The UAFC

justinr73 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 10:31 am It’s the Dragons minus their internationals.

If we can’t secure an impressive bonus point win against that lot then we really are doomed.

It will be interesting to see how we play though.

I’m struggling to understand how McFarland stopped the players from catching the ball, tackling the opposition, throwing a lineout straight and pushing hard enough in a scrum and, indeed, why he would want to.

Dave wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:15 pm

justinr73 wrote:It’s the Dragons minus their internationals.

If we can’t secure an impressive bonus point win against that lot then we really are doomed.

It will be interesting to see how we play though.

I’m struggling to understand how McFarland stopped the players from catching the ball, tackling the opposition, throwing a lineout straight and pushing hard enough in a scrum and, indeed, why he would want to.

I don't know but here's a theory: Tension in the body. It's the scourge of sports men and women all over the world. Every sport. It's what separates the those who have the talent and those who have the talent but additionally can perform under pressure. In an ideal world you would only have world class individuals. One major impact on tension is thinking or to be more specific, negative thinking. Thinking creates a delay, causing doubt/fear/anxiety and as a result muscle tension. It is preferable to use the increase in emotion to keep focus external by heightening the senses. To engage in a state of flow where the player is spontaneously interacting with the situation around him. A big factor in enabling flow is the reduction of decision fatigue. Making decisions is cognitively taxing, thus a drain on energy, the player is potentially achieving suboptimal oxygenation when performing the task (catching, passing, kicking etc). This player will make more mistakes. The coaches role can be, in terms of providing clear instructions and philosophy to reduce in-game uncertainty over decision making. Players have to buy into this playing style. The coach has to be able to communicate the message. After 6 years this becomes more difficult for a variety of factors. Dan is nearly a great coach. He has nearly won trophies. The nearly won trophy cabinet is nearly fun.

In our scenario we need someone who the players will respond to and buy into the playing style/philosophy. We can't replace all the players unfortunately. We need a details guy. Joe Schmidt left no player uncertain as to his role on the pitch, what was expected at a given scenario.. we can't afford a Joe. The shouty Brexit coach will only get you so far.

CIMANFOREVER wrote:

Dave wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:15 pm

justinr73 wrote:It’s the Dragons minus their internationals.

If we can’t secure an impressive bonus point win against that lot then we really are doomed.

It will be interesting to see how we play though.

I’m struggling to understand how McFarland stopped the players from catching the ball, tackling the opposition, throwing a lineout straight and pushing hard enough in a scrum and, indeed, why he would want to.

I don't know but here's a theory: Tension in the body. It's the scourge of sports men and women all over the world. Every sport. It's what separates the those who have the talent and those who have the talent but additionally can perform under pressure. In an ideal world you would only have world class individuals. One major impact on tension is thinking or to be more specific, negative thinking. Thinking creates a delay, causing doubt/fear/anxiety and as a result muscle tension. It is preferable to use the increase in emotion to keep focus external by heightening the senses. To engage in a state of flow where the player is spontaneously interacting with the situation around him. A big factor in enabling flow is the reduction of decision fatigue. Making decisions is cognitively taxing, thus a drain on energy, the player is potentially achieving suboptimal oxygenation when performing the task (catching, passing, kicking etc). This player will make more mistakes. The coaches role can be, in terms of providing clear instructions and philosophy to reduce in-game uncertainty over decision making. Players have to buy into this playing style. The coach has to be able to communicate the message. After 6 years this becomes more difficult for a variety of factors. Dan is nearly a great coach. He has nearly won trophies. The nearly won trophy cabinet is nearly fun.

In our scenario we need someone who the players will respond to and buy into the playing style/philosophy. We can't replace all the players unfortunately. We need a details guy. Joe Schmidt left no player uncertain as to his role on the pitch, what was expected at a given scenario.. we can't afford a Joe. The shouty Brexit coach will only get you so far.

So fear of failure and get someone else to think for you?
Surely we need thinkers on the pitch who can work out a defence setting etc as it presents and not robots having every scenario micro managed?

F#cking Gen Z...

big mervyn wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:44 pm Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 29th league game)
AR 1: Frank Murphy

If only it was Gnocchi t'would have been a great pairing.

CIMANFOREVER wrote:So Marty's fit?

CIMANFOREVER wrote:So Marty's fit?

justinr73 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 7:29 pm Hope you guys will be wearing your club socks on Saturday night.

Apart from Cap’n Grumpy obviously.