Sure we might as well do hurling as well. THere should be more contenders for this one.
Contenders:
Sideline cut
Doubling on the ball in the air
Blocking
Soloing at full speed
High catching
First touch
Drop pucking
Mine would have to be doubling on the ball in the air but it is one that has faded out of the game since the 80's.
Doubling in the air is definitely the hardest skill to master
sideline cut is also hard to master. I thinks its amazing lads who are naturally brilliant at them.
i think ya can develop sideline cut technique easier than the overhead pull. even the slighest flick, close to goal is an amazing skill, serious ability and timing needed.
Have you any tips for the sideline cut?
Quote from: The Claw on December 13, 2006, 04:46:49 PM
Have you any tips for the sideline cut?
Personally dont have the striking ability to score from one but they keep me away from that end of the field anyway!
When takin them, i take my time, very important to find the right place, never ever let yourself be rushed, no quick ones.
Always know where your putting it, from the second you step back from it.
And to be honest the easiest part and the one that is most messed up, bend the f**kin knees, always needed for following through!
Not being a hurler could you explain wht an "overhead pull" and "doubling the ball in the air" both are? ??? cheers
Quote from: Over the Bar on December 13, 2006, 04:52:07 PM
Not being a hurler could you explain wht an "overhead pull" and "doubling the ball in the air" both are? ??? cheers
same thing really, connecting with the ball when its overhead, causing it to change direction or continue it the way its going.
Very hard to achieve with both hands on the hurl, easier to do one handed.
They are both the same, except maybe the overhead pull is swingin o nthe ball when it is over your head and doubling on the ball in the air could mean waist height.
THe ball is coming in high, probably just above catching height, you swing the hurl and help the ball on the way its going. Another way would be to hit it back where it came from but keeping it going the same way requires expert hand-eye coordination and exact timing, very difficult to execute properly.
Beat me to it bellequa
I would have to go for first touch, the sharper you are the better and the tougher is is as the ground hardens. You see the likes of eoin kely and donal og cusack, its their first touch that stands them apart. how quick they can react to the movement of the ball, change direction wit one flick etc..
Personal farourite is the ability of some lads to consistently catch a puckout or dropping ball in a group of 3 or 4 and lads pulling all sides. Again its a skill of timing and co-ordination rather than having to possess great physical strength.
With the catch, I think the key to catching the ball is what you do with your non catching hand. be it gaurding your hand, or on the more illegal side, playing the hurl, or even pushing lads out of the way, that would be my biggest tip to catching in a group of players.
Not at all, just make sure you wear an ashguard and just stick the paw up. that is one thing i excel at myself on the hurling field.
Say a man is in front of you. You can stick the paw up all you like but the chances are that he will get his stick to it. All you have to do is when his stick goes up, clear it out of the way with yours and your airspace is free!
Running away from goal with a defender up your hole, dummying one way and turning the other way to fly the ball over the bar...
Greatest skill in sport in my opinion
There are that many skills in hurling but the one that's the best is running full pelt with the ball on the stick towards goal, and striking of the stick and putting the ball over the bar without the ball in the hand. Also have to agree with some about first touch, this is the skill that gets you away and gives you time to look up and place a pass or score.
personally i love high catching in a crowd.
Running along soloing and knowing you can't take the ball in the hand again then having the presence of mind and the skill/speed to make space for yourself and bounce the ball of the ground to allow yourself to take the ball in the hand again.
the first touch is the most obvious skill and it seperates people at all sports. on a good day a decent clubman can do an amazing thing but it takes pure skill to never let your first touch go wrong.
One of the greatest skill in hurling which has been perfected in Kilkenny is getting away with running 9 steps with the ball.
The hardest skill to master with any degree of success or accuracy has to be the overhead pull.
Mastering the first touch at speed IMO is the most important to get right and obviously the quicker and tidier you can do it the less likely you are to be robbed of possession. I've seen manys a quick sprinter run flat out to the ball only to stop dead to lift or control the ball. Any advantage they had was lost, similarily with the ability to strike the ball on the run without breaking stride to turning to the side prior to striking.
The trick is to losen the grip at the top of the stick and bend the knees. If you can do it without breaking stride it gives you at least 4 yards of space and usually a path to goal
Is it possible to bend your knees and run at the same time.
for a corner forward anticipation is the key everything else is a bonus