Give and Go

The fist pass that unlocks the game — quick hands, a loud call, and a run to get it straight back.

Gaelic football
U8
45 min
12–20 players
2 coaches
Effort 2/5
20x20m grid
u8
hand-passing
fist-pass
support
fun-games

The PitchPlans coaching teamGAA Award 1 & 2 coaches

Kit: A ball between two, 20 cones, 12 bibs (2 colours)

Warm-up8 min

Wandering Hands

Setup: A 20×20m square, one ball between two, pairs moving inside.

How it works: Pairs jog around the square hand-passing back and forth as they go — fist off the flat hand, never a throw. Keep two or three steps apart. On SWITCH, find a brand new partner and carry on without stopping. If a pass hits the floor, that pair does a quick lap of a cone and rejoins.

What to say

“Flat hand like a tee, fist through the middle of the ball.”
“Call your partner's name before you pass.”
“Follow your pass — never stand and admire it.”

Easier

Walk it; pass from the hands rather than on the move.

Harder

Three passes then switch partners; weaker hand strikes only.

Activity11 min

Piggy in the Middle Plus

Setup: Groups of four in a 6×6m box, three on the outside, one piggy in the middle, one ball per group.

How it works: The three on the edges keep the ball away from the piggy with fist passes only. The trick: you cannot pass to the person right beside you, it must go across, so everyone has to move to offer a new angle. Five passes in a row is a point for the outside. Piggy swaps in when they touch the ball or after a minute. If you passed it, jog to a new spot.

What to say

“Show your hands as a target before the ball comes.”
“Move after you pass — give them a new option.”
“Fake one way, pass the other.”

Easier

Four on the outside; one bounce allowed.

Harder

Two piggies; a two-second limit to release.

Activity8 min

Star Passing

Setup: Five cones in a pentagon about six metres across, a player on each cone, one ball, one or two spare players to keep it flowing.

How it works: Pass the ball across the star, never to the cone beside you, always across the way, and follow your pass to the cone you sent it to. That means the ball makes a star shape and everyone is always moving to a new spot. Count how many clean passes the group strings together, then try to beat it. Add a second ball once they have the pattern.

What to say

“Pass and go — sprint to the cone you passed to.”
“Strike it firm and flat so it arrives quickly.”
“Eyes up early — know where it is going next.”

Easier

Pass to any cone; walk the follow.

Harder

Two balls going at once; call the name of who you are passing to.

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

PitchPlans coaching team

Free on PitchPlans — new sessions weekly.