Strong Coaching Structures Large Urban Dual Club How we do things in St Brigids GAA

What People See…

What is Happening…

Club Coaching Officer 4 Key areas – Nursery – Club School Link – Mentor Recruitment – Mentor Education Coherent Coaching Plan & Philosophy for the club

Nursery Nursery is Foundation of strong Club Primary School Link Nursery No. 1 Activity Recruitment tool for parents & mentors Feeder for Under 8 team Skills acquired before games start

Nursery Both codes, equal time Introduce to skills of game ABC Skills Fun games Small Sided matches Educating on skills Multiple touches Correct technique

Half & Half Switch Over Model Hurling Game Skills Development Fun Game Skills Development Football Game Kicking & Catching at Wall Ball Fun Game Skills Development

Nursery Personnel Structure Assistant Coaches Group Coaches Lead Coach Equipment Manager Nursery Coordinator Coaching Officer Parents Adult Players Youth Players TY Students College Students Adult Mentors Retired Members New Members Employment Schemes Local Teachers Coaching Officer Under 8 Mentors Lifelong Members More knowledgeable adult mentors Club-School Link Strengthened Increased employment Opportunities Stronger Players More rounded individuals

Club – School Link Creating a mutually beneficial link for club & School Face time with children Developing Physical Literacy Access to all children Show off Club in FUN manner ‘The Face of the Club’

Club – School Link Children Club Chairperson Coaching Officer Club Coach/ GPO Teachers Sports Liaison Teacher Other Sporting Organization Coaches Principal

Club – School Link What program entails & how it links into PE curriculum – During hours Classes – Training School Teams – After School Activities – Blitz program in Club Good demeanor with children Classes FUN based, recruitment rather than skill development Good relationship with teachers Handouts at end of face time & major events Visibility at drop off & pick up times Wearing of club gear Use of Club Grounds Sponsorship of Jerseys

Club – School Link Junior Cycle Football Six Week Block Week 1: Catching & Bouncing Week 2: Throwing & Hand Pass Week 3: Punt Kick Week 4: Soloing Week 5: Punt Kick Week 6: Games Template for class – Fun Warm Up – Practice Skill Unopposed – Multi directional game working on skill Senior Cycle Football Six Week Block Week 1: Kicking Week 2: Soloing Week 3: Hand Passing Week 4: Tackling Week 5: Team Play Week 6: Blitz Template for classes – Fun Warm Up – Multi directional game working on skill – Conditioned Small sided Match

Coaches What does a coach look like? Where do we find coaches? What skills must they possess initially? What skills do we need to arm them with? What roles do we want this specific person to carry out? Where is it best to deploy this person? How do they fit into overall coaching plan? How do we deal with rewarding coaches? How do we deal with coaches who aren’t of a required standard? How do we educate coaches and continually up skill them? How do we know if a coach is successful or not?

Recruitment What does a coach look like? 1.Already has some of the skills required, from playing or professional career, but has yet to express a desire to coach and we need to get them on board 2.Does not yet possess the skills required due to a non GAA background, but is enthusiastic and willing to help, we must educate and develop this person Where do we find coaches? – Parents – Current Players (Senior & Minor) – Local Teachers – Students – Retired & Unemployed Members (Job Bridge & FAS Programs) – New Members & New to area – Social Members – Local Employment Schemes – We must turn over every rock to find coaches, don’t stop searching.

Recruitment What skills must they initially possess? – Do they need to have skills? – Can we impart all knowledge & ability onto them? – Must have, need to have & nice to have!!!

Roles What roles do we want this specific person to carry out? – Lead Coach with Juvenile Team – Administration/ Coordination Role with Juvenile Team – Selection & Support Role with Juvenile Team – Equipment manager with Juvenile Team – Group Coach Nursery – Nursery Coordinator – Assistant Coach Nursery Where is it best to deploy this person? – What experience do they have? – Where would their current skill set be best utilized? – Have they already got links with a section? – Are their children playing? – Would they work well with someone who is already in place?

