Cones or no cones? When I was a young PE teacher, swinging a whistle and learning the ropes, a seasoned colleague posed this question. It wasn’t a groundbreaking thought, but it was the first time I’d really considered it. The debate that followed shifted between the efficiency of a well-run drill and the deeper growth that comes from a free-flowing environment.
At the time, I’d never really thought about how something so seemingly simple could be so impactful. The structured world of cones had always felt like the natural way to train, prepare, and develop skills. But my colleague’s question made me realise that there was more to it.
His question lingered in my mind and has stayed with me over the years, both on the field and beyond. I find myself returning to it time and again. When do we need to lean into the structure and support of the cones, and how are they setting us up to jump the fence and leave them behind?
Sometimes, the choice isn’t yours to make. I remember a warm-up session from my country footy days. It couldn’t have been more than four degrees, the sun barely showing its face despite it being close to 2 p.m. The ground’s facilities left you wanting a little, but we found a ‘flat enough’ patch to get some early touch and defrost.
Over the fence we went, no cones, just a couple of pills and 22 blokes chasing cracks in the clouds for a rare kiss of sunlight. And didn’t we warm up quick! Within minutes, it became clear we weren’t the only ones enjoying that flat spot. From behind a tree stepped the biggest bull I’d ever seen. We didn’t need a second invitation, jets on, back over the fence, and suddenly, we were as ready as ever to take the field. We kicked six goals to zip in the first quarter, not a bad warm-up in the end!
That moment reminded me that at times, like in the case of the unexpected bull, adaptability isn’t just beneficial, it’s necessary. There are moments when the plan goes out the window, when the conditions shift in ways you never anticipated. In those instances, it’s not the drills or the carefully laid-out cones that get you through, it’s your ability to think on your feet, react, and embrace the support around you.
Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely times when the cones are well and truly needed. They provide structure, direction, and safety, bringing a coach’s vision to life, allowing players, new and old, to get on board and ‘get a feel’ for the game plan. They are an integral part of training, the cones are there to guide us, not to hinder us.
So, what’s the answer, cones or no cones? For me it’s all about balance, there’s a time and place for both.
But what does this balance look like off the field, in the social rooms, and around the grounds? Football clubs, and especially VAFA clubs, have evolved beyond just a place to lace up the boots each weekend and backslap each other after a good win or a hard-fought loss. They’ve grown, and continue to grow, into spaces for deeper connection and support.
In the past, football clubs were primarily about the game. But these days, the focus is shifting. The importance of mental health, wellbeing, and the overall support of players and community members has become just as significant as the game itself. There’s a growing recognition that mental and emotional support is just as critical to success as physical performance. As such, clubs are becoming hubs for fostering connection, where players, coaches, and volunteers alike come together to support one another in ways that go far beyond the sport.
You don’t have to look too hard to see evidence of this across the VAFA. More and more clubs are bringing structure to the wellbeing space, with specific committees or coordinators, the league’s very own Player Assistance Program, and here at TYF, we enter this season off the back of our biggest year yet in terms of VAFA participants. Each example further highlights the importance of prioritising wellbeing alongside performance.
But what does this have to do with cones? Well, just like with footy, the cones are set up so you can nail the fundamentals. Mental health support and wellbeing initiatives serve as the cones in this context, they provide structure and guidance to ensure that players and club members are supported off the field. And when the cones are gone and it’s just you and a mate, standing there without the usual structure, that’s when the real work shows up. Without the cones, it’s all about connection, being able to hold each other up and talk through life with a sense of understanding and support.
So, whether it’s in footy or life in general, the cones are there to prepare us for whatever comes our way in the open field, even if it’s an unexpected bull!
You may find some of the resources on our website helpful and informative, but if you require any urgent support, you should contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If it’s an emergency, then call 000.
This article was first published in the Amateur Footballer VAFA Record