Drill library

10 drills across hurling and football, each with a pitch layout, skill tags, and coaching points. Here's a taste — sign in to browse the full library.

Beanbag Relay

Skills

catching
hand-pass
agility

Equipment

beanbags, cones

Coaching points

Players at the top collect a beanbag and return to their start point
Pass the beanbag underarm to the next player in line
Receiver must catch with hands up (overhand)
Work quickly to move all beanbags to the end of the line
Rotate positions after each round to practice different spots
Ensure players keep their hurl in their dominant hand, and throw and catch with their catching hand
Harder: Use a sliotar for the passing

Colour Reaction Drill

Skills

agility
lifting
hand-pass
striking

Equipment

hurl, sliotar, cones, bibs

Coaching points

Divide players into 2 teams, with players lining up behind the central white cones on either side.
When the coach calls a colour, the first player from each line reacts and sprints to the matching coloured cone on their own side.
Players then turn and race towards the sliotar in the centre of the drill.
The players then compete to win possession of the sliotar.
The player who wins the ball must secure it with a clean lift and return it to the coach with a hand-pass or strike.
The opposing player applies pressure and attempts to prevent the attacker from winning possession or delivering the ball to the coach.
Once the contest is complete, both players return to their lines and the next pair begins.
Easier: First player to reach the sliotar completes a clean lift and returns the sliotar to the coach unopposed.
Harder: The attacker must strike the sliotar to the coach, no hand-passing allowed.

Hit The Cone

Skills

kicking
striking

Equipment

football, cones

Coaching points

Focus on consistent kicking technique and follow-through
Aim to strike the cone cleanly with the instep
Keep the ball moving quickly between partners taking turns
Adjust weight of pass to ensure accuracy
Maintain high concentration levels throughout
Easier: Decrease the distance between players.
Easier: Increase the size of the target
Harder: Use weaker foot for all passes.

No Man's Land

Skills

striking
hand-pass
catching
tackling

Equipment

hurl, sliotar, cones, bibs

Coaching points

Divide pitch into two zones with a neutral 'no man's land' in the middle marked by yellow cones
Players must stay in their assigned zone; only the ball can cross the middle
Team must complete at least one pass in their zone before striking across to the other zone
Focus on winning primary possession and quick, accurate short passing
Encourage communication between zones to set up long strikes to the goal

Over the River

Skills

kicking
catching
agility

Equipment

football, cones, bibs

Coaching points

Players are spilt into 2 teams
They must kick the ball "over the river" into the opposition's area
Receiving recieving team are aiming to complete a clean catch
A scoring system can be used for a successful catch
Teams stay within their designated half
Harder: Increase the size of the areas including the width of the river zone
Harder: Increase the number of balls

Over the River (Ground Hurling)

Skills

striking
agility

Equipment

hurl, sliotar, cones, bibs

Coaching points

Use ground strikes only to keep the ball moving across the river
Focus on a clean first touch to control the ball before striking
Move to create passing angles and support your teammates
Communicate clearly to ensure the ball is returned quickly
Keep the ball moving to avoid losing points
Easier: Reduce the width of the river zone.
Harder: Limit players to one touch before passing.
Harder still: Introduce more balls into play.

Overhead Catch Relay

Skills

catching

Equipment

hurl, sliotar, cones

Coaching points

First player pucks a high, dropping ball towards the catcher
Watch the ball all the way down
Catch above the head with the hurl protecting the hand
Repeat
Easier: Reduce the distance and throw the ball into the air
Harder: Have two players at each side and compete for the catch

Rob the Nest

Skills

soloing
agility

Equipment

hurl, sliotar, cones, bibs

Coaching points

Four teams of around three players, each starting at a corner base
The central square is the 'nest' filled with all available sliotars
Players must run to the nest, lift and solo one ball at a time back to their base
Once the nest is empty, players can steal from other teams' bases
No tackling allowed; focus on speed, ball control, and agility
Easier: Increase the number of balls in ther nest
Harder: Reduce the total number of sliotars in the nest and allow stealing from the start

Rotate the Defender

Skills

hand-pass
agility
tackling

Equipment

hurl, sliotar, cones, bibs

Coaching points

Attackers move laterally along their side to create passing angles
Defender must anticipate movement and close down passing lanes
Focus on quick, accurate hand-passing to maintain possession
Attackers should support the ball carrier by moving into space
Rotate the defender every 30 seconds or after an interception
Harder: Add a second defender inside the grid to increase pressure

Strike The Cone

Skills

striking

Equipment

hurl, sliotar, cones

Coaching points

Focus on accurate ground striking cleanly, through the ball
Control the sliotar immediately upon receipt
Communicate with your partner to keep the rhythm
Aim to hit the central target on every strike
Pair with the most strikes wins
Easier: Reduce the distance between players.
Easier: Increase the size of the target.
Harder: Use weak side only.

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