Caman Get a Grip Manual

CHAPTER5
Hurley Length
Survey – February 2008
Personal observation, anecdotal evidence and feedback from various coaches indicate strongly
that many young camogie players and hurlers believe that the longer the hurley the more likely
they are to become proficient at the skills of the game.
It is quite usual to see young players in clubs and at camps using hurleys that are far too long for
them. How often have we seen a 32 inch hurley being used rather than a 30 inch one or a 34 inch
rather than a 32 inch etc. One particular player in the summer of 2007 was observed playing
quite well with a hurley which, on inspection, turned out to be 33 inches long. Luckily that
particular girl was very amenable to suggestion and ultimately settled for a 28 inch hurley. The
upshot was that her dexterity, speed of stroke and general hurling skill level were greatly
enhanced and she openly admitted that she now found the game more enjoyable and satisfying
than before.
Longer hurleys are often purchased on the basis that the player will, over time, “grow into it”.
Boots, gear, tracksuits etc. are quite often chosen with much greater attention even though the
actual hurley is the single most important item for a camogie player or hurler.
Paradoxically, present day inter-county hurlers seem to be gradually opting for shorter hurleys
than previous generations of players. The evolution of hurling into a “pick and strike game” has
influenced this trend. Some modern day players have even changed the length of their hurleys
at the height of their careers and the change is almost always in favour of a shorter hurley.
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