USE THE CORECT HURL
Tip - Grip, size and weight of hurley
Length and weight of hurley have a tremendous effect on the user. The traditional method of gauging the length of the hurley by matching it to a player’s hip has proved inaccurate and unsuitable. Two players of the same height can have a difference of 10 centimetres in hip height. Children and beginners are inclined to go for a longer hurley, the perception being that “the longer the hurley the longer the puck.” The truth is quite the opposite “long hurleys equals no puck” Correct length and weight are more important than previously thought. Top players are now using hurleys 3 inches shorter than their counterparts of the 1960s and 1970s. Time and space are very much reduced, tackling skills are improved; opportunities are lost in a split second if the hurley is not completely maneuverable. The game is faster; there are less man to man contests of strength. The hurley that suited those clashes has no bearing on today’s game. Young children’s wrists and arms are light and fragile. They can only use hurleys that are light and short. To assess the correct length, a child should stand straight, hands by side, shoulders square, place the hurley (base on the ground) by child’s side, grasp the hurley in the dominant hand, the distance from tip of base to child’s hand position is the correct length for that child. If the child can use the hurley like a sword with one hand, it is about the right weight. It is agreed now that most of the trouble with the unorthodox grip comes from starting with hurleys that are too long and too heavy. Approximately 87% of the population are dominant right with only one per thousand having equal dominance. A player’s development will be severely impeded if he/she starts with non-dominant hand on top. Some respected coaches say there is up to 50% loss in potential. Starting players correctly then is of utmost importance to the player’s development and enjoyment as well as a club’s ability to raise playing standards. Changing a player’s grip is difficult for player and coach but where both parties are willing it is certainly possible and very rewarding. Babs Keating and John Fenton, both supreme stylists and legends of the game, changed from unorthodox to orthodox grip. Left-handed players need good models and sensitive coaches because they are the minority. A coach should learn how to demonstrate left-handed for the two or three players in every panel Nowadays every player will write with their dominant hand, this is nearly the only safe way of determining hand dominance. Very small hurleys used in a one-handed game with light air balls will help guarantee dominant hand on top. Change: It takes 3 weeks to change an old habit. It takes 3 more weeks to learn the new skill. It takes 3 further weeks for the new skill to become a habit. It would take 9 weeks for the player to experience the full advantage of changing. 9 weeks seems forever to a child but in overall career, it’s a small price to pay for years of enjoyment IMPORTANT DATES 2011
Feile na Gael.....24-26 June
Hurling Cul Camp....4-8 July (Provisional)
Football Cul Camp...8-12 August (Provisional)
Although these Cul Camps are provisional, it is unlikely they will change.
Kinvara GAA Juvenile Club Officers and Managers 2011 President: Catherine Kilkelly
Chairman: Ger O'Connor 087-7527248
Secretary: Ollie Bergin 086-8336574
Treasurer: Paddy Barry 087-9185309
PRO: Garret Byrne 087-9513442
U6's Hurling: Donagh O'Shaughnessy 087-8523554
U8's Hurling: Barry O'Driscoll 087-2926018
U10's Hurling: Michael Helebert 087-8381891
U12's Hurling: Brian Connolly 087-6836916
U13's Hurling: Ollie Bergin 086-8336574
U14's Hurling: Ollie Bergin 086-8336574
U16's Hurling: Noel Bermingham 087-7573019
Juvenile Football Liasons: Dominic O'Gallachoir 086-6067500 and Tom Ivers 087-7972295
Juvenile Club Chairmans address Feb'11
Dear Parents, I am Ger O’Connor the new chairman of Kinvara GAA Juvenile Club. For the past couple of years I have been representing Kinvara Senior Hurling Club at the County Hurling Board meetings where the chairman of the County Hurling Board is our very own Joe Byrne. From attending these meeting and observing what other clubs are doing, I can see that with support and help from parents within our community we can promote, develop and ensure our kids enjoy hurling and football.
Having been surrounding by our gaelic games as I grew up in Doorus, I have played all grades for Kinvara (and am still trying the bit of junior hurling!). I am now delighted to be on board to bring our kids to another level, and to help promote our sport and our culture in Kinvara GAA Club. Alongside myself as chairman, there is a new secretary and treasurer who share the same aspirations as myself. Secretary Ollie Bergin is a Kilkenny native steeping in hurling, while in our treasurer we have Paddy Barry who will aiming to make sure that financially we can reach our goals.
Our primary goal is to see that all children in the parish play our gaelic games. We will coach them properly from as early as five years of age, at a level appropriate to their age. We will also promote the policy that each child will play every game until at least 14 yrs of age. For too long the practice in sport has been to identify and cultivate talented players and elite teams at younger and younger ages. There is a tendency to nurture the perceived best and neglect the rest. This has contributed to adult training and playing conditions being imposed on young players. This will not be the case in our club.
Children participate in Gaelic games for a number of reasons: to have fun, to play with friends, parental encouragement etc. To deliver this we need parental involvement. We held a meeting in November and explained our vision and views. From this meeting 25 people signed up to be trained by proper coaches in Galway, where the course is recognised and delivered by representatives from Croke Park. At each age group we now have a minimum of 4 qualified coaches to train your children with the help of other parents. Each coach will wear proper attire so the children are aware and know who the coaches are. We will be actively encouraging parents to get more involved in our club, as we cannot deliver each week without more participation from you. Please offer your time, even if it’s only one hour per month, as it’s your child that benefits.
We will be very strong in discipline, as for each child to be coached properly the child has to behave and have respect for the coaches, their fellow teammates and other people involved. Also important is that the coaches must too respect the children. We plan to have monthly meetings where your input as a parent is always welcome. At these meetings we will also discuss your child participation and skills learned at each session, to ensure he is enjoying it and learning from our coaches.
We have a big event coming up in June the 24th to 26th where Galway is hosting Feile na Gael 2011. This is where our Under 14’s will be representing Kinvara against the top Under14’s in the country. Will give you more detail in due course. Finally for now look forward to meeting you all on membership day at the pitch Any queries or suggestions are always welcome. Juvenile Club Chairman Ger O’Connor 087 7527248 |
Juvenile Clubbb |