Smaller players of the game often don’t have the great reach advantages that the key position players have and usually have to rely heavily on their pace and leap to compensate.
Paul Medhurst is a great example of how a small forward can dominate a game equally if not better than a tall forward. He will often use a chest mark to great effect so he can take a ‘ safe haul ‘ .
Obviously taking the ball in front of you can be great advantage when there is a need to get the ball on quickly. By having your arms out you can easily give off a quick handball. Medhurst uses the chest mark in the same way ‘ Buddy ‘ Franklin uses his reach.
By leaping earlier, players of Medhurst’s height aim to takes the ball on the chest so that it is out of the reach of the opponent’s sight and touch. Leaping early also offers that element of suprise as the oppossed player might be caught off guard.
Paul Medhurst often uses the 'safe haul' option when leading for a mark.
A good, high long jump can utilise Medhurst’s body as a shield and prevent the reach around from his opponent.
Taking the ball in front as you jump or cradling it into your chest are two techniques that work very well for a ‘ safe haul ‘ .
On wet days the chest mark is often taken as the preferred method as the leather ball can get quite sippery.
When players like Medhurst lead they often get into a front and square position so they are in the direct flight path of the ball. It is no good taking the ball side on and risk spilling it.
As a general rule it is good to use the safest technique whenever possible. Although taking attacking risks can pay off, the team usually with the least handling errors comes off best.
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July 5th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
While I agree that a chest mark is safest on a rainy day etc how many times does a defender manage to spoil a chest mark when on a lead?
Also I think its safe to say that Medhurst is a freak and what he does as normal, is hard for us…
Good post