Some very handy Red Bull Cúl5 tips from Bernard Brogan

Some all important tips on how to succeed at Red Bull's Cúl5 tournament on Saturday... plus a sneak pek at the arena itself.

Red Bull’s Cúl5 in Dublin Port this Saturday is going to be an all out attack-driven tournament of speed and finishing but that doesn’t mean it has to be a free for all. We’ve taken Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan’s advice that it’s “all about quick football, quick movement, one touch and using the guys around you” and developed some ideas to give you the best chance of going the distance.

Here are the rule changes that offer a unique twist on traditional football:

•Each game will be played over two five minute halves

•There are no points, only goals

•The ball can be picked clearly off the ground

•The player in possession may only be tackled or shadowed by one opponent

•The goalkeeper will restart the game with a kick from the hand

1-2-1

It’s a small pitch so you don’t need a Jim McGuinness style approach to tactical analysis before each game but a basic structure should allow for two options at all times when in possession and strength in numbers when in defence. A 1-2-1 in front of the goalkeeper will allow your team to cover the most amount of ground but make sure the two midfield players have had their Red Bull before because they’re going to need their wings when switching from defence to attack on the turnover.

Pick a position

It doesn’t matter if you fancy yourself as an attacking half-back or narrow corner-forward, just make sure everyone knows where they are supposed to be on the pitch. Have you ever played double tennis with someone who keeps running into you? That can be avoided by communicating and deciding beforehand where each of you is going to cover, which will at least  help your games look less like an episode of The Three Stooges.

Goalkeeper decision

When the goals start flying in (at either end) no one wants to be stuck between the posts so decide before you start if you’re going to rotate after each game or stick with one keeper for the day. That way no one’s having a strop or playing in a mood when it gets going. Don’t look at it as a way to get the worst player out of the way either because the rules of Cúl5 means that he’ll be the one getting your plays started.

Swift movement beats possession

This is why your midfielders need their wings. It’s their job to turn defence into attack by making lightning bursts up the pitch and catching your opposition on the break. They’ll also need to make quick decisions when you have possession as the nature of Cúl5 means that you’ll need to pick out the right ball and be clinical in your decision making to get you the goals needed.

Glory hunters will find no glory

“As young guys it’s obvious which lads are better than others so they can sometimes be a bit selfish but this game is all about using the guy beside to create space and then being clinical and composed in front of goal to pick your spot.” So says Red Bull’s Cúl5 partner Bernard Brogan, and he would know. If you are successful it’s going to be a long day’s football so make the most of the players around you and on the bench.

Now, that's all the help you're getting from us... except for this, a video of the arena as it was being constructed in Dublin Port.

Gaelic Football - Check out the Red Bull Cúl 5 Arena from Tree Light Pictures on Vimeo.