Academy Library
All Skills
Browse our collection of training videos by skill category.
2 Handed Bounce + Catch off floor when Bounced
Bounce the ball on the ground and catch it with two hands as it rebounds. Keep eyes on the ball, form a cup with both hands, and absorb the catch with soft hands to maintain control.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Low Catch
Get low and bend the knees to catch a ball arriving below waist height. Hands down and open, eyes on the ball, and cradle it into the body on the catch. Stay balanced and protect the ball after catching.
Added by Academy · Jul 10, 2026
Knee to hand / Hand to toe
Solo the ball by tapping it from knee to hand, then from hand to toe in a continuous rhythm. Develops touch, coordination, and control with both sides of the body.
Added by Academy · Jul 10, 2026
Run jump and Punch ball
Run toward the ball, jump, and punch it with the closed fist at the highest point of the jump. Time the jump so you meet the ball in the air, make a firm fist, and follow through toward the target.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Jog/Run + Kick Pass
While jogging or running, release the ball from the hands and kick it to a partner. Time the drop so the ball meets the foot at the right moment. Keep the run balanced and don't slow down before the kick.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Kick A point
Set the ball on the ground or drop from hands and kick it over the bar from a set position. Focus on body alignment, keep the head down, and follow through toward the target. Start close and move further out as accuracy improves.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
High kick pass 4-5 meters
Kick the ball from the hands in a high arc to a partner 4-5 meters away. Drop the ball onto the kicking foot, strike with the laces, and follow through upward to get height on the pass.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Kick Over Shoulder / inside of the foot
Drop the ball over the kicking shoulder and strike it with the inside of the foot. The kicking foot swings across the body, making contact with the inside of the boot for accuracy and placement.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Kick a goal
From a set position or on the run, kick the ball low and hard under the crossbar into the goal. Target the corners, keep the head down on contact, and strike with the laces for power. Practice from different angles and distances.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Hand pass on the move - walk, jog, Run
Hand pass the ball to a partner while moving at different speeds — start at walking pace, progress to a jog, then to a run. Keep the ball in front of the body and time the pass with the stride.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Fist pass off wall/partner catch
Strike the ball with the closed fist against a wall or to a partner. Make a firm fist, contact the ball with the knuckles, and follow through in the direction of the target. Partner catches cleanly with two hands.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Hand pass - Closed fist or palm open
The hand pass is used to deliver the ball to a teammate at close range. The ball is struck with a closed fist for a fast, accurate pass.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Run and Catch pass Return hand pass
Run to a partner who hand-passes the ball to you, catch it cleanly with two hands, and immediately return a hand pass. Develops catching and passing on the move with quick reaction time.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Jog/Run one handed Bounce + Catch
While jogging or running, bounce the ball off the ground and catch it with one hand. Keep moving, eyes forward, and use soft hands to absorb the bounce. Alternate left and right hands.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Kick pass of wall / Partner catch
Kick the ball against a wall or to a partner who catches it cleanly. Focus on accuracy, kicking with the laces, and following through. The partner presents two hands and cushions the catch on arrival.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Crouch lift - with toe
From a crouched position, use the toe of the boot to lift the ball from the ground up into the hands in one smooth motion. Keep the body low and transfer weight from the back foot to the front foot as you lift.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Learning to tackle, Open Palm Slap Ball
Approach the opponent with an open palm and slap the ball from their grasp. Time the slap so the hand makes contact with the ball, not the opponent. Stay balanced and follow the loose ball.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Kick a 4-5 meter pass from hands
Drop the ball from hands to foot and kick a short pass to a partner 4-5 meters away. Keep the kick compact and accurate, aiming for the partner's chest. Strike with the laces and follow through.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Bounce the Ball
Learn the correct technique for bouncing the ball while running in Gaelic Football. The ball must be bounced on the ground and caught before you can bounce again.
Added by Academy · Jun 6, 2026
Kick from Hands
The kick from hands (punt kick) is a fundamental Gaelic Football skill used for longer passing and shooting. The ball is dropped from the hands and struck with the instep.
Added by Academy · Jun 6, 2026
Crouch Lift / The Pickup
The crouch lift is the technique used in Gaelic Football to pick the ball up from the ground. The player bends low and scoops the ball into their hands — the ball cannot be lifted directly off the ground with the hands.
Added by Academy · Jun 7, 2026
High Catch - with jump
Time your jump to meet the ball at its highest point. Jump off one foot, raise both hands above the head, keep eyes on the ball, and cushion it into the hands on the catch. Land balanced and ready to move.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
Block down opponent kick
Time your approach to get close to the kicker, raise your hand or hurley directly in the path of the ball as the opponent kicks, and deflect the ball downward. Stay on your feet and don't overcommit.
