Coaching Review - Team Play in Hurling

Each week an example of good play from either the Hurling or Gaelic football Championships will be examined from a coaching point of view. This week, we will focus on Team Play in Hurling.

The technical or physical abilities of a player are often used to distinguish the very best players from all others in Gaelic games. Not surprisingly, a large proportion of training time is dedicated to developing these abilities. However, a less obvious quality that is of equal importance is that of Team Play.

Team Play is the ability to anticipate movements and synchronise who goes where during play or set piece situations. Team Play involves combination play with team mates to:

1. Increase the chances of scoring when in possession
2. Decrease the chances of opponents scoring when not in possession

There were numerous fine examples of Team Play from last weekends Minor and Senior All-Ireland Final games, including the lead up to Michael Brennan's goal for Kilkenny Vs Clare (Minors), Padraig Walsh’s fine point for Kilkenny Vs Clare (Minors), Aidan Fogarthy’s point for Kilkenny Vs Tipperary, Lar Corbett’s second goal for Tipperary Vs Kilkenny and Seamus Callanan’s point for Tipperary v Kilkenny. In each example it is possible to identify how team mates were able to anticipate each others moves increasing the chances of scoring. This is especially evident in Lar Corbett’s second goal, where Noel McGrath chooses to play a quick hand pass inside first time in order to put Lar Corbett into space to score a great team goal. To view these examples of good team play visit the video room here.

From a coaching point of view, developing Team Play involves:

• Team Plans
• Anticipation
• Creating Space in Attack
• Denying Space in Defence
• Combination/Support Play
• Communication

When analysing the scores above it is possible to identify each of the areas of the OTú Coaching Model in the play:

Technical Proficiency

• Players being technically proficient enough to perform the skills of the game, for example the striking skills involved in the lead up to and taking of all the scores; Noel McGrath’s catch and then hand pass to Lar Corbett directly prior to his shot on goal.

Tactical Prowess

For players on the ball:

• Knowing when to take the ball into possession or play the ball first time
• Choosing the correct pass and the correct time to pass or shoot
• Shielding the ball from the defender when in possession
• Read cues from team-mates and opponents to judge the timing of the pass or shot
• Perform the skill in pressure situations

For players off the ball:

• Correct positioning in order to open up the space for themselves or their team-mates to receive a pass or take a shot.
• Correct timing of the runs to make themselves available to receive the pass from the team-mate on the ball.

Team Play

• Recognising the movement of team mates, creating space for each other to receive the pass, perform the pass or have a shot on goal.
• Supporting your team-mate when they are in possession.
• Passing the ball to a team mate who is in a better position to score

Physical Fitness

• Being able to change the pace of the attack to take advantage of open spaces created by good team play
• Being physically fit enough to get into the correct positions to receive the pass or take the shot
• Displaying high levels of agility, balance and coordination to loose your marker to receive the pass or create the space to perform the pass or have a shot on goal.
• Having the required movement ability to stride into possession
• Psychological Focus
• Being engaged in the game; being fully aware of the play to identify the cues from team mates and opponents
• Maintaining composure to play while under pressure from an opponent, and choose the correct option

Playing Facts

• Choosing when to take the ball into possession and when to release
• Understanding the principles of attack and defence to increase penetration, or change the point of attack

When performed correctly Team Play adds greatly to a team’s armourary. As can be seen from the above, each of the different aspects of the OTú Coaching Model interact together to create good play. For more information on the OTú Coaching Model and each of its constituent parts click here.

February

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