4-7 years Football

GAA football for 4–7-year-olds is a fun, introductory stage of Gaelic football designed to give young children their first experience of the sport in a safe, inclusive and engaging environment. At this age, the focus isn’t on competitive results but on fundamental movement skills, enjoyment, participation and learning basic ball-handling through play-based activities that develop coordination, confidence and teamwork. Often run as part of a club nursery or Go Games programme, sessions encourage every child to have a go, make friends and start building a connection with Gaelic football and their local GAA community.

4-7 Introduction to Football

4-7 Session Planner

4-7 Football Skills Assessment

4-7 Football Rules

Nursery Program Resource

"Fun Do" Nursery Program

4-7 Football BOUNCE

4-7 Football HAND-PASS

4-7 Football CATCH & PASS

4-7 years Football

Describe GAA football to 4-7yr olds

GAA football is a fun game where you run, kick, catch, and hand-pass a ball while trying to score into goals. It’s all about moving, having fun, and playing with your friends.

Equipment for 4–7-year-olds:

A soft football (smaller and lighter for young kids)
Cones to mark out spaces
Bibs to tell teams apart
Small goals or even just two cones as a goal

Simple, safe, and fun!

Coach Season Planner
Sample

© 2026 The Duhallow Juvenile Clubs GAA Coaching Website & App. All rights reserved.

Coach Season Planner
Printable Template

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Coach Session Planner
Sample

© 2026 The Duhallow Juvenile Clubs GAA Coaching Website & App. All rights reserved.

Coach Session Planner
Printable Template

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© 2026 The Duhallow Juvenile Clubs GAA Coaching Website & App. All rights reserved.

4-7 years Football

Coach Session Planner
Sample 2

© 2026 The Duhallow Juvenile Clubs GAA Coaching Website & App. All rights reserved.

Coach Session Planner
Sample 3

© 2026 The Duhallow Juvenile Clubs GAA Coaching Website & App. All rights reserved.

Coach Session Planner
Sample 1

Skills Testing

Football
Skills Assessment 4-7 years

In line with GDPR guidelines, no player names are recorded during skills activities.
Children are referred to by numbers or codes only, and any observations are for coach/teacher use only.

GAA skills testing for 4–7 year olds is very minimal and focuses mainly on fun and enjoyment.
Activities are play-based, informal, and designed to keep children active and smiling.
The emphasis is on exploring basic movements rather than formally testing performance.
Key skills include simple running, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking, and striking.
There is no pressure, scoring, or comparison between children.
The aim is to build confidence and a positive first experience of Gaelic games.
All children are included and encouraged to learn through games and playful activities.

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Coaching Tip: Focus on effort and engagement over outcomes. At this age, confidence, coordination, and enjoyment are just as important as technical skill. Observe how children move, try new skills, and interact with others — these small moments often tell you more than any formal assessment.

Coaching Tip: With 4–7 year olds, keep it fun and relaxed. There’s no need to label activities as “skill testing.” Instead, use enjoyable games and drills as opportunities to make your own observations and gently track development.

4-7 years GAA Football RULES

GAA OFFICIAL RULE BOOK HERE

Gaelic football rules change slightly across different age groups to match children’s stages of development and ensure they learn the game in a fun, safe, and enjoyable way. Younger players (such as those aged 4–7) follow simplified rules with small-sided games, limited contact, and a focus on basic skills, while older age groups gradually introduce more advanced skills, longer games, and increased physicality. As children progress, the rules evolve to help them build confidence, develop their abilities, and enjoy the sport at every level.

GAA Football Rules for 4–7 Years
(FUNdamentals & Early Go Games)

🟢 1. Game Format

Small-sided games: typically 3v3 / 4v4 / 5v5
(Small numbers = more touches, more involvement.)
Pitch size: very small – approx. 20–40m long.
Two small goals or cones.

🟡 2. Match Duration

Short games: 6–10 minutes per half, or multiple short games in a session.
Frequent breaks.

🔵 3. Ball & Equipment

Use the GAA First Touch (size 2) soft football.
Children do not need full-size goalposts.

🔴 4. Contact Rules

No physical tackling.
No pushing, pulling, or shoulder-to-shoulder.
Shadowing only (stay close, try to intercept passes).
Defender may block with hands or attempt to dispossess by touching the ball — no striking.

