IMPORTANT! Hurls are not shoes and kids should never have to “GROW into them”!

Far too often we are tricked into thinking ‘bigger is better’ but this is not the case when it comes to choosing your hurl, especially at a young age.

The skills of hurling are best developed from a young age providing the correct equipment is provided. It is essential that you use a hurl that is your correct size. Slightly shorter is okay too, but never longer.

You should hold the hurley with your strong hand (i.e. your writing hand) on top and your weaker hand underneath. This allows you to develop a more natural swing for left and right side of the body which is essential for any young hurler wishing to improve his or her skills.

When an infant picks up an adults hurl he/she will naturally put their weak hand on top and their stronger hand lower down the shaft of the hurl and proceed to hit the ball by shoving the hurl on with the strong hand. They do this naturally because it’s the easiest way to hit the ball for the first time. But if this habit is allowed to grow with the child they develop a swing from the shoulder and not from the wrist, as it should be with hurling. It is commonly referred to by hurling coaches nowadays as ‘shoulder hurling’ and that child will usually end up with a slow, loopy swing on their open side that is easily hooked or blocked.
Using a hurl that fits your correct measurement will allow you to develop your skills more easily so that you become a ‘wristy hurler’.

In time this will allow you to have much more control over the sliotar and the opportunity to rank amongst the best. Good Luck!