Expert coaches Pat Price, Mark McManus and Sinead Luttrell will each make a presentation at the next Coaching the Coaches seminar which focuses on the issue of 'Planning to Plan' on Wednesday April 28th in the Rochestown Park Hotel. (7.30 to 9.30pm) Led by keynote speaker Julia Walsh, Director of Sports Studies and Physical Education, UCC, the two-hour event, which is sponsored by the Evening Echo and the Rochestown Park Hotel will focus on the importance of the need to plan, and planning is a skill that is an essential part of every coaches daily routine.

This coaching session will include presentations from Pat Price on 'Know your game, plan the same', Mark McManus on the fundamental movement skills and physical conditioning for coaches, Julia Walsh on planning sessions for mixed ability groups and Sinead Luttrell on the key components of session planning for novice coaches.

At the conclusion of each presentation there will be a question and answer session followed by breakout groups discussing the above topics.

If you are new to coaching or thinking about coaching there will also be a dedicated workshop on how to plan.

There will be a charge of €10 on the night to cover the cost of staging the event.

If you are interested in reserving your place at the event which is expected to be over subscribed please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and register your interest and a place will be reserved for you.

GAA Go Games are small-sided games with modified rules in both Hurling (Go Hurling) and Gaelic Football (Go Gaelic) called First Touch (under 8), Quick Touch (under 10) and Smart Touch (under 12).
For more information on GAA Go Games, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click here to view a GAA Go Games video

Checklist for GAA Go Games
 To constitute a Go Game all of the following must be present:
 There is full participation for all players
 Games are small sided
 Playing rules are modified to suit the developmental stages of the children
 Playing area is modified
 Playing equipment is modified where necessary
 Games are organised in a non-competitive way, i.e. no league tables

Benefits of Small-Sided Games
Experience and research has shown that small-sided games have a number of benefits from both a participation and player development perspective. This is supported by a significant amount of international research conducted in different countries in different sports where small-sided games are prevalent. This research overwhelmingly highlights the following benefits:
 Everyone gets to play for the full game
 Games are played in a fun environment with emphasis on improving skills
 Participants are not subject to the "win at all costs" approach
 More touches of the ball for all players throughout all areas of the pitch
 Player get more shots at goal
 Increased opportunities to develop decision making with more 1 v 1 situations
 The ball is in play for longer
 Players work harder therefore improving fitness
 Less perceived stress on players
 Less perceived pressure from coaches and parents
 The emphasis is on player development rather than winning or losing
 Children have more perceived competence leading to increased self esteem and player retention

GAA Go Games Playing Rules

Go Games Playing Rules are not set in stone. A list of recommended rules have been circulated to all counties so that they can select a county-wide approach to playing rules.
Click here to download Go Games playing guidelines

Why Change to GAA Go Games?

Go Games make Gaelic games a more enjoyable experience for children, leading to increased self esteem. They get more touches of the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more scoring opportunities. Players will be more active due to playing both attacking and defensive roles and will understand the importance of team play. Most importantly children will enjoy Gaelic games ensuring that they "Play and Stay" with the GAA.

What's changing?

From 2010 Go Games policy has been adopted up to and including 12 years of age. This means that all children will get meaningful playing time to develop the skills of our games in a challenging and fun environment.

"Fun at all Costs"

The philosophy of of fun, fair play and participation for all is central to the ethos of GAA Go Games. To further promote this philosophy, the GAA Respect Initiative promotes positive behaviour and ensures that an enriching environment is provided for the promotion and development of Gaelic games on and around the field of play.

