Newbie

2lazytogetup

After years of being a snob, I have discovered that Gaelic football and hurling are brilliant. (Im late 20s from Dublin)

I was looking for some advice as I start my new endeavors as the I can find enough instruction on the internet or Youtube, particularly;

1. Do you need to learn to solo the ball on both legs to prevent a tackle or can you solo from the dominant leg to either hand?

2. I have a feeling I am going to get destroyed in hurling. Any advice on protecting myself as the rest of the team have been playing for years?

3. What is acceptable pushing? The rulebook says it is not allowed but it seems to happen in practice. If an opponent is running at me, should i just charge at them or run alongside them?

Any response would be greatly appreciated.:)

bruschi

2lazytogetup wrote: »

After years of being a snob, I have discovered that Gaelic football and hurling are brilliant. (Im late 20s from Dublin)

I was looking for some advice as I start my new endeavors as the I can find enough instruction on the internet or Youtube, particularly;

1. Do you need to learn to solo the ball on both legs to prevent a tackle or can you solo from the dominant leg to either hand?

2. I have a feeling I am going to get destroyed in hurling. Any advice on protecting myself as the rest of the team have been playing for years?

3. What is acceptable pushing? The rulebook says it is not allowed but it seems to happen in practice. If an opponent is running at me, should i just charge at them or run alongside them?

Any response would be greatly appreciated.:)

hard enough to say really without seeing the level you are already at, or the level you will be playing at. but in general,

1. I would imagine you will be playing at a low enough level, junior or so. No need to be able to solo with both feet. Many senior players, and even county players, will only ever use their preferred foot. But preferably, when soloing, go from right hand to right foot, and same goes for kicking the ball. its easier and means you are in a better upright position rather than crossing over.

2. if you fear you will get destroyed, do you mean physically and injured, or skillwise? Physically, the worst thing you can do is stand back and be on the edge of tussles etc, as that is when a loose hurl will catch you. the closer you get to a person, the less chance it will hit your upper body. you will get a few cracks on the legs, but that is par for the course. As for skills, just keep practising.

3. if someone is running at you, hands out, even a couple of hands push off to their shoulders, but if you charge at them, you will give away a free. if you are running beside a player trying to tackle, use your inside hand to tackle, ie if the player is on your left, use your left hand. otherwise, if you use your right, you will tend to put your left hand on their back and concede a free.

and good luck with it and make sure you enjoy it.

2lazytogetup

bruschi wrote: »

hard enough to say really without seeing the level you are already at, or the level you will be playing at. but in general,

1. I would imagine you will be playing at a low enough level, junior or so. No need to be able to solo with both feet. Many senior players, and even county players, will only ever use their preferred foot. But preferably, when soloing, go from right hand to right foot, and same goes for kicking the ball. its easier and means you are in a better upright position rather than crossing over.

2. if you fear you will get destroyed, do you mean physically and injured, or skillwise? Physically, the worst thing you can do is stand back and be on the edge of tussles etc, as that is when a loose hurl will catch you. the closer you get to a person, the less chance it will hit your upper body. you will get a few cracks on the legs, but that is par for the course. As for skills, just keep practising.

3. if someone is running at you, hands out, even a couple of hands push off to their shoulders, but if you charge at them, you will give away a free. if you are running beside a player trying to tackle, use your inside hand to tackle, ie if the player is on your left, use your left hand. otherwise, if you use your right, you will tend to put your left hand on their back and concede a free.

and good luck with it and make sure you enjoy it.

Hi Bruschi,

Thanks very much for that. I espically thing you hurling advice of getting close will save me.