U12

U12 Go Games 2012 Group 3

The key objectives of the Go Games can be summarised as follows:

Promote Full Participation:  Provide playing opportunities for all children at their respective levels of participation by ensuring everyone gets to play in the game and that nobody remains a substitute. “Playing, not winning, is the name of the game.”

Propagate the Principles of Fair Play: Promote sportsmanship by ensuring that all participants endeavour to play by the rules and give due respect to the opposition, the match officials and the game.

Cater for the varying developmental needs of young players: Use modified playing rules and equipment that are appropriate to the age group and ability level of those participating

Implement the GAA’s Code of Best Practice for Youth Sport: Give practical expression to the GAA’s Code of Best Practice for Youth Sport by invoking the principles of the Code at the fundamental levels of participation.

N.B. While the playing rules for First, Quick and Smart Touch are not necessarily set in stone – the principle of ensuring that all participants get to play the full game is, as is the principle of not awarding medals or trophies arising from success in the Go Games.

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The benefits of the Go Games are:

All children participate

Increased enjoyment

Increased number of touches on the ball

Increased physical work rate

Increased perception of competence

Go Games Structures

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Coaching Aim

To improve the standard of U-12, U-10 and U-8 football through a format that helps children to become better team players at levels suited to each of them.

Modified possession rule promotes better team-play and decision-making ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ teams as important as ‘A’ teams.

Format gives time for clubs to work on player development between Blitzes
A, B & C Teams

Coaches to organise and grade own teams before a blitz.

All coaches must be honest in their appraisal of players [no loading a ‘B’, ‘C’ or ‘D’ team with an ‘A’ player].

Team size to be agreed between competing clubs [not to be less than 6 at U-8 or more than 10 at U-12].
Any club found to have used an ineligible player will be immediately barred from participating in the remainder of the series.

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Facilities/Equipment

Each club hosts one U-8 Blitz & one U-10 Blitz.

At least 2 sets of portable goals.

Flexi markers / cones to set out pitch lines and walkways.

Smart touch/ Quick Touch/ First touch footballs.

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Adult Help

It is vital that each club team has at least two adults in charge [e.g. a coach and a parent?]

Coaches will be needed to referee games when their teams are resting.

Adults will be asked to replace/substitute players who use bad language.

Adults [including parents] must adhere to child protection rules when coaching, supporting etc.

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