Challenges of Coaching the Modern GAA Player
Challenges of Coaching the Modern GAA Player
I’ve been fortunate to coach some incredibly dedicated players throughout my career, especially in recent years. The level of commitment they show is remarkable. As fans, we see them in the best physical condition they’ve ever been in, all while managing more pressure and scrutiny than ever before. Coaching them has been a true privilege.
That said, there have been some changes over the years—not as a criticism, but as factors that require careful consideration and planning from a coaching perspective. Some of these, in truth, I may have failed.
The modern GAA player is different from those of the past. Many have come through development squads and have been exposed to strength and conditioning (S&C) from a young age. On top of that, they’re constantly engaging with S&C content on platforms like Instagram, Twitter/X, and others — what I refer to as "infotainment." The internet has created a new generation of S&C "enthusiasts," some of whom have an interest in coaching but may not be as focused on long-term development as a coach, which is fine.
When I began coaching in Ballymun and Longford, S&C in Ireland was in its early stages. At that time, the main challenge was convincing players of the need to engage with it. Today, the challenges have evolved. Some things you need to be aware of are;
Mini-S&C Coaches on the panel: Many players now take a keen interest in S&C and may offer their input or ask questions about the programme. To be fair, many of them have a solid understanding of S&C. The landscape has changed, and while this is positive, it’s something that coaches need to be aware of. It can knock you if you're not ready.
Too Many Voices: Some players may have worked with several different S&C coaches, each with their own approach. This can be confusing at times and can lead to mixed feelings from players, which is understandable.
Boredom and Disengagement: After years of following structured training plans, some players may feel a sense of fatigue or disengagement. It’s only natural — training can feel repetitive after a while.
Overcoming the Challenges
So, how can a coach manage these changes? It can be tricky. A red flag is when players start to deviate from the programme in front of you. For example, if the programme calls for dumbbell rows but a player decides to do a different exercise instead, it may indicate a lack of trust in the plan. In these cases, it’s important to have a one-to-one conversation, ideally away from the group, to address any concerns.
It’s important to remember that as a coach, it's your responsibility to adapt and build trust with your players.
I recall a time at a well-known Dublin GAA club when a player regularly did his own thing during my sessions. I took him aside for a quiet chat away from the gym, and that resolved the issue. After the conversation, the atmosphere in the gym shifted, and things improved. These kinds of moments highlight the importance of communication and building a connection with players.
However, not all situations are easily resolved. In a team I coached once, there were a small number of players who, for various reasons, didn’t fully buy into the system. It felt like a personal failure to me, but looking back, I realise it was a coaching challenge that required a different approach. At this level, it’s crucial to have everyone on board, as a breakdown in commitment can disrupt the whole team dynamic. (Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule.)
Individual exercises or physio-prescribed work certainly have their place, but without the overall guidance of the head S&C coach, things can quickly become fragmented.
I encountered this with Senior Cup rugby players at my school. Some players were so attached to their own routines that they ignored my sessions in favour of their own exercises. In those cases, I made the decision to part ways with them, freeing me up to focus on the younger, more receptive players. While this isn’t always an option at the intercounty level, it does emphasise how important it is to manage relationships carefully and to have those difficult conversations when needed.
Light Up Their Eyes
To maintain engagement, it's essential to keep the training sessions fresh and exciting. Players are sharp and can tell when a session feels monotonous or lacking in purpose. They need to feel like they’re progressing and getting something meaningful out of their hard work. This could mean introducing new challenges, adding competitive elements, or simply varying the approach to keep things interesting. A change of pace can work wonders: try a new piece of equipment, adjust a familiar drill, or introduce a fun competition. The aim is to make it harder for players to disengage, and when they feel stimulated, they’re more likely to buy into the process.
Testing can help.
I’ve talked before on this blog about how important testing is for the head coach, but the same applies to players. The truth is, players aren’t stupid. They want to see improvement, and even more importantly, they need a clear picture of where they’re headed.
Today’s players are more into metrics and charts (within reason) than the generations before them. So, get your testing done — but make sure it means something to them. Relate it directly to the player. One-on-one feedback works best here. No one wants to see their name sitting at the bottom of any list.
I printed business cards like this for some of my teams, it keeps their scores on top of their mind and helps motivation (in theory)
But What If You Can’t Get Them on Board?
The reality is, sometimes you just won’t be the right fit for a particular group of players, and that’s okay. It can be a tough realisation when things aren’t clicking, and you start to sense players pulling away — perhaps by becoming less engaged or not paying attention as they once did. This disconnect often follows a string of poor results, where your credibility can feel under pressure.
When this happens, it’s important to remain professional. Focus on the players who are still engaged and give them your full attention.
Stay positive, maintain high standards, and lead by example.
Of course, you can always choose to walk away, but that should be considered a last resort. More often than not, by the time you reach this point, the "alpha" player — the one others follow — may have become disillusioned with the process, making it much harder to turn things around. Even in these difficult moments, maintaining your composure and sticking to your principles speak volumes.
Setting Clear Expectations
More than ever, clarity and consistency are crucial. In the past, you could get by with an informal approach, but today's players need more structure, repeated instruction, and clear communication to ensure they understand the process. This isn’t a criticism of the players; it’s simply a reflection of the times. With the distractions of smartphones and social media, it’s more important than ever to deliver clear and consistent messages.
I’ll never forget when I first joined Longford and set up a WhatsApp group to share information. At the time, I struggled to get all the players to join. How things have changed! A friend in the industry once showed me a 12-week presentation he had for his team outlining how specific conditioning drills would fit into the overall periodisation plan for the team, it was clear as day. Even if it wasn’t followed to the letter (we joke about plans being written in pencil in the coaching world), the players were able to clearly understand the process and feel part of it. This kind of transparency is essential in today’s environment.
You can’t bluff GAA players now — they’ve seen it all before.
Ultimately, coaching the modern GAA player requires a delicate balance. Respecting their experience while guiding them into a unified system. It requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to have honest conversations. When you get it right, the results can be transformative — for both the team and the coach.
Coach Hare