by Woody Woodhouse

Created on: March 02, 2009

"Its the little things you do" and "put in that little bit of extra effort" are phrases commonly used by coaches in all sports around the world, but when you hear it used in the Australian Football League (AFL) what does it mean? Well, it means you have to do the one percenters. These one perceters are crucial in AFL and can be the difference between winning and losing. Not only do they mean you can give that 100% effort rather than only 99% effort but also contributes to a great work ethics respected by coaches, teammates, supports and opposition.

One percenters are highly respected in AFL because most of the time they are selfless actions for the team rather than the individual and require that little bit of extra work on the field. They are so highly respected that the official statisticians keep a record of one percenters made in a game. To constitue a one percenter in the stats book one of the four following actions must be made.

1. KNOCK-ONS

Knock-ons refers to tapping the ball often with an open hand to the advantage of a teammate. They may not have the time or space to pick the ball up and handball it off so they would knock it to their teammate so he can dispose of the ball. This is counted as a one percenter rather than a disposal because they never actually take possession of the ball.

2. SPOIL

This is when the player prevents the opposition player from taking possession of the ball, often done by intercepting the pass or punching the ball away from a contest.

3. SMOTHER

A smother is when the player gets his body (usually arms) in the way of the ball as the opponent kicks or handballs it along. This usually occurs by the player throwing himself infront of the opposition player kicking the ball hoping to prevent a clean kick away so they can either get a turnover or at the very least stop the opposition team gaining advantage from better field position.

4. SHEPHERD

A shepherd is a very technical area as the line between legal and illegal is very close and often controversial. However, shepherding is a key part of the sport and involves a player shouldering or bumping the opposition player to prevent them from getting the ball or pressuring a teammate with the ball so they have more time.

These four one percenters are officially recognised however, there are other actions that players can take that are unofficially recognised as one percenters and contribute to the teams success. Although they aren't written in the statistics book many players are praised for there effort in the following efforts.

CHASE - Making a long run (known as a chase) to put pressure on the player with the ball to make them rush there disposal which can lead to an error. They may also make a long run to prevent a player in space from getting the ball. This is regarded as extra effort which is applauded by coaches and teammates.

BLOCK - Similar to shepherding, a block is when a player prevents the oppositon player getting to a contest often by running in front of the player and the contest area. Although illegal it will very rarely be penalised.

BUMP - This is the act, without tackling, of putting pressure on the opposition player as they are about to release the ball often causing panic and ultimately a turnover. They may push the player or grab the gernsey as they are about to dispose of the ball and put them off balance.

Such is the importance of one percenters in AFL, that in 2007 the AFL Army Award was given to the player with the most one percenters to recognise the extra effort they put in for the team.

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