Skills of the Game: The block down with John McIntyre

The block down is one of the most spectacular defensive skills in the game, requiring a combination of skill, bravery and timing.

A former inter-county hurler with Tipperary, McIntyre is now one of the most respected hurling coaches in the country, having twice managed Offaly. He is currently in charge of the Galway Senior team.

Here, John outlines some of the elements involved in executing the block down.

Keep your eye on the ball

“The block down should be one of the most basic skills of all, but it is incredible the amount of players, when they are trying to affect a block down, who don’t keep an eye on the ball. If you lose sight of the ball, it is a hopeful movement that you are making. Your eye has to be on that ball.”

Timing

“It is a split second movement and your timing has to be spot on. It doesn’t have to be scrum-half-type dive like in rugby; it is a flick. It is all about wrist work, timing, keeping your eye on the ball at all times and being in the right place at the right time. If you are too far away from your opponent there is no prospect of a block down in the first place. If you are too close it also makes things difficult, so you need to be able to shadow the player properly.”

A basic but vital skill

“People tend to focus on a great point from 90 yards or a goalkeeper making a great save as the defining moments of a match, but what about a crucial block down when a team is on the attack, they have an overlap or a hand pass is intercepted? So many games are won by someone getting his timing right and good wrist work in affecting a block down.”

“Modern coaching is gone back to the basics of hurling. People assume that players should be good at hooking, blocking, pointing sideline cuts, free-taking and striking. More and more now, coaches are going back to the basics, the fundamentals, because if you don’t have them right, you are not going to be in a position to win the game in the first place.”

Not just for defenders

“They say defence starts with the last line of attack and people often wonder about the merits of that. But to see a corner forward blocking down a corner back and forwards working over time to retrieve possession, is a massive lift to the back line.

“Often times, backs are looking down and their forwards are being blown away in 50-50 balls. It is a team game and that work ethic and the ability to turn over possession is all part and parcel of successful teams.”