A checklist for behaviour:
 Responsible
 Encouraging
 Supportive
 Positive
 Enabling
 Considerate
 Tolerant

GAA Go Games are small-sided games with modified rules in both Hurling (Go Hurling) and Gaelic Football (Go Gaelic) called First Touch (under 8), Quick Touch (under 10) and Smart Touch (under 12).
For more information on GAA Go Games, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click here to view a GAA Go Games video

Checklist for GAA Go Games
 To constitute a Go Game all of the following must be present:
 There is full participation for all players
 Games are small sided
 Playing rules are modified to suit the developmental stages of the children
 Playing area is modified
 Playing equipment is modified where necessary
 Games are organised in a non-competitive way, i.e. no league tables

Benefits of Small-Sided Games
Experience and research has shown that small-sided games have a number of benefits from both a participation and player development perspective. This is supported by a significant amount of international research conducted in different countries in different sports where small-sided games are prevalent. This research overwhelmingly highlights the following benefits:
 Everyone gets to play for the full game
 Games are played in a fun environment with emphasis on improving skills
 Participants are not subject to the "win at all costs" approach
 More touches of the ball for all players throughout all areas of the pitch
 Player get more shots at goal
 Increased opportunities to develop decision making with more 1 v 1 situations
 The ball is in play for longer
 Players work harder therefore improving fitness
 Less perceived stress on players
 Less perceived pressure from coaches and parents
 The emphasis is on player development rather than winning or losing
 Children have more perceived competence leading to increased self esteem and player retention

GAA Go Games Playing Rules

Go Games Playing Rules are not set in stone. A list of recommended rules have been circulated to all counties so that they can select a county-wide approach to playing rules.
Click here to download Go Games playing guidelines

Why Change to GAA Go Games?

Go Games make Gaelic games a more enjoyable experience for children, leading to increased self esteem. They get more touches of the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more scoring opportunities. Players will be more active due to playing both attacking and defensive roles and will understand the importance of team play. Most importantly children will enjoy Gaelic games ensuring that they "Play and Stay" with the GAA.

What's changing?

From 2010 Go Games policy has been adopted up to and including 12 years of age. This means that all children will get meaningful playing time to develop the skills of our games in a challenging and fun environment.

"Fun at all Costs"

The philosophy of of fun, fair play and participation for all is central to the ethos of GAA Go Games. To further promote this philosophy, the GAA Respect Initiative promotes positive behaviour and ensures that an enriching environment is provided for the promotion and development of Gaelic games on and around the field of play.

A checklist for behaviour:
 Responsible
 Encouraging
 Supportive
 Positive
 Enabling
 Considerate
 Tolerant

Fundo Hurling Programme
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 2
Physical Literacy
Fundamental Movement Skills

ABCs
Agility: Balance: Coordination
Moving in different directions Soloing with beanbag Using hands and legs at the same
time in an orderly, controlled
fashion
Moving off either foot Keeping beanbag on hurley,
speed while turning
S = Speed (feet, hands, eye, mind, reaction)

RJTs
Running: Jumping: Throwing:
Forward, Backward, Sideways Take off & Landing Distance, Trajectory
Variable speeds -Off one foot
-Off two feet
Accuracy, Timing
Acceleration and deceleration Turning & Stopping -One-handed small ball bean bag
CPKS
Catching: Passing: Striking:
One-handed:
Down Catch –Aggressive
Up Catch – Passive
Throwing:
One-handed
On the ground static large ball
On the ground static small ball
Hurley flick pass From the hand
In the air
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator

