Niall M. Moyna Faculty of Science and Health Dublin City University

1. GAA National Coaching Conference 2004 From Theory to Practice Niall M. Moyna Faculty of Science and Health Dublin City University

2. Gaelic Football Playing Patterns What can we learn?

3. Fouls Total, Personal and Technical 43

4. Personal Technical Fouls First and Second Half First Half 22 52% 21 49% Second Half

5. Kick-Out Outcome

6. 17 40% 12 28% 5 12% 3 8% Lost Other Kick-Out Outcome 24 23 52% 20 Total Clean 16 Break Other 12 13 30% 10 22% 8 4 0 Won

7. Scoring Opportunities Open Play vs. Free Kicks Percentage 21.4 Percent 28 6 Number

8. 58% 42% 76% 42.8 39% 31% 15% 12% 3% Scoring Opportunities Open Play 80 60 Percentage 40 20 0 BlockRebound Short Total Goal Point Wide

9. Scoring Opportunities < 2 Passes < 2 passes >2 passes 59.4% 40.6%

10. Scoring Opportunities < 3 Passes < 3 passes >3 passes

11. Scoring Opportunities < 4 Passes < 4 passes >4 passes

12. Underage GAA What is the best Approach?

13. Participation in Sport Among Children Determinants • To have fun – principle reason cited by boys and girls for participating in school sport and non-school sport • Lack of fun and lack ofperceived competence are the major reasons cited for drop-out after the age of 12 • A critical task for coaches is to discover ways of promoting enjoyment and enhancing children’s perceived competence

14. GAA Coaches are Experts Want Evidence!

15. Studies on Young GAA Players! Is there any Evidence? • Other approaches work • Is there a formula to insure that all children get equal access, and meaningful playing time? • Inceased levels of enjoyment • Increased perceived competence • More ball contacts • Physically demanding for all children

16. Proof Where do we Start? Got to start somewhere! 15 a-side vs. 7 a-side

17. Study Questions • Will U-14 players have more involvement (in terms of intentional ball contacts) during a 7 a-side than a15 a-side game? • Will the levels of enjoyment and perceived competence be greater or less in U-14 players during a 7 a-side than a 15 a-side game? • Will a 7 a-side game be more challenging than an 15 a-side game in terms of the hard the players have to work?

18. Research Design Overview • IRB approval and meeting with parents • Visit to the Human Performance Laboratory in DCU - Ht, Wt, BMI, 5 fat, lung capacity and aerobic fitness levels were assessed • 2 competitive games (15 a-side and 7 a-side) which were videotaped • Heart rate monitors were worn for the duration of each game • Heart rate data was continuously recorded and used to determine physiological responses during each game • Questionnaire to assess enjoyment levels and perceived level of competence was completed following each game

19. Subjects Physiological Characteristics

20. Field Dimensions 15 a-side 130 metres 74metres 9620 m2 320m2/player 7 a-side 80 metres 56metres 4480 m2

21. Match Analysis John Micky Handpass Footpass Punt Pick-up High catch Chest catch Micky Intercept foot Intercept hand Fistpass Solo hop Fisted Shot Low catch Won Clean Break Won Turnover Break Lost Foul com Foul won Solo tap Shot score Outcome Point Goal Technical Personal Player Event Shot Score Point

22. Study Results

23. Heart Rate Response Heart Rate % Max HR * *

24. Match Analysis Chest, Low and High Catch * * * 7-a-side 15-a-side

25. 20 7 a-side 15 a-side 19 16 15 a-side (6) 12 12 Number 8 4 3 0 Match Analysis Scoring Attempts * 7 a-side 15 a-side Player

28. Study Summary • There was a greater number of catches, passes, pick-ups and scoring attempts in the 7 a-side than a 15 a-side games • Levels of enjoyment and perceived competence were higher during the 7 a-side than the 15 a-side game • The players worked harder during the 7 a-side than the 15 a-side game

29. Underage Coaching - Specialization