Playing Tough or Playing Rough..
Is there a difference?
I can't honestly say that I have been involved in the handball scene for too long. Certainly not in the Malaysian scene. From the time I got actively involved in 2003, I can only sadly say that there are players in Malaysia who act as if they do not know the difference.
There was a time when nobody defended properly. They did not know that it was good defence to use one's body to check the opponent's attack. Words like 'grab', 'block' and 'push' did not feature much in the vocabulary while in defence at that time. Defence in handball was played similar to basketball, where players held their hands up hoping only to block the opponent's shot.
Someone brought in a new aspect of defence. Something that was already second nature to countries where handball was already an established sport. The Malaysian National team got to play against other countries from the region. We lost all our games but yet we came away with a little knowledge.
The sad thing is that there was nobody available to show or teach the enthusiastic Malaysians proper defence. Many players began to adopt a certain brand of aggressive defence. Instead of checking the opponent's body from the front, opponent's arms were pulled back, pushes came from the back, some try to cut an opponent on a fast break... the list goes on. What can be done about it? Many would plead ignorance of the rules proper due to inexposure. The refereeing committee are not absolutely sure themselves.
I guess apart from education in handball, perhaps a little can be done to change or enlighten the attitude of players toward the game. We can be aggressively tough. After all why not? We play the game to win. We are way past the stage of 'just having fun'. Yes, we have fun, but while doing the best we can. Is it not true? Yet do not mistake the word 'tough' for 'rough'. When we defend on someone we go all out. But...the end does not justify the means. If an opponent is good enough to get round the defence it just means the defenders have to buck up the next time. It does not mean that the defenders try whatever it takes to prevent the opponent from scoring.
Playing tough would mean using the proper techniques bearing in mind the safety of the opponent. It does not include losing rational for that split moment. Of course as in all cases there is a risk of someone getting injured, but the chances of injury would be minimized drastically.
All being said, it has to be noted that there are many excellent people amongst handball players in Malaysia. People you would gladly have as your team mate or as an opponent.
I can't honestly say that I have been involved in the handball scene for too long. Certainly not in the Malaysian scene. From the time I got actively involved in 2003, I can only sadly say that there are players in Malaysia who act as if they do not know the difference.
There was a time when nobody defended properly. They did not know that it was good defence to use one's body to check the opponent's attack. Words like 'grab', 'block' and 'push' did not feature much in the vocabulary while in defence at that time. Defence in handball was played similar to basketball, where players held their hands up hoping only to block the opponent's shot.
Someone brought in a new aspect of defence. Something that was already second nature to countries where handball was already an established sport. The Malaysian National team got to play against other countries from the region. We lost all our games but yet we came away with a little knowledge.
The sad thing is that there was nobody available to show or teach the enthusiastic Malaysians proper defence. Many players began to adopt a certain brand of aggressive defence. Instead of checking the opponent's body from the front, opponent's arms were pulled back, pushes came from the back, some try to cut an opponent on a fast break... the list goes on. What can be done about it? Many would plead ignorance of the rules proper due to inexposure. The refereeing committee are not absolutely sure themselves.
I guess apart from education in handball, perhaps a little can be done to change or enlighten the attitude of players toward the game. We can be aggressively tough. After all why not? We play the game to win. We are way past the stage of 'just having fun'. Yes, we have fun, but while doing the best we can. Is it not true? Yet do not mistake the word 'tough' for 'rough'. When we defend on someone we go all out. But...the end does not justify the means. If an opponent is good enough to get round the defence it just means the defenders have to buck up the next time. It does not mean that the defenders try whatever it takes to prevent the opponent from scoring.
Playing tough would mean using the proper techniques bearing in mind the safety of the opponent. It does not include losing rational for that split moment. Of course as in all cases there is a risk of someone getting injured, but the chances of injury would be minimized drastically.
All being said, it has to be noted that there are many excellent people amongst handball players in Malaysia. People you would gladly have as your team mate or as an opponent.
posted by pyh at 4:08 PM
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