Spot on Sports was founded on the principle of making it easy for kids to enjoy playing Gaelic Football.
As a club coach I understand the challenges and wanted to create some resources that would not only enable kids to learn but also help support coaches.
The resources shared here are designed to help parents, coaches and teachers to teach the basic skills of our national sport in a way that children will want to learn. These easy to follow instructional videos will explain how to use the ball, introduce games and drills that the children will enjoy and understand. I hope you enjoy these free resources and that they bring fun and learning to your groups.
Using The Ball
Coaches
Games & Drills
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USING THE BALL
Teaching kicking from the hands
- Place hands on the hands marked on the ball
- Step forward and allow ball to fall from hands note: ball should not be thrown in the air but dropped
- With toes pointed at the ground strike the ball with laces along the kick line
- Keeping your head down follow through with your Kicking leg in direction of the target
PROGRESSION: once a child is comfortable with this technique there is a natural Progression to the punt kick
For this the child should release the ball with one hand while holding out the other arm for balance.
Teaching Handpass Technique
- Place hands on hands on the ball
- Turn ball to hold on one hand
- Strike the ball on HANDPASS marker with a closed hand making contact with the ball with the base of the thumb
- Allow your hand to follow through in the direction of the pass
NOTE: It is important that the hand holding the ball does not move as this leads to inaccuracies and the development of a poor technique
Where the ball fits in with current practice in clubs/nursery programmes
The ABC/ Have a ball nursery programme which is currently best practice is a fantastic introduction for beginners in the sport of Gaelic football. The use of the spot on ball perfectly complements this programme and aids in getting kids better prepared to enter games based coaching . The spot on ball provides a perfect lead in to further developing the punt kick and handpassing technique and crucially engages kids on their level. Exactly what every parent and coach wants!
COACHES
As Coaches Our Aim is
To give every child a quality introduction to the game of Gaelic Football
The Spot On football allows us to introduce the core skills of the game in a fun and engaging way.
The Spot On football helps coaches and teachers introduce the skills of the game to beginners
The Spot On football can be used for all games and drills we already use
The Spot On football helps beginners of all ages to build confidence and get more involved in the sport
Why Do You Coach?
How is success defined by you and your club?
HOW do you coach?
How do you make your players feel?
Join today. A group for coaches from all over Ireland to discuss issues and support each other in making the game more enjoyable for kids #beyourbest
GAMES AND DRILLS
Warm Up Games
1. Fast Cars
Key points for coach/teacher:
- A 20×20 grid is ideal for 12 to 20 children grid size should be reduced or increased if working with smaller/larger groups
- Encourage children to change direction often ie. Don’t run in a circle around grid
- If you don’t have a ball for each child. Children can move in twos ie. car and trailer
2. Flush The Toilet
Key points for coach/teacher:
- change taggers regularly. Change number of taggers up or down if required
- No throwing the balls by taggers
- Taggers should carry the ball with hands on the hand motifs at all times
- This encourages development of both sides of the body
- All children stay inside grid
Games for Improving Technique
1. Teams of Three
Key points for coach/teacher:
- No throwing ball up to kick it. The ball must be dropped from the hands
- Face in direction of receiver
- Toe pointing at the ground green kickline hits laces
- This game is a great introduction to teamplay
- This game can be used in the same way for handpassing just move cones closer together
- Allow teams to encourage each other and add up their scores
2. Handpass to partner
Key points for coach/teacher:
- Place cones 3m apart and divide group into pairs
- Each player inturn handpasses the ball to their partner
- This drill is performed in a stationary position as the focus is firmly on developing the handpassing technique
3. Over the River
Key points for coach/teacher:
- Using the correct technique the players kick the ball to the other team
- This is a great game for developing both kicking and catching technique
- It is also a great introduction to teamplay
4. Knock the Pole
Key points for coach/teacher:
- players in pairs 10m apart
- a pole is placed in the middle
- the object of the game is using the correct kicking technique to try and hit the pole with the ball
- the first pair to hit the pole 5 times are the winners
NOTE:
- observe that all children are using the correct technique
- This game helps to introduce children to an element of competition
