Possession Rules
Michael McGeehin
Coaching Ireland
Background
Background
Possession Rules
• Possession in Gaelic Games, it appears, has never been more
significant – The battle to keep it , now as much as winning it.
• Ulster Final 2015 – Monaghan v Donegal – 1st half Monaghan held
possession for 11mins 50 secs – 60% of possession – ball in play for
20mins – Monaghan winning 0-8 to 0-4 at interval. 3 of Donegal’s 4
points came in the first 4mins 58secs of the half.
• In 1st half 8 Monaghan players played keep ball within 60m of Donegal
goals with 2 more players behind as outlet – holding possession for
less than 40secs – in one move held the ball for 1min 20sec resulting
in point.
Possession Rules
• 2nd Half – Monaghan had possession for 5mins 47secs and were
outscored 0-3 to 0-6 , didn’t score for last 21mins – Donegal hitting 9
of their 14 wides in 2nd half.
• Final 10 mins Donegal opted to sit on their 0-3 to 0-0 lead – didn’t
push on.
• Is it dangerous to assume that the “best” way to play is to maintain
possession and pass a side to death?
Possession Rules
• Gaelic Football and Hurling teams line out 15 v 15.
• In reality the games are played out as a series of small sided games.
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Throw in : 2v2, 2v1, 1v1.
Defence : 4v3, 2v2, 2v1, 1v1, 9v7, 15v13.
Attack : 9v7, 4v2, 2v1, 1v2.
Kickouts : 1v0, 1v1, 2v2, 4v4, 8v8.
Sideline balls :
Possession Rules : What should we develop?
• Maintaining Possession
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Decision making
Skill performance
First touch
Movement
• Transferring Possession
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Decision making
Skill performance
First touch
Movement
• Gaining Possession
Implications for your Coaching Sessions
• Modify : Rules, Environment, Numbers.
• Break the game down : Match specific.
• Decision making : Under Pressure. Rules, Numbers, Space.
• Skill Performance : Under Pressure. Space, Numbers, Rules.
• Time : Maximise. Fitting it all in.
• Practice : Habit\Norm
Possession Practices
Examples
Kickouts
Kick out to the Right
Kick out to the Right
Kick out to the Left
Kick out to the Left
MQ Vid
Conditioned Games for Possession
That incorporate :
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Decision making
Skill performance
First touch
Movement
Games:
Finishing on Goals
Touchdown
15v15 on reduced half pitch
Win by One
Thank You