Last Sunday we were treated to an epic All-Ireland final. For long periods Galway looked like they were going to cause a surprise.
So what did Kerry do over the course of the game to earn the win?
Play it as you see it
Throughout the game Kerry showed huge variety in their play. At the start they went at the Galway full-back line and goalkeeper with long diagonal kick passes.
After a few minutes they changed and their players played it as they saw it. They were comfortable taking short and long kick-outs, carrying the ball, kicking early, attacking at pace or when they faced a wall of Galway players they were patient.
Their sound decision-making allowed them adapt and roll with everything Galway threw at them.
Club coaches watching the final would have seen the ease at which players on both teams executed the fundamental skills of football, the handling and kicking by players was simply outstanding. What stood out even more was the decision-making in possession by the players.
Inter-county management should be 'sharpening the pencil'. Priority should be fine-tuning players' mindsets, timing physical conditioning so they peak at the right time and selecting and setting up a team in a manner that gives them the best chance of winning.
Unfortunately, players that join county senior squads are often the best athletes but not always good decision makers.
Good decision-making comes from playing games, but making players into good decision-makers isn’t easy. Adult coaches would have a far easier job if juvenile club, school and academy coaches aligned themselves and planned training sessions that challenge the decision-making of players.
The excellent decision-making of the Kerry players is not the fruit of this season’s training. It is
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