Coaching Review: Support Play in Gaelic Football

Welcome to the latest Coaching Review as part of the 2011 All Ireland Championships. Each week an example of good play will be examined from a coaching point of view. This week, we will focus on Support Play in Gaelic Football.

Gaelic Football is a dynamic game in which the player who has possession of the ball must always have several options to pass the ball. The more options a player has, the less likely he is to lose possession. Therefore, it is necessary for players without the ball to quickly help the player with the ball. All round support involves players providing support from both in front and behind, creating more and better opportunities for the player in possession. This in turn makes it more difficult for defenders to identify which option a player in possession will take.

There were numerous fine examples of Support Play in last weekend’s games in both defence and attack which led scoring opportunities.

Click here to view these examples of Support Play in Gaelic Football.

From a coaching point of view, when we refer to width and depth in either attacking or defensive play we are talking about support play. Good depth provides the player on the ball with all around support so that there are options to play the ball forward, back, while depth allows options to either side. It is also necessary to consider that the purpose of the support player might be to cause uncertainty in the defence, and provide ‘dummy’ runs. The more options a player has, the less likely they will lose the ball. Good support play is achieved when support is within an achievable passing distance and comes at an appropriate angle and speed, depending on how much pressure there is on the ball.

When analysing the scoring opportunities 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 taking possession of the ball, through either catching, or lifting.
• Kicking off either hand, often from difficult positions and under pressure from opponents.
• Hand/Fist passing off either hand

Tactical Prowess

For players on the ball:

• Knowing when to take the ball into possession or pass away to a team mate through either striking the ball or using the hand pass
• Shielding the ball from the defender when in possession.
• Choosing the correct option from the range of support players

For players off the ball:

• Knowing when to time the run to ensure they are in the optimum position to take possession.
• Knowing when to time the support run, and choosing the correct angle to best support the player in possession

Team Play

• Passing the ball to a team mate who is in a position to score, or create a score.
• Team mates moving in a variety of directions, with a view to creating space allowing time for the player in possession to score
• Setting up the play either in centre field or the half back/forward line

Physical Fitness

• Being physically fit enough to get into the correct positions; having the required movement ability to stride into possession. Good movement is crucial to providing support. Good mobility involves moving swiftly and taking up new positions in support of the ball. This involves forward, backwards and sideways movement to get into a position (either in front of, behind or square of the man in possession) to take a pass.

Psychological Focus

• Maintaining composure to play while under pressure from an opponent, and choose the correct option.
• Recycling into support positions when the player in position has chosen another option

Participant Feedback

• Choosing when to take the ball into possession, as well as when and where to release possession.
• Knowing the abilities of team mates to move into the appropriate position to create the support opportunities

Developing Support Play

In order to develop support play, it is necessary to design practice activities that expose players to team mates and opponents. The best method of developing support play is through the progression of games, from modified, through small sided and finally full sided games.

• Modified Games

Modified Games are practices that focus on different aspects of team play through games. They are often undertaken in a defined space, e.g. a grid. Modified Games apply the skills learned to team situations. Players must make decisions on where and when to move to combine as an effective unit as in a real ‘game’ situation. Such games encourage awareness of time and space but also help develop specific characteristics of Team Play, e.g. support play and communication. By not limiting players to particular positions the coach allows each player to develop greater decision making skills and tactical appreciation for different aspects of play.

Many variations may be used, depending on the objective of the game, e.g. 2 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 2, 3 v 3. This type of game can be used to develop the ability to retain possession (passing sequences), to create or reduce space (3 v 2 etc) or to develop contact or reaction skills. Modified Scoring Systems (e.g. target scores or time limits) and Modified Playing Rules (e.g. no solo, hand pass only) can be used to focus on particular techniques or aspects of decision making.

• Small Sided Games

Small Sided Games are an extension of fun games and grid games but are basically smaller versions of full games. Smaller numbers are used to ensure plenty of ball contact for all involved. Positions may be used but it is advisable to allow individual players to play in as many different positions as possible over time.

Tactical Prowess and Team Play are further developed but with more specific relevance to full sided games as the movement and open play mimic aspects of full Hurling and Football.

Games such as 7/9/11/13-a-side games provide players with the opportunity to encounter challenges similar to those found in full-sided games, however due to the smaller numbers and/or restricted playing area, the number of times a player can be in possession, or contesting possession with an opponent is increased. Games such as Backs and Forwards, provide players with experience of playing in position, with the ball being played into these positions regularly and frequently (and from positions out the field where the ball would usually come from) in order that the players can develop their position specific awareness and skill.

• Full-Sided Games

Ultimately players train to play full-sided games. Once the earlier progressions have been achieved, it is vital that players prepare for full-sided games by playing full-sided 15-a-side games with players in appropriate positions. In progressing towards this stage Backs and Forwards games are an effective method of developing positioning and allow the ball to be played into an area more frequently, thereby increasing pressure and optimising training time. It is still possible to develop specific aspects of the Technical, Tactical or Team Play components of play through employing modified playing rules and/or playing area.

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.

May

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