Tips on Playing Full Back (Hurling)

daniels.ducks

Well wise boardsies of the GAA forum. May I ask you knowledge of the ancient game that is hurling.
I play Hurling for my local club here in Cork for the past 13 years (since I was 4). From the start I used always be full back mainly because I was big (i'm now 6' 4'') but when I got to U/16 I was moved out to Centre Forward or Centre Field because they thought my height would be an advantage, and have played there since.

The minor Championship started last night and I presumed I was going to be full forward because they put me there and I scored 2-3 in a challenge match, but was surprised when I got the number 3. I realised that the way the game is played has changed a lot since I last played there. I thought I got on well and caught and cleared a good deal of ball (even through the shouts from the sideline to bat every ball). The main thing is I kept my man scoreless, he was sh1te anyway and we annihilated them (i don't think any of their forwards scored from play so i couldn't take much out of the game).

The next match we are playing against much better opposition and I fear that i'll be in trouble because they have a lad who was on the county U/16 last year and made it to the last 40 in the minor this year. I am not a great speed merchant nor a great stick man just I can catch the ball well and take no prisoners (i love to give an 'oul shoulder here and there). I fear that this time the opposition won't be driving in stupidly high balls and be giving the full forward low ball which suits him.

I'm not looking for advice how to specifically mark this fella just advice on the great art that is 'full-backing'. Your help is much appreciated and i'll take any advice.

ShamoBuc

Don't stray too far from your goal, your job is to stop anyone bearing down on the goal, not just your man.
Organise the corner backs, keeper normally does it though.
Get the ball away to the sides, kick, pull, flick or shout at it:D.... whatever works.
Attack the ball if it's in the air, never wait for it, make it yours!
Don't let your man in behind you, always know where he is.
Watch what side your man favours in the warm up, never mind who he is or what he scored in the last game etc.

Most of the above is pure common sense really and possibly a load of crap;).

Mountainlad

ShamoBuc wrote: »

Don't stray too far from your goal, your job is to stop anyone bearing down on the goal, not just your man.
Organise the corner backs, keeper normally does it though.
Get the ball away to the sides, kick, pull, flick or shout at it:D.... whatever works.
Attack the ball if it's in the air, never wait for it, make it yours!
Don't let your man in behind you, always know where he is.
Watch what side your man favours in the warm up, never mind who he is or what he scored in the last game etc.

Most of the above is pure common sense really and possibly a load of crap;).

Common sense is all you need, it's a simple game. Try and give him the slightest of nudges to try and mess up his pick up. The most important thing that Shamo said is not to leave him inside on his own, and to get the ball away from the danger area. Don't ever try and pick the ball up directly in front of the goal inside in the square.

flahavaj

Could someone send this link to Davy Fitz? Thanks.

Orizio

You should probably be batting any ball under pressure but if you are very good in the air under the dropping ball then I suppose you can put your hand up if you are really confident. But any kind of 50/50 ball in the air you really need to bat.

Beyond that, don't stray far from the square and don't get dragged up the pitch. Good players will try and drag you out of position and create space for lads around him rather then just stand outside the square for the whole of the game, so you're going to have to be good at deciding when to follow your man, when to hold position, when to go and so on.

Obviously you are getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible, and hit it down the sideline rather then up the middle if you can. Its the same when you are running out with the ball.

If your goalie goes out of goals for whatever reason then you (or one of the corner-backs) needs to get on the line as quickly as possible.

TBH its hard to tell you how to play in the position, so much of it is down to positioning, decision-making and your relationship with the goalie and the corner backs. These are things that come from experience and playing the position a lot, cos it is a specialist position like center-back.

If they are going to be playing a lot of low ball in front of the full-forward then I hope to **** your center-back is good. :pac:

daniels.ducks

Orizio wrote: »

TBH its hard to tell you how to play in the position, so much of it is down to positioning, decision-making and your relationship with the goalie and the corner backs. These are things that come from experience and playing the position a lot, cos it is a specialist position like center-back.

If they are going to be playing a lot of low ball in front of the full-forward then I hope to **** your center-back is good. :pac:

I've a good relationship with the goalie and the corner back is my brother.

The centre back is a class act.. solid out.

Thanks for your help guys!

Browney7

Richie bennis had one tip for Stephen lucey a few years ago and it was to pull like a tinker. Its all about decision making. If a half forward is running through tell your corner back to meet him. Man ball and all