Coaching Review: The Aerial Contest in Hurling

Welcome to the latest edition of the coaching review of the 2011 Championship season. 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 the aerial battle in Hurling.

Hurling mixes both long and short play, with the contest for possession key to the outcome of the game. Therefore the contest for possession – especially from set play situations such as the puck out or a free puck – gives a good indication of what way the game will go. Going back through the history of Hurling, certain players were renowned for their ability in the aerial contest. Coaches often identify the ability to win possession in the air as a key component of any ideal player – especially those in the half forward and half back lines.

However the aerial contest has become much more sophisticated; it is no longer a situation whereby a player in possession strikes the ball long and team mates and opposition must ‘fight it out’. From the point of view of the team in possession it has become common place to try to give the advantage to a team mate in the contest - either by playing the ball to the side, or in front of a team mate rather than landing it down on top of team mate and opposition to contest. The skills employed to win clean possession, knock the ball down to a team mate or play the ball into space to gather possession include:

Gaining Possession

• Ground Stop
• Chest Catch
• Roll Lift
• Overhead Catch
• Jab Lift
• Overhead Block
• Controlling a Moving Ball

Contesting Possession

• The Clash
• Frontal Ground Block
• Hook
• Frontal Air Block
• Ground Flick

There were a number of excellent examples of the aerial battle in last weekend’s Hurling quarter finals. In each game there were examples of players winning clean possession (either of the attacking or defending side), breaking possession deliberately to a team mate, or breaking the ball deliberately into space in order to take possession. To view examples from the All Ireland Quarter Finals click here

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

Technical Proficiency

• The body positioning to get into the appropriate position to contest possession
• The ball handling – hand passing to team mates in a better
• Batting or controlling the ball in the air
• Striking the ball into a favourable position to maintain possession

Tactical Prowess

For players on the ball:

• Choosing the correct type of hand pass or strike
• Positioning yourself against an opponent in order to be in the best position to win possession
• Deciding to break the ball for a team mate or attempt to win clean possession

Team Play

• Passing to a team mate in a better position to shoot
• Attacking players making runs off the ball to create space for team mates to shoot or to play the ball into

Physical Fitness

• Being physically fit enough to contest possession with an opponent
• Timing of the jump
• Being able to change the pace of the attack to take advantage of open spaces

Psychological Focus

• Being engaged in the game; being fully aware of the play to identify the cues from team mates and opponents
• Maintaining composure while under pressure from opponents

Participant Feedback

• Knowing which side to position yourself in order to win possession
• Being able to judge the playing conditions

When performed correctly point scoring can be very spectacular when performed from distance.
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.

Developing Aerial Play

In order to develop aerial contest skills – especially under pressure from opponents - 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.

February

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