PATRICK MORRISON: Practice deliberately


By Patrick Morrison FOR the past two months, I have been printing articles about skill acquisition and when they should be roughly introduced. It also gave a levelled framework for both goalkeepers and coaches to follow when they are trying to introduce new skills at any stage of their development. By giving them a framework […]


PATRICK MORRISON: Sweep the sheds


By Patrick Morrison ON Saturday 15th July 2017, Armagh played in an All-Ireland Qualifier against Tipperary down in Semple Stadium. In a fantastic game that was end-to-end throughout with tit-for-tat scoring, we, Armagh, finally came from behind to win out by two narrow points. We finished the game stronger and as the game drew to […]


PATRICK MORRISON: It’s important to box out


By Patrick Morrison IT was back in the early ‘90s that I first experienced the game of basketball. As a tall primary six student I was afforded a place on the school basketball team. We were coached by Jimmy McKee (Pearse Ógs) in the Christian Brothers PS and competed in a few competitions throughout the […]


SHANE RICE: McGuinness coming out aggressive


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 […]


PATRICK MORRISON: Raise your standards


By Patrick Morrison TO reach the top and become the best takes a massive amount of time and effort to perfect your goalkeeping. You will spend hours and hours refining your skills with the aim of improving your performances between the posts. Ultimately, it is important to understand that perfection is unattainable. That is because […]


STEVEN POACHER: A league of its own


LAST Sunday’s thrilling final between Glen and St Brigid’s has really engrossed football fans this week with a huge amount of positivity surrounding the game for a change. Normally the doom merchants are out in force and the death knell of Gaelic Football term is regularly used. The tactical battle last Sunday was intriguing, particularly late […]


PATRICK MORRISON: I think therefore I am


By Patrick Morrison I LOVE coaching! I mean I really love to coach players with the purpose of helping them to improve their performance. There is no better feeling than seeing a player you have been working with grow, realising their potential, and improving their performance. Like a gardener enjoying the fruits of their labour […]


PATRICK MORRISON: Goalkeeper conditioning


WHENEVER I am coaching different teams and/or individual goalkeepers during pre-season, I complete their goalkeeping conditioning. They regularly ask me ‘What is goalkeeping conditioning?’ After praising them for being brave enough to ask the question I then answered it for them as best I could. By now, the GAA fraternity have become accustomed to the phrase […]


JOHN McMAHON: Five key tips


THE majority of GAA clubs are now starting to formulate plans for their pre-season. Coaches and players are looking forward to the season ahead and planning is in full flow. Here are five key considerations for players and coaches as they approach their preseason planning: Increasing training load too early The number one mistake I […]


PATRICK MORRISON: The forgotten man/woman


By Patrick Morrison IN a previous article, I have focused on how teams need to put more concerted efforts into providing adequate structures in place in regard to their goalkeepers and more specifically their youth goalkeepers. I have outlined the importance of getting the correct training methods specific to the position while also stressing the importance […]