Solo and Bounce

Keeping the ball moving on the run — the toe-tap solo and the bounce, turned into races and chases they will not want to stop.

Gaelic football
U8
45 min
12–20 players
2 coaches
Effort 2/5
20x20m grid
u8
solo
bounce
ball-carrying
fun-games

The PitchPlans coaching teamGAA Award 1 & 2 coaches

Kit: A ball each, 20 cones, 8 bibs

Warm-up8 min

Bouncing Beans

Setup: A 20×20m square, a ball each.

How it works: Roam the square. Coach calls bean types: JUMPING BEAN means bounce the ball and catch it as you jog, RUNNER BEAN means toe-tap solo (drop from the hands to the foot, tap it back up), FROZEN BEAN means freeze with the ball still. Start with a bounce every few steps before asking for a solo. The freeze is your control switch for the night.

What to say

“Bounce it down in front of you, not out to the side.”
“Solo tap is gentle — nudge it up, do not kick it away.”
“Head up between touches so you do not crash.”

Easier

Bounce-and-catch only, no toe-tap yet.

Harder

Alternate one bounce then one solo tap as you travel.

Activity11 min

Solo Slalom

Setup: Four or five slalom lanes of five cones each, a stride apart, a small team behind each lane so nobody waits long.

How it works: Weave through the cones carrying the ball, with at least one bounce or toe-tap between each cone — no just running with it tucked. Reach the end, turn, come back, hand over to the next in your lane. Missed touches are fine, gather it and carry on. Race the lanes once they have the hang of it, but clean touches beat fast and sloppy.

What to say

“One touch between each cone — keep the ball alive.”
“Slow the feet at the cone, quick out of it.”
“Look up at the next cone as you touch the ball.”

Easier

Wider cones; carry-and-bounce only, no toe-tap.

Harder

STEPR: two touches between cones; weaker foot solo on the way back.

Activity9 min

Bounce Tag

Setup: Inside the square, two or three taggers wearing bibs, everyone else with a ball.

How it works: Taggers try to tag the runners, but a runner is only safe while they are bouncing or soloing on the move — stand still and you can be tagged. Tagged players become helpers who wave their arms to show taggers where to go, then swap in. It is a busy, giggly game that keeps the ball moving under a bit of pressure. Reset the taggers every ninety seconds.

What to say

“Keep it moving — a still ball means you get caught.”
“Bounce where you can see it, in front of you.”
“Change direction to lose the tagger, then solo away.”

Easier

Taggers walk; more safe pauses allowed.

Harder

Fewer taggers but they jog fast; you must toe-tap solo to be safe, no bounce.

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

PitchPlans coaching team

Free on PitchPlans — new sessions weekly.