Never leave the ball-carrier alone — angles, timing and a loud call so there is always a runner to give it to.
Support Lines
- Gaelic football
- U10
- 60 min
- 14–22 players
- 2 coaches
- Effort 3/5
- half pitch
- u10
- support-play
- give-and-go
- angles
- game-sense
Kit: 24 cones, 8 balls, 16 bibs (2 colours)
Follow and Support
Setup: Threes, one ball, jogging around a 25×25m square.
How it works: The player with the ball carries; the other two must always stay in support, one slightly ahead for a hand-pass, one behind as a safety option. Every few seconds the carrier hand-passes and a new player carries, and the other two adjust to support again. On SWITCH, swap threes. It builds the habit of moving to help before the ball-carrier needs it.
What to say
- “Never stand level with the ball — angle ahead or behind.”
- “Talk early: here, inside, with you.”
- “As soon as you pass, become a supporter again.”
Easier
Walk it; twos instead of threes with one supporter.
Harder
Fours with a token defender chasing; support at pace.
The Support Triangle
Setup: A 12×12m box, three attackers, one defender inside, one ball per box.
How it works: 3v1 keep-ball, but the two players off the ball must always form a triangle with the carrier, one either side, both offering an angle. Five passes is a point, and a pass only counts if the receiver was moving to a new angle when they got it. Defender swaps on a touch or every minute. It makes support automatic, not an afterthought.
What to say
- “Two angles always — never both on the same side.”
- “Move to receive, do not receive standing still.”
- “Carrier: draw the defender in, then release to the free angle.”
Easier
4v1; hand-pass or bounce-pass allowed.
Harder
3v2; a two-touch limit; must call before you pass.
Runners and Riders
Setup: A 30×20m channel in three thirds, attackers starting with the ball in pairs at one end, one defender in the middle third.
How it works: Two attackers versus one defender, carry the ball to the far line. The key rule: the supporter must run a different line to the carrier, so if the carrier goes right the supporter fills left and the defender can never cover both. A hand-pass to the supporter who crosses the line scores. Rotate defenders in, attackers to the back. It is a live give-and-go against a real defender.
What to say
- “Support runs the opposite side to the carrier — split the defender.”
- “Time it — arrive as the pass comes, not before.”
- “Carrier: commit the defender to you, then give it.”
Easier
Defender may only shadow, not tackle; wider channel.
Harder
STEPR: two defenders; the pass must be given before the last third.
Support Game to Goals
Setup: A 40×25m pitch, small goals at each end, 6v6 or 7v7 in bibs.
How it works: Normal small-sided football, one scoring rule — a score only counts if the ball-carrier had a supporter within a hand-pass when the move finished, and the coach is watching for it. That rewards teams who keep runners flowing off the ball rather than soloing into trouble. Carry, bounce, kick and hand-pass all allowed. Rotate teams to keep it even.
What to say
- “Somebody always with the carrier — nobody runs into a crowd alone.”
- “Support from depth — arrive late and fast.”
- “Lost it? The nearest supporter becomes the first tackler.”
Easier
Any score counts; add a third small goal in the middle to open space.
Harder
STEPR: two supporters required for a score; a two-solo limit before a pass.
Talk It In
Setup: Circle up.
How it works: Walk it out, then a group stretch twenty seconds each, calves, quads, hamstrings and shoulders. Ask two players to describe a give-and-go that worked tonight. Finish with the question.
What to say
- “Slow stretches, breathe out long.”
- “Loosen the legs after all that running.”
- “Listen while a teammate explains their score.”
Ask the players: Ask who gave you the easiest pass to score from tonight, and where they were standing. Take three answers, then balls in.
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