Pressure

[roosterchook]

Along with many I ask the question - why can’t we handle the ball or make so many stupid mistakes. My thoughts have been along the lines of poor discipline and poor training but I’m beginning to shift towards what I think may be the real reason that is - pressure. When our opponents are up in our faces whether in possession or not, we panic under pressure, do stupid things such as get tackled in touch, drop bombs and throw wild passes. If we examine the quality of players we have now compared to last year, we have lost not only talent but players who could dish out and sustain pressure. Even Teddy is panicking along with JWH and others. A very few in our team are pressure players, surprisingly Walker is my best with Manu. Walker doesn’t react to pressure and all game tries to stick it to our opponents.

But with our opponents having figured out that up in our faces defence is causing us to fold, we have become easybeats. We put in mighty efforts but panic once pressure is applied. We let in a lot of soft tries and are not holding up under sustained pressure. Just about all our players are easily frustrated and panic under pressure.

I think now our main problem might not be ball security but that we can’t handle the pressure. What do you guys think?

[Thirteen]

We are in the same boat as every other team. Can’t use pressure as an excuse. Maybe pushing the pass too often is the basis for our low completions.

[roosterchook]

We are in the same boat as every other team. Can’t use pressure as an excuse. Maybe pushing the pass too often is the basis for our low completions.

I think teams being up in our faces is causing us untold problems. We just can’t handle it. We are a team that needs space but when that’s denied us we struggle. It might also be the ref is allowing opponents to run before the ball is played. But it seems the other team always is up too quick.

[Thirteen]

I think teams being up in our faces is causing us untold problems. We just can’t handle it. We are a team that needs space but when that’s denied us we struggle. It might also be the ref is allowing opponents to run before the ball is played. But it seems the other team always is up too quick.

I know everyone always likes to blame the refs but I really don’t see them referring us any differently to the other sides. All teams have defence in their faces. Most teams have quick line speed.

[SouthWestChook]

Along with many I ask the question - why can’t we handle the ball or make so many stupid mistakes. My thoughts have been along the lines of poor discipline and poor training but I’m beginning to shift towards what I think may be the real reason that is - pressure. When our opponents are up in our faces whether in possession or not, we panic under pressure, do stupid things such as get tackled in touch, drop bombs and throw wild passes. If we examine the quality of players we have now compared to last year, we have lost not only talent but players who could dish out and sustain pressure. Even Teddy is panicking along with JWH and others. A very few in our team are pressure players, surprisingly Walker is my best with Manu. Walker doesn’t react to pressure and all game tries to stick it to our opponents.

But with our opponents having figured out that up in our faces defence is causing us to fold, we have become easybeats. We put in mighty efforts but panic once pressure is applied. We let in a lot of soft tries and are not holding up under sustained pressure. Just about all our players are easily frustrated and panic under pressure.

I think now our main problem might not be ball security but that we can’t handle the pressure. What do you guys think?

I think you're partly right. A big reason we would stay calm was because we had Boyd and Friend there to lead us. We're missing their leadership a lot more than their individual abilities. I don't think Teddy is quite there yet as a leader, but I do hope we have some people there to keep us calm.

[Roosterfarian]

I think teams being up in our faces is causing us untold problems. We just can’t handle it. We are a team that needs space but when that’s denied us we struggle. It might also be the ref is allowing opponents to run before the ball is played. But it seems the other team always is up too quick.

Good point about us struggling when defence is in our face quick.

How can we combat this tactic?

[roosterchook]

You look at Walker. Instead of getting discouraged with his poor kicking all season, he coolly put his mind to it to improve and now look at him. He stands up to every challenge thrown at him and returns serve with an ace. I love the guy. He’s full of resilience and determination and doesn’t let emotion run his game. He makes mistakes then comes back with awesome plays and tries. He doesn’t panic like most of the others. I know he’s very young but we need a cool head on field. Neither Teddy nor Keary nor JWH are providing any composure at all.

Manu might make a better captain while we wait for Walker to age but Teddy’s game is way off since he’s been captain. He’s not providing any composure but adding to our woes often.

[Seventy Five]

We are gifting teams momentum early with our lack of intensity in defence and attack. There is very little aggression or intent to dominate from our forwards at the start of matches and teams quickly realise there is nothing too fear and are happy to get up in our faces and apply pressure.

If we had of come out in the first half of last weeks game with the line speed and defensive intent that we came out with in the second half, we would have won comfortably despite our clunky attack. The good teams defend and attack with speed from the opening whistle. We don't as yet.

With the ball, Teddy will get back to his best but I think it would help if he focused a little more on quality rather than quantity. I don't think his scattergun approach to attack and desire to touch the ball 4 or 5 times in every set is helping Keary or Walker build any repetitive or meaningful attack.

[bondi paul]

Love this quote about pressure from cricket legend Keith Miller.
"Pressure?" Miller asked, "There's no pressure in Test cricket. Real pressure is when you are flying a Mosquito with a Messerschmitt up your arse!"

[Noosa Rooster]

Good point about us struggling when defence is in our face quick.

How can we combat this tactic?

If space is the only issue then all they need to do is stand deeper from the play the ball. If it's a game of inches, as is often said, then stand half a metre deeper. Although some may think we shouldn't need to if the 10m is policed correctly and fairly.

[Noosa Rooster]

Love this quote about pressure from cricket legend Keith Miller.
"Pressure?" Miller asked, "There's no pressure in Test cricket. Real pressure is when you are flying a Mosquito with a Messerschmitt up your arse!"

Sure that's pressure but its still all relative to the situation and outcome you're trying to achieve although it is a vast difference between a game of footy and life and death.

[The Brain]

The hunger and attitude are not in sink from the beginning of games . I kind of new we would get into trouble last week as they were far too easy going in the first 10..new some thing was not right ..the rest was wishful thinking

[JAF]

Would having Boyd or Cooper running the water bottles help?
Being on the field and having that leadership and calming influence could be just what we need at the moment …

[Big Dog]

Would having Boyd or Cooper running the water bottles help?
Being on the field and having that leadership and calming influence could be just what we need at the moment …

A calming influence is needed that's for sure.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

You play how you train. Some squads have adjusted better to PVLeague than others.