1.
The traditional way of introducing children to hurling seemed to me to be very
unproductive. It isn’t that the ground hurling isn’t important but it’s too
demanding for the young child. The coach and the player experience failure
way too early. We know now that we must build from success and so this new
programme evolved based on the work done by Terence McWilliams with his
fundamental movement skills for young children. We have added the hurley
and replaced the ball with a much more compliant bean bag.
2.
Everywhere I go coaches ask me how they can change players who have their
weak hand on top. The “sword-grip” and the “glove hurley” are very helpful
and give a degree of success. But why should so much time and energy be spent
on remedial work? As a result of wide consultation it is clear now that the
length and weight of the hurley lies at the heart of the problem.
3.
In single-handed sports like tennis everyone uses the dominant hand (90% right,
10% left) to gain full control of the racket and execute their best shots.
4.
In this programme we start with one-handed grip: dominant hand (writing
hand) grips hurley well down the handle until child has total control (using
thumb). This feeling of control is our first feeling about the game and t must be
successful. By holding the hurley in the dominant hand we are confident that
this will become the permanent grip
5.
Wiggle the hurley up and down quickly with an almost straight arm (use other
arm for balance). Coach checks every child for correct grip and direction of bas
(turned out).
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 4
6.
There are ten lines of five markers, 1m apart.
You will need markers in 5 colours in every line. Do not have same colour
beside eachother in adjoining lines.
Three children is the ideal number in a line. Two is ok but might be too
demanding. You will need at least 10 beanbags. The tetra shhaped bag is the
most suitable for small children (1st & 2nd class)
7.
Running up and down the road wiggling hurley
Coach demonstrates.
On the whistle first person in every line runs down middle of the road (between
cones) wiggling the hurley.
Coach observes without stopping activity gives feedback (positive), corrects
grip.
Children want to race, promise them races later, now we want control of the
hurley.
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 5
8.
When children have mastered middle of the road we move to weaving in and
out through lines of cones.
9.
Children now line up behind cones
Coach demonstrates weaving run while wiggling the hurley all the time.
Check: some children may be holding hurley too tightly and experience cramp
in the hand a firm gentle grip is best
10.
When they have gained mastery of that, it’s time to introduce the ‘Bean Bag’.
Coach demonstrates middle of the road run with bean bag
Key teaching point: if the bag falls to the ground the child collects it with the
free hand or ball hand (the hurley hand stays)
11.
Don’t worry if bean bags fall off early this is natural and picking bag off ground
with free hand is a skill in itself. Don’t see this as failure.
Golden Rule:
Dominant hand = hurley hand
Other hand = Catching hand
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 6
12.
Catching
As in point 10) children run down the middle of the road but at the end of the
road they flick the bag up in the air and jump to catch. They then run back and
give bag to partner.
Coach Demonstrates
Initially all we want is the confidence to have a go,
Key teaching points
“Eagles Claw” hand shape
It’s the aggressive down catch rather than passive up catch.
As children improve encourage them to jump off one foot and leave the ground
altogether (this takes time)
As with every routine coach’s judgement of how long to spend is vital
Too long leads to boredom
Too short no skill gain
Rough guide 10 chances for each child.
13.
Weave run with bean bag
Coach demonstrates
Coach is looking for a nice smooth run, nice balance easy control. Arm almost
straight
For some children the arm bends and the hurley comes up near the face
leading to an awkward running style.
Key here is to relax drop down hand and hurley and run freely.
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 7
14.
Forward Circle on 3rd cone
[As in 13] Coach demonstrates
When player comes to the 3rd cone she must do a full circle facing forward all
the time before continuing her weaving run
Bag may fall off.
Key skills: acceleration, deceleration, complex footwork.
15.
One leg hopping in the middle of the road
Out on one leg
Return on the other.
16a.
Side Skipping
Coach Demonstrates
Children face coach who stands at one side of play area holding a hurley over
his head. Children are encouraged to watch the coach's hurley and still be
aware of the beanbag while skipping sideways down the middle of the road and
back again.
16b.
Catching
Flicking the bag into the catching hand while moving can be added to almost
any exercise when you feel the children are ready. this adds to the excitement
and enjoyment.
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 8
17.
ZigZag
Coach Demonstrates
Place left foot at cone on left side of the “road”
Zig to right, Zag to left etc.
When they begin to glide over the ground you’ll know they have the skill.
Coach may have to demonstrate again for some children.
For the return cross to the other side and work the opposite cones
18.
Racing Cars
Full speed racing (bag on hurley)
Middle of the Road
Out to 3 stop reverse to 2
Out to 4 stop reverse to 3
Out to 5 race home
Key Skill: stopping, reversing, full speed.
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 9
19.
Rest Exercises
It will not be possible for the children to keep moving all the time so when
appropriate (every 10-15mins) coach should introduce some less strenuous
exercises.
A.
Children work in pairs standing 2-3m apart facing each other eg.
Child places bag on hurley and flicks (silent) to her partner who catches it
(down catch) places it on her hurley and flicks it back.
B.
Flick bag into the air and “catch” it on the hurley.(10 each).
C.
Flick bag over your head spin around and “catch” it on the hurley (10 each).
20.
Swallows
Swallows is a game that tests all the skills we have practised so far.
Swallows is a high risk game and the rules must be clear.
The swallow is one of the most agile birds of the air able to fly at tremendous
speed, twisting and turning, darting through narrow openings to feed the young
and catching flies on the wing.
Their judgement is brilliant. Even at the highest speed they never collide.
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 1
The swallow is an ideal hurling model.
The cones come in 5 colours so there will be five colours in every line. If we
place the cones so that a given colour is in a different place in every line it will
allow us to play swallows.
e.g. Mary is in front of the yellow cone so on the whistle Mary solos to every
yellow cone on the floor until whistle sounds again. She then returns to her
“nest”.
Progressions:
(a) Count the number of cones she passed e.g. 7
(b) Flick the ball from hurley to hand as she passes her colour:
Count how many “flies” she has going back to her nest.
Paudie Butler – National Hurling Coordinator 1

