******GUIDE TO COACHES, MANAGERS AND TRAINERS*******

THE COACH

THE MANAGER

THE TRAINER

ALL COACHING STAFF

Wet Weather Football

By Greg Platz ex Queensland & Australian Representative.

Wet weather doesn't occur to the extent that it is a regular
feature. For this very reason a team should do some preparation in
order to cope with such an eventuality.

How would you be on 'knock out semi day', the ground is a bog and you
haven't trained for it.

Just what does the coach do to help the team for that muddy or
heavy ground.

Players and coaches a like need to be familiar with the effects of
wet weather on our game and the tactics best employed under those
conditions.

Wet weather affects play, players, playing equipment and the
playing surface. It usually results in lower scores with reduced
differential between teams. For this reason wet conditions are
regarded as a levelling factor - detracting from the performances of
good dry weather footballers yet enhancing the capabilities of less
competent players.

The first thing to consider is how wet weather affects play. Some
will dread the thought of going out to play in the mud and rain
while others will relish the prospect.

It is these willing players whom the coach should build his game
plan around and use as an inspiration for the others to follow.
Certain players styles are better suited to wet weather football.
Often games in the wet become defence orientated with little scope
for free running attack. In such conditions, the flamboyant attacking
players may not be all that useful while those noted for their
tackling and straight hard running come to the fore.

The pitch becomes the most transformed and influential factor in
the wet weather computation. A wet playing surface means insecure
footing.

When a players footing is insecure, evasive manoeuvres such as the
side step, in and away, drawing the man and sudden changes in
direction become anything from difficult to execute to relatively
useless.

When the playing field is soft players should use longer studs than
on a dry track. This will improve footing to some extent and may
permit players to use their evasive skills. Another option is to
direct play to the firmer areas of the field. Usually during games in
the wet, the centre of the field becomes a bog, leaving corridors on
either side in more reasonable order. Where possible, attacking raids
should be directed along these corridors.

When you are playing in rain, muddy or heavy conditions, it
doesn't take long for the ball to become both slippery and heavy.
Although the use of synthetic fabric footballs has reduced this
effect, a wet ball can not be passed as far, as quickly or as
accurately; it can not be kicked as high or as long; and it becomes
more difficult to catch.

In wet conditions there will be significantly more spilled ball than
in the dry. Ball security is vital in the wet and control requires a
more conscious effort and, as a result more play is allowed.

Teams should limit both the number and the distance passes are
thrown. Passes, in general, should be kept short, with support close
and deep - not shallow.

It is advisable to have players apply resin or a similar non-slip
compound to their hands or guernseys where the ball is likely to
make contact.

However, while the short pass is more prevalent, gaps will still
present themselves out wide. It is reasonable to run the ball wide
and pick up with a short pass, a deep, support runner coming
straight. Stretching the ball across the field in this fashion can be
productive.

Running directly across is different from running "sideways"
which simply makes an easier target of the runner.

RUCK PLAY ON WET AND HEAVY TRACKS DEMANDS THAT PLAYERS CROSS THE
ADVANTAGE LINE.

A players speed and acceleration even in a straight line, is
markedly reduced in the wet. The heavy going suggests that players
need to keep moving, to maintain momentum to offset the increased
inert load because of the conditions.

Wet weather football can be tiring and because ball movement is
reduced the inside players will usually be called on to do
disproportionate amount of work.

Outside backs should be encouraged to take the occasional ruck to
spread the work load more evenly.

The wet also introduces an unpredictable bounce of the ball.
Low kicks "skid", high kicks tend to "flop". You
might recollect Queensland won a State of Origin series several years
ago, because the ball failed to bounce in the mud when a goal line
dropout was taken.

Those wet but firmer corridors mentioned earlier are perfect for
low trajectory kicks when in the opposition half. The subsequent
scrum, even with its predetermined result, is unlikely to produce
any great threat because of the conditions, subsequent handling
difficulties and distance between teams.

From your own half, aim the kicks towards the heavy parts of the
ground, where the going is heavy work.

The net effect of all of this is a more cautious game played more
slowly. When a team receives the ball in their own half, it should
be their express aim to get the football into opposition territory
as soon as possible.

As mentioned earlier, there is likely to be more dropped ball in
the wet so the less time a team spends in their own territory the
less chance there will be of handling errors and opportunity to the
opposition. Use the minimum number of tackles necessary to position
the kicker and chasers and return the ball to opposition territory.

For these reasons an important capability required of the team is
for one or more players to have a good kicking game, preferably a
long one.

Wet and heavy conditions and percentage football in an oppositions
35m area is a potent combination.

A team should now attack through their defence. An enthusiastic chase
followed by aggressive, spoiling defence is likely to force errors
during a team's attempt to carry the ball out of their own
territory.

Errors that now provide the defending team with possession in a
field position that makes scoring easier. In this situation, it
now becomes important to use the maximum number of tackles in a set
before kicking the ball high or along the ground to create scoring
opportunities.

This is "sweepstakes" football but chances are heavily
weighted in
favour of the team that controls possession near the opponents line.
This also gives a side an advantage when penalties are awarded.

A team is more likely to get more chance to kick for goal and, as
points are hard to come by in the wet, it's advisable to attempt
any within kicking range making certain the ball goes dead or is
dropped in goal. I'm not advocating that kicking be the only try
scoring option, but ball movement should be limited in favour of
maintaining possession.

Defending for long periods in the wet will certainly tire an
opposition.

In essence the objectives of wet weather football are:

* Meet the advantage line.

* Play the game in the opposition half.

* Pressure them in defence.

* Feed off opposition mistakes.

* Limit complex plays in preference for simple sweepstakes football.

* Take points when offered.

In conclusion, remember there are degrees of wet weather. Some
playing surfaces will become bog with relatively little rain while
others will remain firm after twice the fall.

It is up to the coach and players to decide just how much the wet
conditions are likely to influence the teams normal play and adjust
their strategies along the guidelines suggested.