigo Bank Monbulk in becoming a sponsor of the MJFC!

“When you choose to bank with Monbulk & District Community Bank Branch you not only make a decision that benefits you, you make one that benefits your whole Community.

You will get a sense of satisfaction knowing your banking is contributing to the Monbulk Community, with profits being channeled back into local projects, groups and organisations. Come and meet the staff at Monbulk who can provide you with information on a great range of competitive products to suit all your banking needs as well as friendly, professional service.”

Join us in welcoming Bendigo Bank Monbulk to the Junior Hawks and support the organisations that support your club.

What is Osgood-Schlatters Disease?

The following article is reproduced from Belgrave JFC website and may be of interest to players and parents -

"Most kids go straight from the car to full kicking to each other with absolutely no stretching or warm up before kicking (training or game situation), or warming down". Does this sound familiar? Perhaps the injury described below does also.

This is a common condition in which a child or adolescent (usually 9-14 years) complains of pain at the front of the knee joint just below the kneecap. It is more common in boys (but does occur in girls at a slightly younger age) and is caused by a ligament pulling repeatedly on a growing bone. It usually only affects one knee but can affect both.

Essentially, the bony protrusion below the knee( called the tibial tuberosity) becomes inflamed. The patella tendon inserts here and through overuse can tug away at the bone causing inflammation. New bone grows back causing a bony lump.

Symptoms

Swelling just below the kneecap Tenderness and pain on the tibial tuberosity during and after exercise. Pain when contracting the quadriceps against resistance. An x-ray may be needed to confirm and to see how much damage has occurred. This disease can occur in one or both knees. Also very common it can be accompanied with Severs Disease which is inflammation of the Achilles Tendon.

Prevention
The only prevention of both these diseases is proper stretching before during and after exercise. Tight quadriceps muscles cause a “tugging” stress on the patella tendon where it inserts into the tibial tuberosity, so doing stretching exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves may help prevent this condition. Stretching and flexibility should focus on the quadriceps and hip flexor muscles and should be done before, during and after each bout of activity. eg: Straight Leg Hamstrings Stretch, Standing, Quadriceps Stretch and Lifting up onto your toes then rolling back onto your heels lifting your toes off the ground.

Also the use of Orthopedic inserts in their shoes and footy boots can help especially if their ankles roll inwards.

Treatment

I.C.E (Ice, Compression, Elevation) and Rest. Sometimes, if severe, needs to be put in a cast so the injured knee is made to rest. Once the pain has completely gone your child can slowly resume activities and work on the leg to regain strength. The pain can recur and if it does the treatment needs to be restarted.

Note : The above article is supplied 'as-is' and treatment options are for your information only. Consult a medical professional if you feel this condition effects you or a player.

AFL Player Visit

On Tuesday May 22nd players from the Hawthorn footy club will visit us for our training session. As such we will move training for U11's and U12's from Wednesday 23rd to the Tuesday and request that all players be at the ground for the start of the session at 4:30pm. Our players should also think about questions they can ask these footy pros to get the most from their time at the club. For example -

• What exercise did you do in Primary school?
• What do you like to eat before a game?
• How much water do you drink during a game?
• What did you like the most about playing junior footy?
• Do you have any tips for playing your favourite position?
• How do you play on someone who is bigger than you?

We'd like to think that each player can contribute at least one question so start thinking about this now!

Signed Jumper for Auction

This official AFL equipment Carlton Blues jumper will be auctioned at an upcoming MFC social night. Signed by Blues captain Chris Judd and coach Brett Ratten and ready for framing it's a great collectable for Blues fans and all lovers of footy in general.

Playing a Position

The U11's has started to introduce players to holding specific positions on the ground. Over the season we will continue to rotate players over the entire ground but players will stay in the same line for up to three games in a row. In this way we hope to introduce the players to the skills and playing style required to play in different positions and give them a chance to reinforce that knowledge. As a quick guide to help everyone better understand the different positions on the ground here is a summary of the positions and our expectations for their role within the team -