A workshop by Paudie Butler on fundamental movements aimed at children from 6-12 years will  take place in Na Piarsaigh on Monday the 22nd of February 2010.Paudie is the National Hurling Co-Ordinator and has carried out previous workshops for Coiste Oiliuna that have been hugely successful. For anyone that hasn't seen Paudie conducting a session its a must see and for those that have seen Paudie there is always something new to pick up. In the news section of this site there is an outline of the drills that Paudie will do, called fundamentals of hurling. If coaches wish they can print this off and bring it to Na Piarsaigh so that they will get a better understanding of the drills as Paudie is going through them.

Numbers are limited so please contact Paudie O'Brien @ 0867725411 to book a place.

Motiv8 Presents

Developing the Confident Performer

Venue: Nemo Rangers GAA Club

Date: Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Time: 7pm - 10pm

Cost: €50

Who is this seminar aimed at?

This seminar is aimed at coaches and competitors from all sports, at all levels, who want to learn more about how different mental strategies, techniques and approaches can be employed to develop confidence. Areas like visualization, body language, positive coaching, the importance of correct preparation and the impact of self-talk will be examined and practical examples provided for how each can be used to build confidence levels.

About Motiv8

Motiv8 is Ireland's leading performance company specialising in team development, mental training, leadership and physical conditioning. We currently work with numerous teams and individuals, at all levels, across a wide range of different sports and endeavor to deliver a world class service to all the people we come into contact with (see www.motiv8.ie for further details).

Facilitators

Enda McNulty

Enda is regarded as one of Ireland’s top performance consultants in both business and sport settings.He currently works with some of the country’s most accomplished athletes, including a number of members of the Irish Rugby Squad, Professional Soccer Players and Olympic Competitors. On a personal level, Enda has been a member of the Armagh Senior Football team for fifteen years and has enjoyed a successful sporting career, winning one All-Ireland medal, one All-Star award and six Ulster titles. Enda is also a highly regarded business consultant and has worked with a number of renowned companies in Ireland, Europe and the USA. Enda also serves as the Performance Consultant on RTE’s popular Operation Transformation series.

Kevin Clancy

Kevin is a Sport Psychologist/Mental Coach. He has a wide range of experience in the field, having consulted with a variety of athletes from a number of different sports, including professional rugby, golf, soccer, inter-county GAA, athletics, boxing, tennis, darts, kayaking, cricket, pole vaulting, rally driving and handball. He is currently the Sport Psychology consultant to Swim Ireland’s High

Performance Programme in Dublin. Previously, Kevin worked with IMG, the leading sports marketing firm in the world, at one of their academies in Florida. Here, he worked alongside some of the leading performance consultants in the field and got a unique perspective into what it takes to realise potential at all levels of sport.

Justin McNulty

Justin played for Armagh for ten years, winning an All Ireland medal in 2002 and 5 Ulster titles. He has managed and coached GAA successfully at senior club level and was recently appointed trainer of the Armagh Senior Football Team.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We look forward to seeing you there!

Skills Development Plan 2007 Tomas de Nuadht

Vision

To develop the full potential of every player and team in hurling and football in order to compete successfully  in ‘A’ championships in all grades.

Mission

Establish a Hurling and Football Development Center and produce skilled and competent players and teams on a consistent basis over the next 5 years.

Objectives

Establish one best way of playing hurling and football in consultation with experts.

