Questioned aimed more at lads who coach juvenile hurling.

Do you coach your team to block with both hands on the stick or one?

I was coached 2 and see most coaches coach 2 but most players as they get older use one hand and I don't think I've ever seen a county player use 2 hands so just curious as to why coaches tell kids go with 2 hands?

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 18/01/2017 20:44:01    1946765

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 18/01/2017 22:04:41    1946807

When I was a gossan we were coached to block the hurley (not the ball) with both hands. In more modern times, you encourage young lads to keep the 'hurl up' to try to block the ball. Up to themselves then but they can reach further/higher using just one hand.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 18/01/2017 22:49:31    1946820

I coach the 2 hands for blocking . I suppose this encourages them to get closer to the player hitting the ball. And it's also easier at that age to keep the hurl up with 2 hands which is most important.

Finsceal (None) - Posts: 559 - 18/01/2017 23:08:37    1946833

There is no point in coaching something that lads will never use in a match. Blocking is always done with one hand in a match so that is what should be practiced in training. The way the top coaches demonstrate it by using two hands, getting down on one knee, pointing the thumbs in a certain way is complete rubbish. Blocking has to be spur of the moment quick reaction stuff and it is done with one hand. The only thing u need to make sure young players, or indeed any player does is to make sure his hurl doesnt block the ball and not the hurl or else the defender will get a smack of a hurl in the jaw.

So.... one handed, quick reactions and go for the ball and the hurl together.

890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 19/01/2017 09:25:00    1946866

You are always coached two. This is fine when you are blocking from the front.

But when playing and coming in from the side you use one hand to get 'extra reach' as you are trying to block the ball not the hurl. Block the hurl its a free

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 19/01/2017 09:39:33    1946874

coach at under 6 we get them to use two hands , have stronger hold on the hurley and less likely for injury, when the get bit older ie we start using the one handed block, plus they see it on tv and want to copy their heros , we preference playing myself was two handed

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 19/01/2017 10:42:52    1946907

890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 19/01/2017 11:36:15    1946927

was thought to block with 2 hands on the hurley but it has been seen over the years a player blocking can extend further by using only the one hand therefore increasing his chance of getting the block in on time.

juniorjudge (Waterford) - Posts: 383 - 19/01/2017 15:27:17    1947019

The 'correct' two handed way is totally unrealistic as the situation will never arise in a match. Most blocks have the blocker coming in from the side.

The most important elements to coach imo, one or two hands on the hurl, are to keep their eyes open and on the ball and opponent and to control their action so as not to injure themselves or their opponent. Aim for the bas of the hurl.

Blocking someone is one of the games most underrated pleasures along with hooking!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13705 - 19/01/2017 15:51:56    1947028

With juveniles I'd coach two hands all day long. They don't have the strength to block with one hand and they generally have the time to get in front of a player because the kids take longer to get their shot off. Inter-county hurlers are so much faster and stronger that they're not a good comparison when coaching kids that particular skill.

I'd always tell young kids to get close and block the bas as (a) they won't get a smack in the face and (b) opposition player is aiming to hit the sliotar with that part of his hurl anyway.

Mickmick (Dublin) - Posts: 104 - 19/01/2017 16:38:45    1947057

Hurleys are too heavy for most kids to block one handed

valley84 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1890 - 19/01/2017 19:05:26    1947122

Im not sure asking an 8 year old to go in with one hand to block would be a great idea. Where do you think the other hand would go? More than likely in front of their face to protect themselves or they would turn their head away completely. At least with 2 hands they have better protection, both eyes on the ball and for that reason its probably a good place to start.

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 19/01/2017 19:05:50    1947123

All the coaches growing up would try to get you rising the sliothar two handed but wouldn't get too annoyed as we got older about one handed as long as it was done smoothly.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 21/01/2017 20:54:47    1947613

There is only one priority when coaching children how to block a ball and that is teaching them how to protect themselves from getting hit.
as they get older the confidence in their technique and a bit of immunity from worrying about the odd slap will look after the actual blocking of the ball.
looking at the intercounty game and extrapolating anything from it for coaching kids is fool hardy in my view.

all the advice on here about one hand and getting the ball is misguided .
I will reiterate my point, the coach has a responsibility to teach the child the proper technique so they don't get hurt to allow their confidence to grow over time.
there fore two hands together on the full length hurley with the thumbs pointing up , step into the block as though you are trying to put your knee on the ground (genuflecting) head looking up at the opposing player and the tape on the childs hurley aiming for the tape on the opponents hurley.
a child who blocks the ball but not the hurley should be corrected not praised as so often happens.
safety develops confidence confidence develops technique.

twiceasnice97 (Clare) - Posts: 11 - 24/01/2017 11:26:19    1948363

The_DOC (Galway) - Posts: 705 - 24/01/2017 16:34:42    1948482

Sorry lads I should have been a bit clearer in the opening post. I said juveniles but I wasn't thinking of 6 to 13 year olds. More feile and up

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 24/01/2017 18:34:37    1948526

Best tip is to use the Platic Rubber bottomed indoor sticks when practising your blocking. These sticks will be located under bags of rubbish, old jerseys and burst balls in the dirtiest corner of your club's gear/equipment room. The main reason lads dont wanna practise this skill is that it normally ends with their favourite stick been damaged or broken - so give it a go lads i'tll work just brill.

kikfada (Louth) - Posts: 2091 - 27/01/2017 19:33:27    1949314

I would always coach to block with one hand, more realistic and if they become good at it they will develop other deft touches as well. They will do it as they get older so you are better off teaching them it from the off. Certainly at very young age two hands to give them confidence but they will natural use one hand as they get older.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4895 - 31/01/2017 09:07:45    1950436

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 31/01/2017 12:16:35    1950510