IN Gaelic football, we talk endlessly about physical fatigue, how to measure it, recover from it, and manage workloads through GPS and training loads. But what about mental fatigue? The tiredness that doesn’t show up on the watch, yet affects everything from decision-making to motivation to physical performance? As the game evolves, players and coaches are […]
PRE-SEASON in Gaelic football is about charging the battery, building enough running, strength, and repeat-effort capacity so players can handle the long haul without breaking down. When that battery is full, availability goes up and soft-tissue injuries go down. So our plan is simple: stack smart volume early, keep intensity where it needs to be, and track it all […]
EVERY club has heard it: “Players today are softer.” It’s an easy line to throw out when a session dips or a result goes against you. But in Gaelic football, that thinking can hold coaches back. Modern players live in a different world; school, work, social media, long travel and they adapt to the demands […]
IN Gaelic football, we hear it all the time: “He’s naturally quick, you can’t coach speed.” Or, “Just sprint more and you’ll get faster.” Or worse still, “Too much gym work will slow you down.” These old sayings have been thrown around for years, but they’re holding players back. Let’s break down the biggest misconceptions […]
IF you coach underage Gaelic football, you’ll know the growing years can be tricky for young athletes. Between sudden growth spurts, changing body shapes, and uneven development compared to their teammates, players often go through spells where their coordination dips, their skills don’t click, and they’re more prone to knocks or injuries. This can dent […]
But here’s the reality: those tools, while useful at times, are not the magic fix we’ve been led to believe. In fact, the biggest misconception in Gaelic football recovery is treating it like a 30-minute ‘tick-the-box’ session, rather than a 24/7 lifestyle choice. Recovery isn’t a single session “Have you done your recovery?” is a common […]
GPS tracking is now a staple in many Gaelic football setups—from county to club. But with the flood of data these devices provide, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or misled. Not all GPS stats are equal, and knowing what really matters can help coaches make better decisions for performance and player welfare. Let’s break down […]
HAMSTRING injuries are one of the most frustrating and common issues in Gaelic football. Whether you’re a player, coach, or physio, you’ve likely seen first-hand how they can ruin seasons, stall progress, and keep lads off the pitch when they’re needed most. Thankfully, with the right approach, we can reduce their frequency and severity. Why […]
FUELLING your body properly is just as important as your training when it comes to Gaelic football. The right nutrition can help you perform at your best, recover faster, and avoid injury. But not every day requires the same amount of food and fuel. That’s where the Traffic Light System comes in. A simple way […]
IN Gaelic football, running is at the heart of the game, but that doesn’t mean all conditioning has to be done on the pitch. Off-feet conditioning, also known as cross-training, is an effective way to build fitness without adding unnecessary running load. When used correctly, it can help players improve endurance, maintain fitness during injury, […]
