Identification of strengths and weaknesses

Another strength on mine is to clear the ball smoothly and quickly out of the defensive third so that our attack have re-positioned themselves and therefore have move players further up the court attacking and pressurising the opposition.

One of the weaknesses that have shown up in my game are claiming, the rebounds, this is a very important part of the game and can be match deciding this is why it is very important for me to improve on this skill.

To gain every rebound you have to have a lot of explosive strength and flexibility in your legs and be able to time your jump at the right time.

My height again does help but when balls are being hit of the circumference of the goal post the GS/GK/GD/GA have to compete for the ball at the highest point which, means that (you cannot wait until the ball comes to you but have to catch it as soon as possible in the air).

My coach has pointed of that the reason that my explosive strength / flexibility isn't as good in my legs is because my hamstring muscles are really tight this has developed due to an increase of strength in my rectus femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus and bicep femoris this consequently causes the muscles to shorten and therefore decreasing there flexibility.

So it is vital that I try and keep a balance in developing both flexibility and strength to avoid unbalancing.

One other weakness of mine game is gaining possession of a 50-50 ball consistently. It is an advantage that I can intercept and put the ball out of play but by snatching the ball in, I could gain possession much quickly and therefore protect my goal and advance our attack more quickly.

Strategies and tactics

My strengths related to tactics have developed due to regular training and playing. A GK/GD is 65% mentally directed. This is because they have to figure out the moves of the GS/GA and what there tactics are and pick out their weaknesses; this is why the GS/GA tend to change quite regularly to confuse the defence. For example some shooters prefer to shoot from different distances or sides of the court so the defence had to figure out that and try and keep them out of that area.

Another strength to my game is my mental attitude I encourage the team support the defence and try to lift the team.

A weakness of my tactics is applying 'zoning' effectively, zoning is where you and your partnership player (GK/GD) taking aside of the semicircle/third and defend the space rather then player or 'man to man'.

While playing for the seniors I have to try and adapt to this tactic that they use regularly and switch to man to man marking when needed to, the way that I can improve this by is by more game practice and training on it. Below is an example of zoning in the defensive, semi circle. (Zoning can be done in all parts of the court)

So the GD dominates the circle at the edges and around the top of the circle and the GK stays back protecting goal post and getting into a position to mark easily if the player gets through then the GK can deal with it and vice versa. This works effectively when the GA is trying to get into the semi circle after a centre pass.

Fitness

My strengths in my areas of fitness are; co-ordination, flexibility (when leaning for the ball and marking, not in legs) and reaction time. These are important so that we can try and defend and break down play.

My weaknesses in fitness are my explosive power this is very important for a defender to have so that they can retrieve every ball from rebounds at the highest point.

My coach has also said that I need to step up my aerobic fitness; I can withstand 45 minutes but in the last quarter I become fatigued and therefore have trouble keeping up with play, intercepting and this also leads to poor co-ordination, poor passing and dodging.