IN this week’s article, we will delve into the mechanisms the goalkeeping coach can use to improve their coaching ability both on and off the field. As the goalkeeping coach it is your role to act as an assistant to the goalkeeper. You have certain expectations to complete in regard to ensuring the goalkeeper is […]
PATRICK MORRISON: The young goalkeeper
By Patrick Morrison CHILDREN are curious and insightful individuals who explore and learn through the process of trial and error just as nature intended. Their world is loaded with all kinds of imaginary, games and toys. All a child wants to do is explore their world through the medium of play. And what child has […]
SHANE RICE: “Soft” isn’t weak: What great coaching really looks like
EVERY club has heard it: “Players today are softer.” It’s an easy line to throw out when a session dips or a result goes against you. But in Gaelic football, that thinking can hold coaches back. Modern players live in a different world; school, work, social media, long travel and they adapt to the demands […]
PATRICK MORRISON: Self taught is best taught
By Patrick Morrison OVER my football career I have played in many positions. From defence to forwards I have experienced playing in every position possible on the field. In my later years from u-16 up to senior I played at midfield until I was 24, at which time I took a four-year sabbatical from football. […]
A different ball game: Ciarán McKeever’s concept of goals and fun
Former Armagh captain and All-Ireland winning coach Ciarán McKeever has developed a three versus three game for enjoyment and development. He outlined his concept to Michael McMullan PLAYERS love scoring goals. That feeling when the ball hits the net sends a surge of energy through the body. Ciarán McKeever recognises it in the kids he […]
SHANE RICE: The truth about recovery – Forget gadgets, focus on the fundamentals
But here’s the reality: those tools, while useful at times, are not the magic fix we’ve been led to believe. In fact, the biggest misconception in Gaelic football recovery is treating it like a 30-minute ‘tick-the-box’ session, rather than a 24/7 lifestyle choice. Recovery isn’t a single session “Have you done your recovery?” is a common […]
PATRICK MORRISON: What’s my situation?
By Patrick Morrison THE role of the goalkeeper in Gaelic football has vastly increased over the last 25 years. The skillset of the modern-day goalkeeper has expanded exponentially as well as the levels of performance they are expected to complete their roles to. Even so, the fundamental skills and abilities that a goalkeeper is expected […]
PATRICK MORRISON: Goalkeepers must know their WHY
By Patrick Morrison AS a goalkeeper it is necessary to have a solid set of reasons as to WHY you play the position. With the levels of skill and abilities a goalkeeper needs to have ever increasing and the weight of expectation to reproduce those skills to the highest of standards on a consistent basis, […]
PATRICK MORRISON: Rethink your restarts
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” This is a quotation taken […]
JOHN McMAHON: Working hard or not hard enough
THE goal of training in general should be to do as much as possible, as often as possible & keep improving. Unfortunately, the reality of training is not so simple. While training does trigger positive adaptations and benefits performance in the long-term, this comes at the price of the breakdown of the body and impaired […]