Strengthen the Wall with a Zone

Last year the U11's learnt how to apply defensive pressure in their own forward line by forming 'the wall'. The idea is to deny the opposition an easy clearance after a behind is scored or where the opponent gets a mark/free-kick in our forward 50. Towards the end of the season the players were shown how to build a second 'wall' of 'defensive-attack' just outside the 50 meter arc and the tactic worked very well. In almost all of our finals games last year Monbulk was able to keep the ball in our half of the ground for more than 75% of the game, giving the players many more scoring opportunities. The players great execution of 'the wall' allowed this to happen.

This season the U12 coaching staff want to extend on the success of the wall by introducing more structure to the wall in the form of a 'zone defense'. Below is an extract from the AFL Coaching Manual describing how the zone should work during opposition kick-outs.


In forming the zone players attempt to spread themselves out evenly through the 50 meter arc. The idea is that when the opposition kicks the ball out Hawk players in the area where the kick will land will have enough time to bring pressure to that area in numbers and that no area of the arc is free of that pressure. Also, if the players raise their arms, effectively making themselves bigger targets, this can give the opposition kicker the impression that there are no good options, leading them to make a bad decision when directing their kick.

The U12's have run through a drill at training to focus on the zone and we will focus on it over the coming weeks and we continue to give the team more tactics and plays to draw on.

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.