Practice at Home

The most important practice of all for a child can do is the practice which they do on their own or with family or friends. This cannot be emphasized enough. If we think of our GAA heroes, they are not necessarily born, they all have spent many thousands of hours of their childhood playing the sport they love.

After each session when a new skill is introduced or practiced the coach should set home practice for all the team. It is advisable to show the children different way of practicing the skill, perhaps against a wall or with a friend/ family member. Coaches should constantly encourage the importance of home practice.” Don’t practice until you get it right… practice until you cannot get it wrong “.

If children are to improve their football and hurling game, they need as much practice with the ball as

possible. The more football/sliotar contacts our players get, the more improvement there will be

in their handling and overall skills.

However, to improve and practice at home, it is essential that every child has their own football/ sliotar. Remind children that if they have a Birthday or if Christmas is coming up, to ask for a ball to practice. It is recommended that for each player to improve their skill level, they need a minimum of 200 ball/sliotar contacts per session.

During exam time exercise is one of the simplest things you can do to stay mentally sharp. 15 to 30 minutes of moderate to intensive physical activity can be useful to give you a good study break. Kicking or striking a ball against a wall can lower your heart rate and make you feel calmer. The main thing is to get the blood flow to the brain and help get oxygen to the brain and relieve tension. It is important to find that balance between studying and exercise. Avoid exercising too close to bedtime, however exercising earlier in the day will likely boost the quality of your sleep too.

Advice from top Footballers & Hurlers

Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny Hurler) – Practice on your weaknesses and on your weaker side. Even when you’re not training, every chance you get, hit a ball against a wall at home on your own.
Keith Higgins (Mayo Footballer) – Practicing at home gives you an opportunity to improve certain skills that wouldn’t be your strongest and prepare them to be used in training and games with more confidence
Ross Donovan (Sligo Footballer) – I love the opportunity to plan my own sessions to help me improve, this is something that challenges me to practice different things at home.
James Skehill – (Galway Hurler) – Practice striking right and left from varying distances for accuracy, you can’t do it enough of this, striking and catching against a wall.

Resources and Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVTu_4YDuBc (Hand passing and kick passing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIpMB2qny98 (Football Wall Ball game)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi5Cvf5VbRg (Hurling Pick up challenge)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAEyUv_W-rw (Football Hand pass)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGlXQMjWvnQ (Football Kick pass)