Use a coaching manual to train all club coaches in all grades.

Define and agree new definition of success , quality of performance , progress of players and teams.

We must not use the measure of, number of and attendance at training sessions, games played and won.

Define under 8 - 16 as a development / learning period for players, giving every player equal attention and consideration, future adult player , official , supporter , sponsor , build inclusiveness, belonging, loyalty, commitment, pride.

Design and implement an individual development programme for every player and team , setting measurable targets.

Appoint overall coach/co-ordinator for both hurling and football , ensure consistency.

Break down coaching programme into key development elements and establish a set of challenges in each grade at the end of year ; under 8-10-12-14-16.

Provide certificates of achievement on completion of programme signed be top coaches / players.

Build a close relationship with local school to ensure consistency of approach , home , school and club.

Provide competitive opportunities for every player in own age group - exceptions to play on year above.

Aim for participation in all 'A' grades by 2010

Key Elements

Hurling Skills

• Skills
• Striking
• Lifting
• Hooking
• Blocking
• Passing
• Soloing
• Doubling
• Controlling
• Catching
• Accuracy
• Consistency
• Variety

Key Elements

Football Skills

• Skills
• Catching
• Kicking form the hands
• Kicking form the ground
• Lifting
• Solo-Running
• Passing
• Evading
• Tackling

Controlling

• Accuracy
• Consistency
• Variety

Knowledge

• Rules of the Game
• Pitch Dimensions
• Referees , Linesmen, Umpires
• History of Association , County , Club
• Playing Gear
• Equipment , Hurleys, Sliothers
• Positional Play
• Playing in a Position
• Line and Linkages
• Colleagues Expectations
• Player and Position , Best Fit
• Basic Rules
• Expected Contribution
• Likely Outcomes

Year-end Challenges U14 Hurling

• Drive ball 50m Left/Right Hand -10 times
• Cut ball - 30m off ground -10 times
• Hit ball over bar 30m left right and center frees and from hand - 6 times
• Pick ball 6 ways - 3 times
• Keep ball in air 10 times - 3 sessions
• Hook / block / catch - 10 times

Year-end Challenges U14 Football

• Kick ball over bar form hands and ground 30m left / centre / right / two feet
• Catch ball off ground 10 times form 30m with colleague
• Pick and solo 100m - 6 times -15 secs.
• Solo and inter pass with colleague -100m x 6 - 20 secs.
• Keep ball in air 10 times with colleague and interchange

Certificate of Achievement

• Under 8-10-12-14-16
• Complete Challenges - Individually Designs
• Certificate of Achievement - Signed and Presented by a top Hurler / Footballer

Aim

• Unconscious Competence in all key skills

Sponsorship

• Based on development and submission of a plan Euro x per year
• Sponsor to be obtained locally for 5 year period

A Review 2004 - 2006

Commitment form Mentors/ Players

No. of Teams Fielded

No. of Games Played

Facilities Developed

Support for Teams

Championships Won

County Players Produced

Quality Adult Club Players

Player Retention Juvenile to Adult

Current Adult Teams

Adult / Juvenile Links

Future Prospects

Coach Quotations 1. 'First we will be Best, then we will be First'. 2. 'The more I practice the luckier I get'. (Garry Player, South African golfer) 3. Pursuit of Excellence 'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act..... But a habit'. (Terry Orlick) 4. 'I never drop a player I only make changes. (Bill Shankly) 5. 'Fail to prepare “prepare to fail'. 6. 'Whether You Believe You Can or You Can't “ You're Right!' (Henry Ford) 7. 'A boy comes to me with a spark of interest. I feed the spark and it becomes a flame. I feed the flame and it becomes a fire. I feed the fire and it becomes a roaring blaze.' (Legendary boxing coach Cus D'amato) 8. 'Always play a game with somebody, never against them. Always win a game, never beat an opponent'. 9. 'The coach's job is twenty percent technical and training, and eighty per cent inspirational. He may know all there is to know about tactics, technique and training, but if he cannot win the confidence and comradeship of his pupils he will never be a good coach'. (Franz Stampfl, coach) 10. 'There is no bad coaching “ only bad coaches!' 11. 'Success is important but defeats are valuable'. 12. 'Good players without a good coach make a mediocre team.' 13. To play the game is great to win the game is greater But to love the game is the greatest of all.' (Plaque in lobby of Philadelphia Palestra) 14. 'Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Act as though it were impossible to fail.' (Dorthea Brandt) 15. Teaspain do'n aos óg agus imróig shiad nios fearr. (show the youth and he will play better) 16.Teaspean an t-oilteacht dom agus imróig mé níos fearr. (show me the skill and I will play better)

