Tips on Coaching the Hurling Basics
TIP 1 - Grip, size and weight of hurley by "An fear ciúin"
Length and weight of hurley have a tremendous effect on the user. The traditional method of gauging
the length of the hurley by matching it to a player’s hip has proved inaccurate and unsuitable. Two
players of the same height can have a difference of 4” or 10 centimetres in hip height.
Children and beginners are inclined to go for a longer hurley, the perception being that “the longer the
hurley the longer the puck.” The truth is quite the opposite “long hurleys equals no puck” Correct length
and weight are more important than previously thought. Top players are now using hurleys 3 inches
shorter than their counterparts of the 1960s and 1970s. This year Stephen Lucey, the 6ft 2 in full back
from Limerick changed from a 36” hurley to a 34” hurley as he felt that he could quicken his stroke with
the shorter hurley. Time and space are very much reduced, tackling skills are improved; opportunities
are lost in a split second if the hurley is not completely manoeuvrable. The game is faster; there are less
man to man contests of strength. The hurley that suited those clashes has no bearing on today’s game.
Young children’s wrists and arms are light and fragile. They can only use hurleys that are light and
short.
To assess the correct length, a child should stand straight, hands by side, shoulders square, place the
hurley (bas on the ground) by child’s side, grasp the hurley in the dominant hand, the distance from tip
of bas to child’s hand position is the correct length for that child. If the child can use the hurley like a
sword with one hand, it is about the right weight. It is agreed now that most of the trouble with the
unorthodox grip comes from starting with hurleys that are too long and too heavy.
Approximately 87% of the population are dominant right with only one per thousand having equal
dominance. A player’s development will be severely impeded if he/she starts with nondominant
hand on top. Some respected coaches say there is up to 50% loss in potential.
Starting players correctly then is of utmost importance to the player’s development and
enjoyment as well as a club’s ability to raise playing standards.
Changing a player’s grip is difficult for player and coach but where both parties are willing it is certainly
possible and very rewarding. Babs Keating and John Fenton, both supreme stylists and legends of the
game, changed from unorthodox to orthodox grip.
Left-handed or cíotóg players need good models and sensitive coaches because they are the minority. A
coach should learn how to demonstrate left-handed for the two or three players in every panel e.g JJ
Delaney (Kilkenny), Paul Kelly (Tipperary) and Jerry Quinn (Clare). Nowadays every player will write
with their dominant hand, this is nearly the only safe way of determining hand dominance. Very small
hurleys used in a one-handed game with light air balls will help guarantee dominant hand on top.
Change:
It takes 3 weeks to change an old habit.
It takes 3 more weeks to learn the new skill.
It takes 3 further weeks for the new skill to become a habit.
It would take 9 weeks for the player to experience the full advantage of changing.
9 weeks seems forever to a child but in overall career, it’s a small price to pay for years of
enjoyment
TIP 2 - Hurling/Camogie Coaching
The previous tip stressed the importance of young players using the dominant hand.
A number of methods can be adapted to encourage children to change to the dominant hand
1. Use very small hurleys in one handed games with light balls to guarantee dominant hand on top.
2. The glove hurley – Superglue a right-handed football glove to the top of a light short hurley. The
player puts the dominant hand into the glove. Now he/she can only take the ball in the left hand. When
the ball is thrown up, the free hand must grip the hurley below thus becoming a habit and then
permanent.
3. The sword grip – This attachment works very similarly to the glove. It is attached onto the hurley
and can be taken off when needed. The Cumas hurling website (www.cumashurling.com) has a
custom made corrector for this purpose. The under-eight coach’s most important job is to ensure
that every player is using dominant hand on top, thus allowing mastery of hurley stroke.
It is certain that once a player has orthodox grip and correct length hurley, he/she can
advance technical skills very quickly and it can be done in their own time.
Players with unorthodox grip suffer a lot of frustration, expend more energy for less return, have a huge
reduction in choice and find their development stalled at a vital stage. A few really determined players
have learned to use their weak side but these are not to be taken as models. They would have had
much more satisfaction if they had changed but such is the power of habit. It is better to start the right
way.