Roles How do they fit into overall coaching plan? Training to Win (Senior) Training to Compete (Minor & Junior) Training to Train (U12 – U16)Learning To Train (U8 – U12)Fundamentals (Nursery)

Education What skills do they need? – Knowledge of Game & skills – Able to improve players abilities – Organizer & Coordinator – Creates good learning environment (Varied/Enjoyable Training) – Keen coaching eye – Ability to give feedback – Good Communicator & Listener – Respected & Shows Leadership How do we educate coaches and continually up skill them? Coaching Courses (Foundation & Award One) In house workshops Cork County Board Workshops GAA Conferences Other Clubs Other Sports Observing other teams training

Evaluation & Monitoring How do we deal with rewarding coaches? – A simple thank you could be all that’s needed – Praise at AGM or Club Notes – Receipt of club merchandise (Hoody, tracksuit) – End of year night – Asking them for opinions – Giving them time to recharge batteries How do we know if a coach is successful or not? – Goal setting – Year on year result comparison – Player retention rates – Acquisition of skills – Trophies & Medals – Representative players (County & Club) – Intangible???

Evaluation & Monitoring How do we deal with coaches who aren’t of a required standard? – Sensitive issue, as everyone is trying to help and are volunteering. – Press the issue of mentor education, indirectly & directly – Provide a workshop in the club to deal with a mentor(s) specific problem – A club wide audit of coaches – Reorganization of mentors to where they are best suited each year. – Align ‘rogue’ mentors with other mentors, loading a team

Skills of the Game All Skills to be thought right & left sided, no point in merely reaching 50% of potential Most skills are acquired through learning in game situation Biological Age Vs Chronological Age Skills to be thought through self exploration & questioning of what way a situation can be dealt with A child who is struggling to carry out skills in match situation or exercises, needs to be given feedback in ‘coaching circle’ The Golden Age of Learning ‘7-11’ Skill Acquisition As a coach try to enter the mind of a child and ask what do they want??? Not trying to make mini adults FUN ‘Shower them with Skills’ Engage/ Captivate the player

Acquiring Skills Football Under 12 High Catch Roll Off Flick Lift Feint Dummy Solo Dummy Hand Pass Swerve Kick Under 6 ABC RJT CPKS Body Catch Punt Kick Bounce Fist Pass/ Hand Pass Shooting Checking Under 8 Block Down Near Hand Tackle Solo Low Catch/Reach Catch Side Step Under 10 Hook Kick Crouch Lift Shouldering Dummy

Acquiring Skills Hurling Under 12 Overhead Catch Overhead Pull Strike off Hurl ‘Brick’ Flick Under 6 ABC RJT CPKS Grip & Swing Dribble Ground Strike Ground Stop Shoulder Clash Under 8 Hook Ground Block Roll Lift Strike from Hand Solo Doubling Back Doubling Under 10 Jab Lift Batting in the air Snig Frontal Air Block First Touch Sideline Frees

St Brigid’s What we do & How we do it!!! Football Mini Leagues Schools blitzes Links with other clubs Summer Camps Summer Development Programme ‘Coaching & Caring’ Nursery DVD

Karmann Mini Leagues Annual Event Separate Committee 450 players from Primary Schools U6, U8, U10 & U12 Four days of group games & Finals for all Mentor recruitment tool Strong sponsorship Local Advertisment’s Piper Presentation

Schools Blitzes 2 nd – 5 th Class blitzes in Club Grounds 5 local schools All four codes After School Schools mixed TY refereeing Club-School Link

Link with other clubs Different Style Trip Away (Bus & craic) Return visit on Croke Park Days Preparation for Feiles Club Members former clubs – Nobber – Lisbellew – Burren – O’Loughlin Gaels – Cavan Gaels – Knocknacarra/Salthill

Summer Camps Strong Coaches Particular Lay out Football & Hurling Joint Games Based Approach Skill Development Recruitment

Development Programme NOT a summer camp CCC2 age category U12 – U16 Coaching from Club GPO & Club Coach Coaching from top inter county coaches & Players 60 mins maximum a day, high intensity work on different aspects of team play, tactical prowess & technical proficiency (3T’s) S&C in GAA Specific Gym

‘Coaching & Caring’ Nursery DVD Specific to Our Nursery Coaching Aid for Parents Key Teaching Points PAR Feedback Progressions & Regressions Spot & Fix

Refocusing Our Efforts Our Tradition Two fantastic sports, that can be enjoyed together Wonderful Volunteers A natural link to the community, the people & the schools An all inclusive organization The GAA is the only show worth going to in town

Thank You Questions on any aspect of what we do in St Brigids send an to