Picking Drill 2

Groups of 4
Sliotars: 1
Cones: 3
Skills: Roll Lift, Jab Lift, Soloing
Level of Effort: 2.5/5
Level of Complexity: 1.5/5

Set-up:

Three cones are set up in a line with about 7m between each cone. The players line up at cone A and a ball is placed at B.


Description:

Player 1 starts by running to B and roll lifting the ball, he turns and carries the ball back around cone A, turns and runs out to cone C dropping the ball at cone B as he passes.

He rounds cone C, runs back to A and jab lifts the ball at B. He continues in to A, rounds it and goes back out to B where he drops the ball for the next player to begin. He finishes the the run by sprinting back to A. Each player goes in turn.

Variations:

A) Player 1 starts with the ball and begins by running to B and dropping the ball there, back in around A, out to C jab lifting the ball at B on the way out, dropping the ball at C, back in around A (or B) out to C, roll lifting the ball and running in to give a pass to player 2 who repeats the shuttle run.

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Physical Drill 2

Groups of 4
Cones: 7 per group
Level of Effort: 4.5/5
Level of Complexity: 4/5

Set up 4 cones in a line about 5m apart as shown by cones A, B, C and D below. Each of these cones will be a station on the circuit. Outside of cone A place three more markers at distances of 7m, 14m and 21m. The set-up here shows three groups.



The circuit will be a combination of high intensity and low intensity exercises. The high intensity exercises will be at cones A and C and the low intensity exercises will be at cones B and D.

At A the players will sprint to the markers placed at 7m, 14m and 21m. In general the exercises at B will work the core and abs while those at D will work the upper body. The exercises at C will be varied but will require the players to work hard. Although still working the players get a chance to catch their breath at B and D.

There are three circuits of four exercises and each circuit will be repeated three times. This gives 3 x 4 x 3 = 36 working periods which will last about 30 seconds each. With short breaks between the stations and longer breaks between the circuits the full routine can be done in about 25 minutes.

There will be players at each station but we will outline what those initially lined up at cone A will do. The players who start at B, C and D will do likewise.

Description:

Starting at A the players will sprint in and out to the marker at 7m seven times. This run will take about 30 seconds. These runners provide the timing for the rest of the groups. When they are finished the run all the players will move to the next station. Those at A will move down to the station at cone B. After ten seconds or so they will start the exercise assigned at B. They will then move on and work through stations C and D.

After finishing at D the players will be back at A. This time the players will sprint in and out to the marker at 14m five times. Again this will take about 30 seconds after which they work through stations B, C and D again carrying out the same exercises as before.

The next (and final) time the players get back to A they will sprint in and out to the marker at 21m three times. Again this will take about 30 seconds. After this the players will work through stations B and C before finishing up at D for the last time again doing the same exercises.

These 12 stations (A, B, C and D by three times each) comprise one complete circuit. After a break of 90 seconds or so the players line up at their starting cones and begin the second circuit.

The players do the same runs as outlined above at A but do different exercises at B, C and D. Again there will be 12 stations on this circuit. After another 90 second break the players begin the last circuit which has the same runs and three more exercises.

Examples of exercises that can be carried out at each station are given below. Remember that in each circuit the players will carry out three 30 second sets of each of the exercises.

First Circuit:
B – Overhead hurley swing keeping arms up
C – Two footed side to side jump over hurley
D – Static plank

Second Circuit:
B – Squat (with hurley held over head)
C – Burpees (Out-in-and up)
D – Sit-ups

Third Circuit:
B – Press-ups
C – Knees in the gut
D – Double leg static lift

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Shooting Drill 3

Groups: 4
Sliotars: Lots
Cones: 4
Skills: Striking, Shooting, Controlling, Catching
Level of Effort: 3.5/5
Level of Complexity: 2.5/5

Set-up:

Break the players into four groups with a group at each of the four cones on the 45m lines as shown below. Divide all the balls between groups 1 and 4. Have two or three people behind the goals to feed the balls back out to cones 1 and 4.

Description:

The first players at 1 and 4 strike a diagonal ball across the middle of the field for the first players lined up at cones 2 and 3. The strike could be over a target such as a small goals. The strike should be a direct low strike in front of the player at the opposite cone.

The player facing the ball comes onto it and either catches or controls the ball. They then turn strike it over the bar; at 2 they will be shooting off their left and at 3 they will shoot off their right.

After striking the ball at each cone the players move on to the next cone. This can be either clockwise or anti-clockwise but all the players have to be moving in the same direction. The second players in each group repeat the drill.

The players should be working hard on this drill using it as a stamina as well as a striking drill. The ball should be struck on the run at all times and the players should run hard between the cones. With 16 to 20 players there should be little waiting time and players will only have a short break at each cone.

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Conditioned Game 1

Game: Avoid the Middle
Teams: 13 to 15 players
Sliotars: 6
Pitch: Full
Cones: Lots
Rules: Normal rules apply with one exception

Set-up:

Use lots of flexible dome markers to line out a large rectangle in the middle of the field. The ends should be about 40m from the goals and the sides about 25m from the sidelines.

Two teams line out with a players in every position except a centre back and centre forward. For example teams of 13 a side would line out as: goalkeeper, 3 in the full back line, 2 half backs, 2 midfielders, 2 half forward and 3 in the full forward line.

The two teams play a full length game that is started with a puck out. The game follows normal rules but the central area is an exclusion zone that the ball cannot land in. The ball must be played either straight down the wing or diagonally from one side of the field to the other. It cannot land in the central area.

If the ball is played into the exclusion zone by a team one of their opponents retrieves it to restart play.

Players are not prevented from entering the exclusion zone and can cross it to move from one side of the pitch to the other or to take up another position. They cannot receive the ball while they are in the zone.

Rationale:

For defenders the aim is to encourage them to clear the ball to the wings and not out the middle. If they are going across the field they must strike a lengthy clearance. Puck out will also be to the wings.

When attacking the aim of the game is to encourage long and direct striking into the full forward line and to avoid having the ball drop in "no man's land" on the 45m line for a centre back to simply mop up by dropping off the centre forward. Players are encouraged to strike the ball straight down the line into the corner.

If they are going to strike the ball diagonally they are forced to make sure they clear the centre back (the exclusion zone) and ensure that the ball reaches the full forward line.

The lack of space in the middle also limits the effectiveness of soloing the ball.