All About Hurling
Hurling is one of the fastest and most skillful field games in the world. Played on a pitch approximately 137m long and 82m wide, with goalposts at the centre of each end. The goals are 'H' shaped, with the crossbar at a height of Xm.
You may strike the ball on the ground, or in the air. The ball may be picked up with the hurley and carried for not more than four steps in the hand. After those steps you may bounce the ball on the hurley and back to the hand, or carry the ball on the Hurley (called a solo run) but you are forbidden to catch the ball more than twice. To score, the ball is played over the crossbar with the hurley (called a point) or under the crossbar and into the net by the hurley for a goal, the latter being the equivalent of three points.
Each team consists of fifteen players, lining out as follows: 1 goalkeeper, three full-backs, three half-backs, two midfielders, three half-forwards and three full-forwards. The actual line out on the playing field is as follows:
A game is played over two halves of 30 minutes (at club level) or 35 minutes (at inter-county level).
Players wear a jersey with their team colours and number on the back. Both teams must have different colour jerseys. The goalkeepers' jerseys must not be similar to the jersey of any other player. Referees normally tog out in black jerseys, socks and togs.
Teams are allowed a maximum of five substitutes in a game. Players may switch positions on the field of play as much as they wish but this is usually on the instructions of team officials.
Officials for a game comprise of a referee, two linesmen (to indicate when the ball leaves the field of play at the side and to mark '65'' free kicks and 4 umpires (to signal scores, assist the referee in controlling the games, and to assist linesmen in positioning ''65' frees).
A goal is signalled by raising a green flag, placed to the left of the goal. A point is signalled by raising a white flag, placed to the right of goal. When a defending player plays the ball over his/her own end line, a 65m free is awarded, signalled by the umpire raising his/her outside arm.
Back to Top
Positional Play
Goalkeeper |
Role: - Prevent Scores
- Clear the ball effectively
- Marshall the defence
| Slills Required: - Good reflexes
- Good eye - ability to catch the ball and judge its flight
- Good puck-out
- Good understanding of Team Play
- Decisiveness
|
Defenders |
Role: - Mark opponents
- Prevent scores
- Cover for other defenders
- Set up attacking movements
| Skills Required: - Ability to tackle and block
- Determination to compete with opponent and defend the goal
- Confidence under a dropping ball
- Ability to deliver the ball quickly out of defence,
either on the ground of from the hand
|
Midfielders |
Role: - Act as a link between the defenders and attackers
- Control the area around centre field
- Drop back to defend and move forward
to support the forwards
| Skills Required: - Midfielders will use all the skills required of defenders and attackers
- Good anticipation
- Stamina
|
Attackers |
Role: - Gain possession and score
- Link with other forwards to make scores
- Create time and space by keeping on the move
when not in possession and drawing defenders
out of position - Prevent the backs from clearing the ball
| Skills Required: Speed - scores come more often when play is fast and open Accuracy Ability to strike under pressure without being blocked down/hooked Vary team play, or engage in pre-arranged tactical ploys
|
Back to Top
Parts of the Hurley  |
The stick, which is known as a Hurley or camán, is made traditionally from the root of the Ash tree and is generally 25–38 inches (64–97 cm) in length. There are local variations for the different parts of the Hurley. The dominant hand grips the Hurley at the Top of the Handle, with the weaker hand locked underneath it when striking the ball.
The face of the Hurley is called the Bas, and is the area used to strike the ball. The Bas is a flat area that is slightly angled as the width of the Hurely at the Heel is thicker than that of the Toe. The Heel is used to provide loft for striking the ball on the ground. The Toe is less thick than the Heel and more rounded, to aid in rising the ball - either through the Jab Lift or Roll Lift.
On many Hurleys there is a band across the Bas. This provides strength to the Hurley. Many players prefer not to have a Band. In Camogie, the band is taped over.
Back to Top
The Grip
The dominant hand grips the Hurley at the Top of the Handle, with the weaker hand locked underneath it when striking the ball.
Some players have a natural tendancy to hold the Hurley with the weaker hand on top. These should be encouraged to change - if they do not succeed in changing, it should be emphasised that many top class players use this unorthodox grip.
Back to Top
The Ready Position
The Hurley is usually held in the Ready Position when the ball is not being played. The player stands with his/her feet approximately shoulder width apart, with the stronger hand holding the Hurley firmly at the top of the handle. The non-donimant hand holds the Hurleythree quarters of the way down the handle and is free to move up and down the handle.
To get young players into the Ready Position, establish which is the players dominant hand. Ask the player to balance the Hurley with the non-dominant hand in the middle of the handle. Close the fingers of this hand around the Hurley.
Hold the dominant hand overhead with the open palm facing outwards.
Lower the dominant hand to close the fingers around the top of the handle. This is the Ready Position.
Back to Top
The Lock Position
Adopt the ready position. Slide the non-dominant hand up the handle of the Hurley to lock with the dominant hand at the top of the Hurley. This is the Lock Position.
The Lock Position is a central element of all striking skills, and should be practiced regularly once the Ready Position has been mastered.
Back to Top
The Lifting Position 
The Lifting Position is used in any skill which requires the ball to be lifted, in many of the blocking skills and when batting the ball.
Adopt the Ready Position. Open the non-dominant hand with the fingers spread apart.
Use the thumb of the dominant hand to turn the Hurley, so that the toe is pointing away from the body. Close the thumb of the non-dominant hand on the Hurley so that both thumbs are pointing towards the Bas. This is the Lifting Position.
Back to Top
