Catch & Kick

High catch & kick-pass basics

Gaelic football
U10
60 min
12–20 players
2 coaches
Effort 3/5
35x25m grid
u10
high-catch
kick-passing
fun-games
fundamentals

The PitchPlans coaching teamGAA Award 1 & 2 coaches

Kit: 20 cones, 1 football per pair, 12 bibs (2 colours)

Warm-up8 min

Throw, Clap, Catch

Setup: 20×20m cone square, a ball each (share in pairs if short). Mentors spread around the outside edges.

How it works: Players jog anywhere in the square with the ball in their hands. On the call THROW, everyone tosses the ball just above head height and catches it. Build it up: one clap before the catch, then two, then catch with a jump. On SWAP, players roll their ball away and chase a different one. Keep the calls coming every ten seconds or so — nobody should be standing still.

What to say

“Watch the ball all the way into your hands.”
“Fingers spread, thumbs nearly touching — make a big W.”
“Soft hands — let the ball land, don't slap at it.”

Easier

Walk instead of jog; throw only as high as their own head.

Harder

Throw higher and turn a full circle before the catch; catch above the head, not at the chest.

Activity12 min

Skyscrapers

Setup: Pairs, one ball per pair, each pair at their own cone with 3–4m between pairs. One thrower, one catcher.

How it works: The thrower lobs the ball up high and slightly towards their partner, who moves under it and catches at the top of a jump. Five throws each, then swap. Round two: the catcher starts two steps away and has to arrive as the ball drops. Round three: the thrower becomes a statue standing beside the landing spot, and the catcher has to time the jump over their shoulder without touching them. Count clean catches as a pair and try to beat your score.

What to say

“Attack the ball at its highest point — don't wait for it to come down to you.”
“One knee drives up as you jump — it protects you and lifts you.”
“Call it loud — shout MINE before you catch.”

Easier

Lower throws caught at chest height; catcher stands still under the ball.

Harder

STEPR: statue becomes a walking shadow; catch with the weaker side in front; two bounces of the ball allowed before it becomes anyone's.

Activity12 min

Postman

Setup: Two cone gates (2m wide) between each pair, one near, one far. Pairs stand 10–12m apart, one ball per pair.

How it works: Every ball is a letter and it has to be posted through a gate to your partner — kicked from the hands, never thrown. A letter through the near gate is one point, through the far gate is three. Partner catches or gathers, then posts it back. Two minutes, count your points as a pair, then the whole group races to beat the best score. Move the pairs a step further apart each round.

What to say

“Drop the ball onto your laces — don't toss it up first.”
“Point your kicking toe at your partner and follow through to them.”
“Catcher, give a target — two hands up in front of your chest.”

Easier

Shorter distance; partner may let it bounce once before gathering.

Harder

STEPR: weaker foot for the near gate; partner must catch it clean or the point doesn't count; shrink the gates a cone-width each round.

The rest of this session is free — along with 3 more this week.

House session.

Free on PitchPlans — new sessions weekly.