Matthew Graham's Page

I played against the weirdest D line technique over the weekend.  The guy just sort of stood back and watched the play develop then made his move.  This was great on pass plays as it gave me a chance to set myself but on the run he just sort of held me back with a longer reach stopping me getting any movement happening.  When I tried to just drive through he'd just step away.  Can someone give me some things I can do in my training to get around this?  I tried swiping the arms and all the…See More

So I had my first training with my new team last night and all went pretty well.  Except they are changing the way I do everything which is fine but I'm trying to relearn my footwork.  Thanks to some players being away I should hopefully land a starting spot for saturday so I need to cram in my new footwork asap.  I know the steps and practiced them for another hour after training last night but is there anything else I should be doing to prepare myself for game day?As far as blocking it's…See More

Can someone suggest some simple (no equipment) drills to improve foot mobility.  This and hands were the biggest problems I've had the last 2 seasons.  My hand placement is getting much better.  I've watched the Centreline football DVD and had the chance to talk to one of the Australian boxing coaches about hand speed and aiming (man that was a sheer luck opportunity) but my problem is I'm planting my feet to try and generate maximum power from the ground up.  As you all know, this doesn't work…See More

Can someone explain to me in as simple terms was possible what Gap On Backer means?Assume your talking to someone who's never even played Middleschool level when your explaining it.  I've been trying to understand it as it will probably be the rules we bring in this year for our o line. Thanks guysSee More

So next weekend I'm trying out for the Australia team. I'm not sure how ill go but I'll go my hardest. I was talking to my hc about what to expect and apparently I'll be running a lot. It's also mid summer over here at the moment.My main goal is to last the 2 days or pass our trying.What should I eat the morning of and during the day of the trials? Last thing I wanna do is be sick or run out of puff.Any other advice would be appreciated. Does any one have any idea of what to expect?See More

Ok, so this year is almost over.  We are very unlikely to make finals now (although there is a chance)So talking to our new HC for next year, they are going to be implementing a zone blocking system (the exact details are still TBA) However, I'm going to be starting my off season strength and conditioning program as soon as the season finishes.  I'm looking for advice from coaches on how to increase speed in a way that will help me with zone blocking.  I'm also going to be starting a new…See More

Well, after a disappointing loss on Saturday (32-10) our season is pretty much over. To make finals we are relying on the third placed team to lose to the currently last placed team for us to slip into third. I'm just upset that I missed half a season due to injury but such is life. Now to hit the gym and get ready for next year

In our league here, most D ends line up about 3-4 yards off the outside shoulder of the tackle.  The first move on the snap is for the DE to spring down field then cut back in.  How can I deal with this on an outside run?  ThanksSee More

Well I've yet to play one of our 4 games this season after having a full back land on my ankle in our last preseason training. I tried to play a game 2 weeks ago and got hit sideways and I was down and out again.I have a serious sprained anklIts actually depressing to have trained all year to sit on the sideline (I actually hate the rt who replaced me, he has made like 2 trainings all year and now gets to start) to the point that I am finding it hard to turn up to games stille with the entire…See More

I've been doing some time at centre (Every linemen will need to play at any spot for our team) and I was having trouble holding onto the ball for undercenter snaps.  I did the finger lick thing and that helped a bit.  Any suggestions would be great.