Full Back The main aim of the full back is to stop the full-forward from marking the ball and scoring. They are also the instigator into attacking movements from the back up the pitch, getting the ball away as quickly as possible. Defensive kicks, including kick-ins after a point, should be directed to the pockets, away from the oppositions hot-spot. When the opposition has the ball nearby act as a 'goal keeper' (like in soccer) and defend close to the goal line to stop the ball bouncing through or get a hand on kicks that drop short. The Full-Back should not move up the ground at all, try to stay within a quick sprint of the goal-square.
Back Pocket The back pocket is an area on the field deep in the defense, and the players based here are recognised by their hardness, and need to have good spoiling skills. Back pockets support the Full Back in clearing the ball through the pockets, keeping the ball out of the oppositions hot-spot. In contested situations try to work the ball towards the goal arc (50m line in AFL) and the boundaries. Back Pockets should not move up the ground further than the half-back line and ensure they are in a position to quickly support the Full Back should the ball arrive.
Half-Back Line Half-backs come one-on-one against the half forwards and try to keep them out of the game. They also assist the back line in clearing the ball and can be a target to 'switch play' back to the center after clearing through the pocket. Members of the half-back line should not move up the ground further than the center of the ground.
Midfield In the midfield there is the centre and two wingmen. The centre sits behind the ruckman at bounces and looks to get the ball if the opposition ruckman wins the tap. In our team we consider the center to be 'on the ball' rather than part of the mid-field. The two wingmen, who are on the left and right side need to have more stamina, running up and down the flanks and providing 'play switching' options for their team mates. The wingers can move anywhere on the ground up to the forward arc and should try to provide an option in space rather than always contest around the ball. When the team is defending then the wingers should provide support to the Back and Half Back line to clear the ball through the pockets and flanks.
Half-Forward Line The centre half-forward needs to have good marking skills, strength, stamina. Members of the half-forward line should not move down the ground further than half-back. Standing just wide of the centre half-forward, the half-forward flank normally advance the ball along the flanks and always look to move the ball into our 'hot-spot'.
Forward Line The main target for the ball when attacking, and must be strong at one-on-one contests. While they do not run as much as their midfielders, full forwards need to be strong in wrestling off opponents. The forward pocket is often thought of as a second full forward, or is a player who is fast and agile and can kick well while running. The Foward line should be always moving when the ball comes forward, crossing through the 'hot-spot' like basketballers through the key. Getting the ball in the 'hot-spot' gives you the best chance to score. Contesting ball ups is performed by one of the forwards when the ball is inside the forward arc, the on-ballers stay outside the arc to help create a wall keeping the ball in our forward area.
On Ballers There are three different on ball roles; the ruck, rover and the ruck-rover. They are called ‘on the ball’ because they follow the ball around the ground rather than staying in a certain area on the field. The ruck contests with the opposing ruck at centre-bounces at the start of every quarter and after each goal and are therefore quite tall. The ruck-rover remains below the flight of the ball when the ruck flicks the ball down, and are therefore slightly shorter. The rover receives the ball from the ruck or the ruck-rover, completing the clearance. Ball ups are performed by one of the forwards when the ball is inside the forward arc, the onballers stay outside the arc to help create a wall keeping the ball in our forward area.

Pink Footy & Netball Day - May 13th

The club is proud to support the Breast Cancer Network Australia Mothers Day Pink Weekend this year on May 12th and 13th. As part of this weekend the club will auction a special pink football, have all players in pink armbands, have raffles and sell pink food from the canteen. Look to HawkTalk and this blog in the coming weeks for more info.

Updated Directory and Handbooks

The printed Club Directory you all received at jumper handout included the seasons fixture which has now, unfortunately, changed. Here are links to the updated booklets -

• Club Directory
• U10 Handbook
• U11 Handbook

Although the fixture is now correct in the Diectory the best place to check is always here at Sporting Pulse.

Focus on Tackling

At last nights training the U11's and U12's ran through a great tackling drill. Here's another video looking at the art of tackling -

Remember that training is on Friday night at 4:30pm (bring your mouth guards!) and our first game is at Worri Yallock on this Sunday 12th April ([UPDATED] U11's be at ground at 8:15 and U12's 11:30).

Focus on Handballing

We've spent a lot of time on handball skills during our last few training sessions for U11's. Some of the things the coaching team is looking to develop are - 1. Improved skills -
This builds accuracy and player confidence. If you have 4 minutes give this video a look for some great tips for better handballs -

2. Handing off with speed -
If you are under pressure don't take too long to dispose of the ball, Aussie Rules is a fast sport, be fast! This greatly helps avoiding tackles before you get a chance to deliver the ball to a team mate. If you have no target consider handballing to empty space in front of you, avoid the tackle and regain the ball in front of your opponent.
3. Make yourself a target -
If you don't have the ball do your best to make yourself a good target for your ball carrying team mate. Get away from opposition players but within range of a handball. If there is an opposition player between you and the ball-carrier move quickly to create a clear space for the ball to come to you. Remember your team mate needs your help, they can't do it on their own no matter how good they are. Try to be where you can help the most and spread out from your other team mates, this gives your team lots of options.

Changes to Fixture

Hey everyone, there have been some changes to the fixture as it was published in the handbook you have received. Please always check the current fixture at Sporting Pulse (which is always linked on the right of this page). Also some minor changes to other parts of the handbook have been made, we will link to a 'soft-copy' of the new version that you can download and/or print shortly. Cya on Sunday for our practice games!

Playing like a Pro - Kicking Video

Garry Lyon and Matthew Lloyd will help you get the ball on your boot better than ever -

Jumpers and Player Directory

A great evening for training yesterday, despite the police chopper threatening to land on us. Congrats to all the boys on receiving their jumpers and welcome to our new players, great to have you as part of the Hawks team. Here's a link [1.2MB] to the Club Directory that was handed out, we will upload the Players Handbook shortly.

Drop Punt Video

Here's an AFL video, featuring Nathan Buckley, that'll give u some tips on how to kick great drop punts -

Welcome to the new Blog

Hi everyone, this new blog has been set up to give you access to more information about the Monbulk Junior Football Club. We will share links and resources to help develop your football skills, share pictures and videos throughout the season and give you the opportunity to be more involved than ever before.

The club is developing a detailed blueprint that will be first implemented this season. The blueprint aligns the coaches and forms a structure across all year-levels to give our players true progression as they grow with football. As always the clubs primary goal is player enjoyment, but with the blueprint and new approaches to training that focus on getting the ball into the players hands much more often, we hope that everyone will enjoy the season more as their skills improve. Stay tuned for a new Player Handbook that covers all this good stuff.

In the meantime we've linked to some great training resources created by the AFL, have a look at the Skills and Drills links on the right.

Also while this blog is new, the existing Sporting Pulse site is still up and running and remains your destination for information about fixtures, ground locations, sponsors etc. Sporting Pulse is linked in the side-bar to the right of this page.

So again welcome, look forward to regular updates from the club and your coaches and if you want to really stay-in-the-loop then friend the clubs Group on FaceBook here and we'll notify you of updates to the site.


Have a great season and Go Hawks!