Added by Academy · Jul 3, 2026
The Solo Run
Balancing the sliotar on the bas of the hurley while moving — the foundation skill for carrying the ball in hurling.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
2:15The Basic Solo
Learn the foundation of Gaelic football — how to solo the ball from hand to foot and back again while running at pace.
Added by Academy · May 16, 2026
Solo Run — Perfecting the Technique
Refining the solo run with the correct grip, body position and hurley angle for control at pace.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
1:45Hand Passing Basics
Master the correct technique for the hand pass — the most common way to move the ball to a teammate in Gaelic football.
Added by Academy · May 16, 2026
The Roll Lift
Sweeping the hurley along the ground to lift a stationary sliotar into the hand — the first way to gain possession.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
2:30Kick Passing Accuracy
Develop a clean, accurate kick pass off the ground and from hand to help move the ball around the pitch.
Added by Academy · May 16, 2026
The Jab Lift
A sharp jab of the hurley under a moving or stationary sliotar to lift it into the hand on the run.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
2:00High Catching
Learn how to catch a high ball safely and securely — one of the most exciting skills in Gaelic football.
Added by Academy · May 16, 2026
1:30The Block Down
Learn to time your block perfectly and smother an opponent's kick — a crucial defensive skill.
Added by Academy · May 16, 2026
The Hand Pass
Striking the sliotar from the open hand to a teammate — the quickest way to release the ball in hurling.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
2:10Near-Hand Tackle
The near-hand tackle is the most common tackle in GAA. Learn how to knock the ball from your opponent safely and legally.
Added by Academy · May 16, 2026
Hand Pass Variations
Top-hand, bottom-hand and reverse hand passes to release the ball in any direction under pressure.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Strike from the Hand
The core hurling strike — tossing the sliotar up and striking it from the hand for distance and accuracy.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Strike on the Run
Striking the sliotar while moving at speed — the key to scoring and clearing on the run.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
The Ground Strike
Striking the sliotar along the ground — the first striking skill for young players and the basis of the puck-out.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Lift & Strike
Lifting the sliotar off the hurley and striking in one flowing movement — the classic hurling combo.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Fist Pass Against the Wall
Use a wall to practise your fist pass and catch. Strike the ball cleanly against the wall and catch the rebound — a great solo drill you can do anywhere.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
Catching the Sliotar
Hand position and soft catching technique to gain clean possession from a pass or puck-out.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Kick Against the Wall & Catch
Use a wall to practise your kick pass and catch. Strike the ball cleanly against the wall and take the rebound — a brilliant solo drill to sharpen both kicking technique and catching under pressure.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
The High Catch
Timing and technique for taking a high ball out of the air under competition.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Catching the Ball
Master the fundamentals of catching a GAA football. Good catching wins games — learn the correct hand position, footwork and body shape to take the ball cleanly every time.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
The Overhead Catch
Taking the sliotar overhead while protecting the ball with the hurley — advanced catching under pressure.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
4 Steps & Solo (Bounce)
In GAA you can only take 4 steps before you must solo (bounce) the ball. Master this fundamental rule and movement so it becomes second nature during a game.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
The Hook
Deflecting an opponent's strike by hooking the hurley around theirs at the top of the swing.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Hand Toe (Picking Up the Ball)
In GAA you cannot pick the ball directly off the ground with your hands — you must use your foot to flick it up into your hands. This is called the hand toe, and it's one of the first skills every player must learn.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
High Kick
The high kick is used to send the ball deep into the forwards or to win a contest in the air. A well-struck high ball gives your teammates time to get under it and make a catch.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
The Block
Frontal blocking — meeting an opponent's strike with the hurley to stop the ball at source.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Hand Toe (Soloing)
Soloing is when you drop the ball onto your foot and kick it back up into your hands while running. Along with the bounce, it's one of the two legal ways to carry the ball in GAA — and you must alternate between them.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
High Kick & Catch
Combining the high kick with a clean catch is a core GAA skill. One player kicks the ball high and the other must read its flight, get into position, and take it safely under pressure.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
Running & Soloing
Being able to solo the ball at pace while running is essential for GAA. This skill combines footwork and ball control so players can carry the ball forward without slowing down.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
Long Hand Pass & Catch
The long hand pass is a powerful fist pass used to quickly move the ball over greater distances without kicking. Combined with a clean catch, it's a key skill for fast, direct play.
Added by Academy · May 21, 2026
Batting a Ball Overhead
Batting a ball overhead is used mostly by defenders and midfielders to prevent the sliotar from passing through and play it back in the direction that it came from.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Dribble
Dribbling is a hurling technique used to move the sliotar along the ground to avoid opponents or place the ball in a better position for striking. It may be performed with one hand on the hurley but two hands give more control.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026
Grip and Swing
These activities allow the coach to determine whether the hurley is the correct size and weight for the player.
Added by Academy · Jul 26, 2026