SHOULDER TO SHOULDER CLASH

Key Points

• Adopt the ready position.
• Get in close to the opponent, making shoulder to shoulder and hip to hip contact.
• Keep eyes on the ball.
• Slide the non-dominant hand into the Lock Position, bending the elbows to raise the hurley.
• Use a two handed, quick, wristy action to swing for the ball.
• Keep at least one foot on the ground.

Technical Drills

Drill 1 – Basic – Touch and Clash

• This is a basic drill to practice the Shoulder-to-Shoulder clash technique.
• Players pair off and stand beside their partner in two lines facing the coach.
• The coach holds a hurley on the ground between each pair as they approach at walking pace.
• Both players swing on the hurley together and return to the end of the line.
• The players change lines when repeating the drill, to make sure each player gets an opportunity to swing in both directions.
• Alternatively, a tyre may be used for the players to pull on.
• When the players become comfortable performing the drill at a walk, introduce jogging.
• Encourage the players to make shoulder-to-shoulder and hip-to-hip contact as they approach the ball.
• As the players become more proficient, the coach may introduce a football for the players to strike on.
• Later still, use a First Touch ball or smaller hurling ball.

Drill 2 – Intermediate – Roll and Clash

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Clash technique.
• Players pair off and stand beside their partner in two lines facing the coach.
• The coach rolls a First Touch ball towards each pair in turn, who move forward and perform the ground clash.
• Encourage the players to make shoulder-to-shoulder and hip-to-hip contact as they approach the ball.
• The players retrieve the sliotar for the coach and return to the end of the line.
• The players change lines when repeating the drill, to make sure each player gets an opportunity to swing in both directions.
• As the players become more proficient, use a smaller ball, for example the Quick Touch ball, or increase the pace of the roll.

Drill 3 Intermediate – Jog and Clash

• This is an intermediate drill to practice the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Clash technique.
• Players pair off and stand beside their partner in two lines.
• Place three stationary First Touch balls at intervals of 5m from the players.
• Each pair in turn jogs forward to clash on each ball in sequence.
• The players retrieve the sliotar for the coach and return to the end of the line.
• The first player to win three pulls in succession is the winner.
• Ensure each player changes lines when repeating the drill to get an opportunity to swing in both directions.
• To increase the difficulty of the drill, use a smaller ball, for example, the Quick Touch ball.