Why is cohesion so important in team sports?

It takes a while in any team sport to build up cohesion and understanding between members in a team. We often hear so many times when coaches try to keep the same team playing whether it is soccer/football, rugby union or league or any sport for that matter.

A fine example of this can be seen on some touch rugby days where a team is strung together on the fly. Each player has their own style. Some people cannot help but run sideways, others run predictably straight while good players run into gaps with hands on the ball keeping the defender guessing.

Granted touch rugby is played mostly on a social level where a whole bunch of people gather and have a run around but it is still very interesting to observe different players, team dynamics and people’s attitudes.

The basic concept in touch rugby is to gain the meters in the first 3 or so touches and then spin it wide. When done effectively, gaps open up naturally as it leaves the defensive team in disarray. However, there are times when huge gaps of opportunities appear in center field, on the first touch that appears too good to resist. The ball is spun wide, fumbled, and turned over. This often results in a whole bunch of meaningless shouting and cursing.

General consensus on having a “wild” runner who ducks and weaves all over the place is split. It is good in that it can break up the defensive line, exploit gaps in different areas but againsts a well organized team, it could result in a whole lotta wasted energy. It also leaves the team mates of the attacking team just wonder what the heck the guy is up too!

Observing and understanding the characteristics of your team mates is very important and leads to an unspoken understanding that can help win games. From observing various players of the Shanghai’s touch team and those going to Singapore for the touch tournament, some players make use of the inside pass very effectively. More often than not the gaps seem to open up here. Others tend to run into gaps very effectively drawing 2 defenders and creating space on the outside. The wrap around or double round is not often used but when it is, it seems to be very effective.

Over running the mark is very common and allows the defense to reorganize. In high level matches the defense ends up constantly back tracking which is very hard work as leg muscles are made for running forwards, not backwards. Understanding should be maintained as in many situations there is no dummy half present and someone has to run in and pick it up. Supporting players should advise by calling out “take the touch” or “go left”.

As always, many things are always easier said than done. It takes a lot of time and practise to get use to each others play and style. With this in mind, do more observing, more communicating and less meaningless shouting next time you are on the touch field.

~ a blog article from Suzhou Creakers (http://www.suzhou-creakers.com/) ~