Some right-handed players may initially favour striking on their left side. This is perfectly normal and
acceptable. With good practice of shooting and pulling on both sides they will achieve equal dominance
and as only children can put it “my weak side is my strong side now”. Similarly, some cíotóg players
may favour striking right-sided.
Ultimately we want all players to have full choice when faced with an opponent. One choice is no
choice. If I can only strike on one side, I can easily be stopped. Being able to strike right and left keeps
the defender guessing and gives more options.
TIP 3 - How to develop a swing
Safety is a huge factor in hurling for beginners. If children are exposed to danger too early, it will stunt
their development. The use of hurling aids at this stage is vital. Tyres, footballs, hurling ropes, rubber
bas hurleys will all help bring young players through the various stages and develop good technique and
confidence. It is very important that the swing or pull is started from the ready position not
the lock position. The coach’s ability to observe each child and give accurate, relevant and positive
feedback will be crucial.
Once the child has learned the mechanics of the swing, he/she must do it
(a) walking
(b) jogging
(c) running
left and right sides.
Weak side swing is more difficult for beginners and needs a lot of attention (without reducing
motivation). Players must be matched evenly in strength, size and speed to get the most out of the
routine.
Go Games with a first touch ball will give every player ample opportunity to become proficient in the
swing. Older players might use a bigger ball (e.g small basketball or replica football). This will ensure
better footwork, better body shape, more engagement and better connection. The player will be
rewarded when the ball becomes airborne and thus increase motivation.
Tip 4 Activities suitable for underage players
The following activities can be used depending on the level of development of the children in the group.
It is much more productive to have the children working with bean bags until they build up the physical
literacy skills to cope with a ball. It is important that the children experience a sense of achievement
and fun and that they are running, jumping, side-stepping etc at full pace with a bean bag with the
sense that they are playing the “real” game as played by Henry Shefflin rather than performing some
chaotic activity where balls are all over the place and children lack the ability to control their own
environment.
When balls are introduced, suitable balls (e.g the NURI soft size 3) which can be manipulated by small
fingers should be introduced when the group is competent at catching and solo running with the bean
bags.
Catching 1
20m
20m
This activity engages all the aspects of the FUNdamentals programme while at the same time it is a
learning process for real hurling game skills. It should be performed in a 20 m square with about 30
children but can easily be adapted in a smaller space for indoor activity.
Bean bag (ball) for every 2 children.
Hurley held short in strong hand.
Catching done with the non dominant hand.
Children running around and throwing within the square.
Emphasis – Encourage youngsters to throw the bean bag underarm but to catch down – the eagle’s
claw. This is a fundamentally important concept which encourages a pro active learning mode as
opposed to the ‘victim’ stance of catching underhand and using the body for comfort. Bean bag (ball)
should be caught high with the fingers.
Learning objectives –
Mobility
ABCs – running backwards, forwards, sideways, jumping, throwing, evasion skills etc
Co-operation (the only way I can make my partner look good is to deliver the proper throw; to win a
catching contest (pair with highest total) against the clock, both partners need to deliver good throws)
Peripheral vision (we can’t teach peripheral vision – it must be learned in the context of suitable
activities c.f how many coaches do we hear roaring “find or get into the space!”),
Concentration (important for any team game so this activity should be done in 1 minute bursts – that’s
about the limited concentration span of young children)
Enjoyment – by far the most important by product – if they don’t enjoy it, they won’t come back so
what’s the point of it all.
In addition to the above, you are creating a psychological climate where children are living the real
game and are lost in their minds.
The other plus in this activity is the risk versus caution factor as the youngsters move about the floor
avoiding bumping etc. That’s the excitement of it – you older peers got this climbing walls, trees and
gates but modern children can get this physical exercise buzz too without resorting to moving their
fingers across the playstation.
The next tip will develop the activity above. It won’t be rocket science for the coach but remember that
any change in an activity or drill is perceived by the child as a completely new activity.