IN the sport of GAA, speed can be the deciding factor, giving players a competitive edge. Contrary to the belief that “you can’t teach speed,” sprint performance can be improved with focused training. Here are simple tips and tricks that i use all year round, including extra time in the off/pre-season to help players increase […]
THE real answer to the question of when you should start a pre-season is ‘it depends’. Several factors influence when you should start your pre-season, and the most important one is when your last season ended. Teams that progressed deep into the championship may need more recovery time, while others who exited early might be […]
IN Gaelic football, speed is a critical factor that can often be the difference between winning and losing. The greatest gains in speed performance come from high-quality training that emphasizes technical precision, high-intensity efforts, and long recovery periods. Essentially, speed training must be focused on quality over quantity. When it comes to sprinting, a player’s […]
PREPARATION in the week leading up to a championship plays a crucial role in determining team performance on game day. Competitive teams invest countless hours in training with the goal of peaking at the right time for championship, which is the business end of the season. From a physiological standpoint, players can typically achieve two […]
THE ASR method is something I have researched over the past 18 to 24 months. Combining MAS and MSS is a much more accurate way of conditioning and profiling the players for the championship ahead. I would only use ASR for the summer, mainly because I find it difficult to find true MSS in the […]
THE low block is a phrase that we are all now hearing but it has been around for the last number of years and it’s not just the Ulster teams using it. More recently, it’s Donegal that set up very defensively but does it have its place? A low block is a defensive strategy where […]
MAXIMAL Aerobic Speed (MAS) stands as a cornerstone in the realm of GAA fitness, offering a pathway to peak performance for players. While commonly utilized in professional sports, MAS has now become a focal point in the pre-season regimens of GAA coaches, presenting a versatile tool for enhancing team fitness year-round. The significance of MAS […]
RECOVERY is a crucial aspect of athletic performance, especially for Gaelic footballers who endure intense physical demands on the field. In the modern era, there isn’t much between the intensity of high level club teams and inter-county setup. Implementing effective recovery techniques can not only accelerate post-match or post-training recovery but also enhance overall performance and […]
IN a display that left spectators awestruck, Jim McGuinness showcased his aggressive coaching style as Donegal went head to head with Cork last weekend. The match, described by many as “men against boys,” unfolded as a tactical masterclass, with Donegal proving both physically and technically superior to their opponents. One of the key takeaways from […]
IN the world of sports, the pre-game ritual is a sacred time, a delicate balance between readiness and conservation of energy. As a coach, I’ve traversed the spectrum, from overzealous warm-ups to realising that less is often more when it comes to preparing players for the impending match. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for the ideal […]
