Climb for It

Attacking the dropping ball — timing the jump, high hands and a strong catch under a bit of friendly pressure.

Gaelic football
U10
60 min
14–22 players
2 coaches
Effort 3/5
half pitch
u10
catching
high-catch
fielding
timing

The PitchPlans coaching teamGAA Award 1 & 2 coaches

Kit: 20 cones, 10 balls, posts or a 5m cone goal, 12 bibs (2 colours)

Warm-up8 min

Hands to the Sky

Setup: A ball each in a 25×25m square, or share and shadow if short.

How it works: Jog and self-toss the ball above head height, catch it at full stretch with hands high, land soft. On PAIR, find a partner and one lobs while the other attacks the catch, then swap. Build the height gradually. It grooves the high-hands shape before any jumping or contact.

What to say

“Hands high and early — reach up to meet the ball, do not wait for it.”
“Spread the fingers, thumbs behind the ball.”
“Watch it all the way into your hands, then pull it to your chest.”

Easier

Catch at head height, no jump; one bounce allowed.

Harder

Catch at the top of a small jump; clap before you catch.

Activity14 min

King of the Skies

Setup: Groups of three in a six-metre circle of cones, one feeder outside with a ball, two competing for the catch. Rotate the feeder often.

How it works: The feeder lobs a high ball into the circle and the two inside compete to catch it cleanly at the highest point, land, and protect it. Winner stays, loser feeds, feeder joins in. It is a controlled contest for the dropping ball — teach them to attack it early and take it at full height rather than waiting for it to drop. No barging; the catch is king.

What to say

“Attack the ball at its highest point — first to it wins it.”
“Lead knee up for protection and lift.”
“Two hands, then snap it into your chest and turn away.”

Easier

One catcher at a time, no contest; lower feeds.

Harder

STEPR: feeder varies the flight; catcher must call mine and take it cleanest.

Activity13 min

Catch and Counter

Setup: A 30×20m grid, 3v3 in bibs, a feeder with a supply of balls on the sideline.

How it works: The feeder kicks or throws a high ball into the grid and both teams compete to catch it in the air. Whoever catches clean attacks to score by carrying over the far line, the other team defends. The next ball goes in as soon as one is dead. Winning the ball high launches everything, so it rewards fielding and breaking away fast. Rotate feeders and teams.

What to say

“Call it early and go — hesitation loses the ball.”
“Catch it moving forward so you are already attacking.”
“Didn't win it? Sprint to defend, do not watch.”

Easier

One team defends only, the other attacks each ball, then rotate roles.

Harder

STEPR: the catcher must hand-pass within three seconds of landing.

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

PitchPlans coaching team

Free on PitchPlans — new sessions weekly.