Technical Proficiency

Technical Proficiency is the ability to perform the underlying techniques of the game accurately, consistently and at match tempo.

Gaelic games are among the most technically demanding games in the world. Hurling and Gaelic football stand apart from other sports as, to play the game well, all players - regardless of playing position - are required to master the techniques of the game.

Performing the techniques of Hurling and Gaelic football requires excellent hand-eye, eye-foot and hand-foot coordination. The best players are also able to perform the techniques using both sides of their body - their left and right hands and their left and right feet.

While most players will largely adhere to the principles which underpin proper technique, some will modify their style to suit their own make-up. This explains why there are an almost infinite number of possible variations of the accepted technique. Many factors influence the execution of any technique in a pressure situation; weather conditions, opposition, position on the pitch all influence how a player performs. These demands force players to modify their technique to suit the particular conditions. For this reason, it is important for coaches to determine whether any particular variation is basically sound or inherently weak as distinct from labelling anything as right or wrong or attempting to get every player to adhere to the "perfect" technique. The will also help avoid "paralysis from analysis" i.e. where the biomechanical aspects of technical performance are over-analysed.

Developing Technical Proficiency

Developing the techniques of Gaelic games requires practice. It is the role of the coach to ensure that the activities that take place during coaching sessions are pitched at an appropriate level - high enough to challenge a players’ technical ability, but not so high that the player does not have a realistic chance of success.

This is not an easy job for any coach, and even the most experienced coaches can get it wrong from time to time.

Activities to Develop Technical Proficiency

There are a number of different types of activity that can be used to develop Technical Proficiency, both on an individual and a collective basis. The most important element in developing Technical Proficiency is that players have the ability to perform the technique in game like situations. Traditional coaching focussed on the development of technique in an isolated environment prior to exposing players to external factors. However coaches that follow a Games Based approach to coaching ensure that players are exposed to different types of games, to develop techniques in an appropriate environment. While drills provide an organised structure for gradually developing technique, fun games and modified games should be organised in tandem with drills.

Ball and Wall activities

A (Hurling) wall, handball alley or any basic wall can provide for a range of different activities that a player can perform individually or in groups, often outside of structured coaching sessions. These activities develop Technical Proficiency by maximising the number of ball contacts in a training period, and as the only equipment required are a (Hurley), ball and a wall, they can be practiced in many places and at almost any time.

Technical Drills

Technical Drills focus on the performance of the underlying techniques of the game. There are 3 types of drill which require players to practice the techniques in progressively more challenging situations:

1. Basic Drills
2. Intermediate Drills
3. Advanced Drills

Fun Games

Fun Games are activities which further help to develop Technical Proficiency, while exposing players to limited decision making (Tactical Prowess). From a Technical Proficiency point of view, Fun Games challenge the players to perform the technique in a variety of situations. Fun Games allow players to develop positional sense, but limit the type of opposition that players encounter as they continue to develop. Players must make decisions about where and when to move as in a real ‘game’ situation, and are encouraged to develop an awareness of space and time.

Fun Games help to develop the characteristics of Tactical Prowess and Team Play and, as such, should form a large portion of any coaching session.