🟣 5. Playing the Ball

Catching & Kicking

Encourage:
- catching
- kicking from hands or ground
- short solo runs (simple bounce for older ones)
Soloing:
- Ages 4–6: no requirement to solo
- Age 7: 1 bounce OR 1 toe-tap only

Bouncing

Allowed for ages 6–7.
Younger kids can take steps without bounce; keep it simple.

Handpassing

Simple gentle handpass (no throwing).

🟤 6. Scoring

A point for a goal (keep scoring simple).
Or no formal scorekeeping—emphasis on fun, not winning.

⚪ 7. Playing Time

Every child plays equal time.
Rotate positions so all players learn every role.

🟠 8. Restarts

Kick-out from ground or hands—child’s choice.
Sidelines: roll or kick into play.
No referees usually—coach supervises and guides.

🟩 9. Focus Skills for Ages 4–7
Fun movement (running, jumping, balancing)
Catching and throwing
Kicking with both feet
Simple teamwork
Spatial awareness

⭐ 10. Coaching Emphasis
Keep instructions short and positive.
Lots of encouragement.
Time spent on games-based activities, not drills.
Celebrate effort, not outcomes.

4-7 years Football

BOUNCE

🏐 Key Points

Start with 2 hands, progress to 1 hand.
Push down on the ball while bouncing.
Catch with 2 hands at hip height.

Minefield Video

Throwing & Catching Video

Team Pass Video

Mirror Mirror Video

Videos of Additional Bounce Activities

Bounce Video 1

Credit ; Learning GAA.ie

🏐 Bounce Checklist

✅ Technique & Rules

After 4 steps, choose one of the following:
- Bounce the ball
- Perform a toe tap
- Play the ball away
Only one bounce is permitted in succession.
Hold the ball with both hands.
Keep eyes on the ball.
Spread fingers behind the ball.
Extend the arm and push the ball to the ground.

✅ Skill Indicators

Able to apply consistent force for continuous bounces.
Can bounce with either hand.
Able to look up occasionally while bouncing.

✅ If the Child Tends to Slap at the Ball

Have the child sit and practice “drop, catch” a few times.
Start slowly, then build up speed progressively as control improves.

4-7 years Football

HAND PASSING

🏐 Key Points

Passing the ball using your hand to strike it to a teammate.
Hold ball in non-dominant hand.
Strike with a closed fist or flat hand from opposite hand.
Step into the pass and follow through.
Keep it accurate, chest-height, and quick.
Partner passing, moving hand-pass drills, pressure passing.

________

Hoop Hurrah Video

Find the goal Video

Team Pass Video

Videos of Additional
Hand Passing Activities

Hand Passing Video 1

Hand Passing Video 2

Credit ;Tramore GAA

Credit ; Learning GAA.ie

Hand PassingVideo 3

Fundamental movements Video

Credit Connacht GAA

Credit ; Learning GAA.ie

LINK TO ADDITIONAL GAA ACTIVITIES

Credit ; Learning GAA.ie

🏐 Handpass Checklist

✅ Technique & Rules

Hold the ball securely in one hand.
Make a clear striking action with the other hand.
Strike the ball with the flat of the hand.
Follow through towards the target.
Step forward to add power and accuracy.
Handpass must be a clear strike (not a throw).

✅ Skill Indicators

Can handpass accurately over short and medium distances.
Uses both left and right hand when encouraged.
Can handpass while moving.
Selects the correct handpass option in games.
Maintains balance after the pass.

✅ If the Player Struggles with Handpass

Practice stationary handpass first.
Focus on strike action (no pushing).
Use targets to improve accuracy.
Reduce distance, then build gradually.

4-7 years Football

CATCH & PASS

Eye on the ball
Hands out in front
Hands like a bread basket to catch

🏐 Key Points

Catch & Pass Bounce Video

Up in the Sky Football Video

Keepie Uppies Video

Clap Clap Catch Video

Videos of Additional
Catch & Pass Activities

Catch & Pass Video 1

Credit ;Tramore GAA

Catch & Pass Video 2

Credit ;Mantoo St Pats

Fundamental Movements

LINK TO ADDITIONAL GAA ACTIVITIES

Credit Kerry GAA

Credit ; Learning GAA.ie

🏐 Catch & Pass Checklist

✅ Technique & Rules

Eyes on the ball.
Hands out in front, fingers spread.
Move towards the ball.
Cushion the catch into hands/chest.
For handpass: hold with one hand, strike with the flat of the other, follow through.