Bandit wrote:That pic highlights something that has gone out of the game, the shepard. Danger could easily be protecting blicavs but instead is wanting the quick handball receive (while standing still mind you). If he puts his body between martin and blicavs then that ball gets kicked outside 50. See this sort of thing so many times in a game, players want the ball rather than protect their mate.
Absolutely Bandit, this skill has gone from the game completely. It drives me nuts when a guy hands the ball off to someone, the opposition runs straight past the player who passed it off and tackles the guy from behind/from the side.
The idea that you gain momentum by having a 1-2m break on another player should highlight that enough. Blocking other players runs should be the no1 skill drilled into players but I haven't seen anyone 'sheppard' this season. Bumps I've seen but not a simple run across their path type sheppard.