1. Did you enjoy that? 2. Did you try your best? 3. Did you pass & move? 4. Did you run & tackle? 5. Did you help your teammates? 5 good questions above to ask kids post game. As opposed to: Did you win? Did you score? Look for the many little wins, not just the result.

Another wknd of games for kids. It's so important to look beyond viewing winning only as success. Watch out for the execution of a skill. And for players using both feet. Look out for effort & resilience. And remember to recognise it. In game, catch them doing well🙌

Seeing some coaches trying to develop quick feet & footwork via drills & repetition. Consider putting players in situations where quick feet are required, & not specifically instructed. In an environment of decision making & games. Its often a learned skill, not a taught one

1 hour 15 min session for 16 players -10 min warm up -2 pitches -4 teams -4v4 -10 min games -5 min recovery after each game -Play each team once -Finish with 8v8 for last 20 mins

So true. Decision making & problem solving in a game based coaching environment, lots of learning there for players.

Over the years coaching I've realised that the best way to learn the game is to play the game.

5 tips for new parents beginning their coaching journey. 1. Warm ups are another opportunity to play. 2. Rotate playing positions on game day. 3. Define to parents why you coach & what success looks like. 4. Use positive language only. 5. Play small sided games at training.

What a run from Ciara Mageean & what an awe inspiring interview with David Gillick afterwards. Humble, grateful & no doubt inspiring a generation of future athletes. This line... "I didn't grow up playing camogie to get boxed in". Fantastic.

Chatting with some coaches recently & discussing how their game went. Both clubs had 24 players & 3 pitches were ready for 8 aside games. Instead, they quickly set up an extra pitch & played 6 aside. Less players, more touches. This sounds so simple, yet it's great coaching.

A great way to develop players is a game based coaching environment. Without waiting behind a cone, queuing for a turn or following explicit instructions. But giving problems to solve & decisions to make. In an unpredictable environment of chaos & multi directional movement.

As coaches, we must continue to strive towards a smaller sided games format. 1. More Touches 2. More skill development 3. More creativity 4. More inclusiveity 5. More goals 6. More 1v1s 7. More player centred 8. More problems 9. More solutions 10. More decision making

12 life skills that sport can teach children. 1. Resilience 2. Effort 3. Respect 4. Gratitude 5. Empathy 6. Responsibility 7. Sharing 8. Teamwork 9. Communication skills 10. Listening 11. Responding 12. Coping

From Michael Calvin's book, No hunger in Paradise. 0.012% equates to 1 in 8333. Reaching elitism should not be the only barometer of success, across any sport. Developing well rounded individuals with good values, attitudes, character & life skills is also very much success.

Fascinating read for anyone with an interest in coaching, games based & decision making opportunities. "The easiest way to enhance decision making is playing more games within training".

There's a normalised acceptance in coaching that we should play a match at the end of training. When in fact, its perfectly ok to play a match at the beginning of training.

Team Ireland having a great Olympics. Investing in sport is a sound one. But we need more facilities. More floodlight pitches. More municipal arenas. More tracks & pools. More domes & halls. More public amenities And we need them to be open, accessible & available to all

Brilliant clip. We need to build on this. More coach education. More understanding of why children play sport. More facilities. More lights on & doors open. More accessibility. More opportunities for our youth. More prioritising sport and it's positive impact. Invest.

Norway's sports approach. Children are encouraged to play multiple sports. Focus is on participation/whole child development. Scores aren't kept until after age 12. Follow concept known as the "Joy of sport for all" Over 35% of the population are registered in a sports club

"I've missed more than 9000 shots". So much growth comes from failing. Try & try again. With the children we coach, don't stifle individual imagination & creativity at a young age. Encourage risk taking, new skills & innovation. It's only play, let them play.

Children respond better to positive reinforcement rather than constant correction. We should never lose sight of this in our coaching. Yes it's our role to help them improve & develop. But catching them doing well is far more beneficial than finding faults.