The Weighting Game | Thebigtip

For young budding superstars of the game, a popular misconception made by many developing their skills in a certain position is their weight. A lot of young people want to be the star of the team, a possession getting midfielder or a bag-kicking bustling forward but the unfortunate truth is that we all aren't made for those roles.

Midfielders
As a midfielder, you need to have pace and stamina. If you don't then you're already behind the eight ball going into every single contest. If you're second to the ball because you're not able to get to the footy quick enough, your team is at a disadvantage. However, if you're still keen on playing in the thick of the action, there is always the role of 'blocker' and 'tagger'. Many teams play specific players in the teams that are there for the purpose of keeping their player out of the contest and stopping him from getting to the ball. This allows your ball winners to have a better chance of getting a clean disposal. To be able to stop the opposition midfielders from getting to your mids is invaluable and the Chris Judds and Gary Abletts would be half the players they are today without the strong blocking they've received from their teammates.

Ruckmen
Being tall is only half the battle. The best ruckmen are not only the ones that are able to reach up and hit the ball but the ones that know where to place the ball and the ones able to jump higher than their opponent. The modern game also demands more of rucks than in previous years, so fitness is a huge part of playing in the ruck. For example, Aaron Sandilands may be tall and has the instant advantage but he isn't able to jump all that high due to his weight and isn't as useful when running through the middle of the field. On the other hand, Nick Naitanui isn't the tallest ruckman but he has a huge leap and the speed of a small midfielder.

Defenders
If there's one thing to know before you go into your development as a defender, it's to never give your opponent any space. Stick to him like you're his shadow. With different types of forwards emerging in the modern game, that means many different types of defenders need to be developed to shut down the opposition. There is always a spot of almost every type of player in defence, but like all areas of the ground, you need to hone your skills in that position. Firstly, being able to play on the 'big boys' of the competition required you to not only be strong in a one-on-one situation,but to be able to run step-for-step when your opponent is making a strong lead. Then there are your typical small forwards, who are arguably more difficult to contain than the bag-kickers. They can pop up anywhere and anytime so when defending against them, you need to have your wits about you. Never be distracted because you could blink and they'll be away.

Forwards
Playing up forward is one of trickiest things a player can ever do, so to make a permanent home of it and do a great job week after week is a great achievement. The first thing to remember when playing up forward is to know that you're not there to look good, you're there to finish off the efforts of your teammates. Strength and height are the top key components of a key forward. If you're a tall guy, developing your speed would give you a huge advantage. Not only are you tall, but then you've doubled your advantage by being ahead of your defender. Strength should just be something that you need to have. Look at the greats, the Locketts and Dunstalls and in the modern game, the Barry Halls, Brendan Fevolas and Jonathan Browns. They would be nothing without their strength.

Whatever you decide to do with your career, know that you take full responsibility for your performance on the field and that you are liable for your own mistakes. Also remember that any position that you want to play in, you can. Some positions will simply take more effort to achieve greatness in than others.