Arm waving by the defence at the Play the Ball.

[Welski]

Having just tackled a player I've noticed a lot of defenders having regained their feet will point skywards left or right as the tackled player is about to play the ball.

I assume they are trying to indicate, to their own defensive line, which way they think the ball is going to be moved?

Sometimes it's pretty obvious, sometimes impossible to tell but most of the time the player concerned just seems to be randomly waving their arms about.

Is this just some newly developed weird hysterical affliction, like boxers that roll their heads about at news conferences, or is there some valid reason for the recent increase in this?

[cpwigan]

The marker is indicating to his fellow marker which direction he is going to go. They do this to prevent them both going in the same direction and hus leaving a gaping hole up the middle of the defence. There are generally two approaches. One marker moves left, the other moves right but they hold that position. the other is the first maker sprints to pressurise the first receiver and the second holds.

[cpwigan]

You will also see players in the defensive line pointing at an attacker. They do this in warm ups a lot. Again they are communicating to each other who has which attacker. So your effectively saying, I have got the 7, you take the 6 etc.

[Bear]

Its something like split markers some teams use it some teams dont...

Split: 1st marker points the way he will go and the 2nd marker goes the opposite way

the second one is were the 1st marker chases the ball carrier and the 2nd marker covers the 1st markers inside incase of a late step or inside ball. correct me if im wrong

[Welski]

Great stuff cheers chaps.

[Matthew]

Welski posted:
Is this just some newly developed weird hysterical affliction, like boxers that roll their heads about at news conferences, or is there some valid reason for the recent increase in this?

Head movement is one of the key elements to a boxers defense. A strong neck also helps to absorb puches to the head. Most boxers do a fair amount of work on developing the neck.

Before a fight boxers will roll their necks as part of their warm up in preperation to fight. Facing the media and their opponent at press conference is a stressful time for a boxer (especially considering how many fights now break out at press conferences) and so sub-conciously they associate press conferences with the need to defend themselves - hence they start rolling their necks in preperation to fight; although I suspect that a lot of them do it without realising!

[Bear]

Welski posted:
Great stuff cheers chaps.

Anytime im the futre Brian Noble

Just watch the play- offs and see if im write

[Welski]

Matthew posted:

Welski posted:
Is this just some newly developed weird hysterical affliction, like boxers that roll their heads about at news conferences, or is there some valid reason for the recent increase in this?

Head movement is one of the key elements to a boxers defense. A strong neck also helps to absorb puches to the head. Most boxers do a fair amount of work on developing the neck.

Before a fight boxers will roll their necks as part of their warm up in preperation to fight. Facing the media and their opponent at press conference is a stressful time for a boxer (especially considering how many fights now break out at press conferences) and so sub-conciously they associate press conferences with the need to defend themselves - hence they start rolling their necks in preperation to fight; although I suspect that a lot of them do it without realising!

I totally agree. I just find it very amusing watching it spread, they will be doing it on "Strictly Come Dancing" next. You know, it's a bit like the post match 'you know' mantra that nearly all footballers use knowadays...you know.

[Fraggle]

Welski posted:
You know, it's a bit like the post match 'you know' mantra that nearly all footballers use knowadays...you know.

That's so irritating. If we already knew, they wouldn't need to tell us anything! I used to work with someone who ended every sentence with "you know what I mean?" which really bugged me because I had to listen to her talking for twice as long as I would have done if she not kept asking that pointless question.

[Wardy]

it is also used to intimidate the opposition, especially from dead ball situations e.g tap restarts etc
imagine feka / fielden pointing at you saying they're gonna smash you!!!!!