Tackling and Conditioned Games Workshop

Brian Cuthbert completed a football coaching workshop in Mallow on the 12th October 2009. The areas of focus were tackling and modified games. Before a large attendence, the session was very well received. Below are some of the games and drills which Brian used on the night.   Warm Up: 1) In 2’s, handpassing down a channel – normal running, lateral running, backwards  running et                     2) 2 teams, possession game, chasing games (try to utilise games that are fun based, make them up yourself if necessary   Near hand Tackle Teaching Points: Head – focus on the ball, not on the player.                                   Feet – get level with opponent and step across                                   Hands – Near hand flick, outside hand in the air. Drill 1: Down the channel, walking, jogging and finally sprinting. Drill 2: 1 v 1 +1 – tackler gets support to pick up the loose ball. Drill 3: Rob Roy (4 inside a square, 4 outside. On the whistle outside players attempt a n.h.t. on the inside player) Drill 4: Tackle Alley (solo towards goal, attempt to shoot before receiving a n.h.t) Drill 5: Nht out and back, score then defend

Modified Games

All of the following games are based on tackling and defending both as an individual and as a group.

Game 1: Kick it, run it ( 4 v 4, team kick possession back to opposition who try to cross with ball over the opponent’s line. The coach counts down how long team can hold out the opposition) Game 2: Cross it over ( 3 v 3 on one side, 3 v 3 in a square opposite. Team must pass to each other twice before they attempt to move the ball to their teammates in the opposite square who must do the same) Game 3: 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 (players are divided between backs and forwards. Forwards are called by coach to collect a ball on the 30m line. They must work together to get a goal, defenders attempt to work together to stop the score. Repeat non stop for 1 minute) Game 4: Defending forwards (any number divided between backs and forwards. Ball is kicked into the playing area – backs move when ball touches the ground, backs can only move when forwards get possession. Backs attempt to move ball out through gates, forwards attempt to defend and stop defenders coming out). Game 5: 3 5s (5 v 5 v5. Reds, greens, yellows –reds and green attempt to keep possession to make 10 passes to count as a score, yellows must learn when to double or triple up to regain possession. The colour that loses the ball becomes the tacklers. Play up to 5 points) Game 6: 3 v 3 plus 2 goalkeepers ( 3 players attack a goal under pressure from 3 markers, they attempt to score. If ball is saved or intercepted the other 3 attack the opposite goal. Game continues until a goal is scored. Immediately 6 new players join in) Game 7: Keep the ball ( reds v blues, red player must solo through a gate and bring the ball to a red player on the other side. This red must bring it back through the gate and try to give it to another red on the starting side. Blues will attempt to tackle and regain possession. Game will continue for 4 attacks each)

The Level One Coaching Syllabus is not yet operational in Cork but we expect to be ready to go in March 2010. This course is divided into 3 strands : i.      Level One - Youth ii.     Level One - Adolescent iii.   Level One - Adult Candidates may choose one strand to progress to Level One accreditation in a sector and in time complete all 3 specialist strands. Further details from Mick O'Shea, Joe Kennefick or Club Development Officer.

Douglas Community School is running a Sport Psychology course for coaches, managers, players & athletes. The Psychology of Sport Performance course is designed to assist individual & team coaching and the individual performance of participants by applying mental fitness techniques. Tuesday 8.00 - 9.30 p.m. Duration          10 weeks Cost                €90 This course is part of the Adult Education Programme at Douglas Community School.  Enrolment takes place at the Adult Education Office or on the Enrolment night - 13^th January at 7pm.   The course starts on 26^th January 2010. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Phone   (021) 4294208