It strikes me that we have now lost a number of our younger defenders to shoulder injuries.

Although yet to be called a spate of shoulder injuries, does the current interpretation of the "hands in the back" rule make shoulder injuries like this more prevalent? In the past, the backman had the ability to play more compactly, using their hands to stop a forward backing into them, a defence they no longer have.

Now, they must extend themselves, generally at full pace, and reach around their opponent, leaving their shoulders more exposed to collision with player or ground?

I know that Tex's injury was slightly different, although it too was caused by ground contact, but both Jamo and Bowers injuries occured during defensive contests.

Is there some specific training that can be done to alleviate this 'weakness' ?

_________________
"Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost

I thought Bower sustained his injury when he was tackled and crunched into the ground.

Yeah, and Jamison's injury was pretty innocuous from memory. Just stuck his first up to punch the ball and "pop". Not sure there's much to your theory Vet.....

_________________
"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself" - Henry Ford

Poor Jamo.........

i know his shoulder pop very well............happens to me all
the time.............!

obviously not when i'm playing AFL.............or any kind
of other footy for that matter...............or any footy at all i suppose........!

usually i'm just reaching for the Flora Pro-Active at the table.............!

but ostensibly the same thing............!





without the adulation.........!


kindest regards tommi

_________________
that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

Tommi,

Try MeadowLea polyunsaturated

perhaps the title has served to influence you all

It is the fact that the shoulder injury is caused by apparantly innocuous contact that is the point. That contact in the past would not have resulted in such an injury. So, either we have a crop of weak shouldered recruits (which i don't believe), or there is some aspect of play that is causing increased stress and strain on the shoulder.

Could it be that the free kick interpretations which favour a forward (chopping the arms, in the back, etc) are requiring backmen to use their shoulders and arms differently.

The issue is that if so, we cannot afford to lose more defenders to this. What strengthening regime, or defensive methodology ought be employed?

_________________
"Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost

nothing to do with defense

_________________
Between our dreams and actions lies this world

This year there seems to be a real emphasis on the tackler crunching the player with the ball into the ground. Obviously with the intent of either jarring the ball loose or gaining the free kick. The ferocity with which it is occurring is "NRL" like in its intensity so I think that is why we are seeing more of these injuries. Blokes like Bower and Jamo have only had two or so pre-seasons to build upper body strength and maybe more susceptible to shoulder injuries if rammed into the turf as they were.

That certainly applies to Tex's injury pre-season, but not to Jamo, he was extending his arm for a punch - not sure what had happened immediately beforehand.

_________________
"Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost

Really Gilly....................

is that worth 43 BUCKS a thimble full too.................?

cos fair dinkum.........that Pro-Active gear.........mind GOT.......
and we thought PETROL was expensive.........!


kindest regards tommi

_________________
that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

My folks buy that stuff because it makes them feel better about 50-odd years of eating badly

Me, I couldn't afford it....I'd either have to buy petrol and drive to work or sit at home scooping out the Heart active with a spoon.....