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4-7 years Nursery
Coaching & Development
Phase 1
This is the first stage of the GAA Player Pathway. It focuses on helping very young children (boys and girls aged 4–7) develop the fundamental skills they need before moving into structured Gaelic Football or Hurling/Camogie training.
Celebrate the small wins: Notice improvements, effort, and teamwork. Sharing those moments boosts both player and coach morale.
4-7 year old Players
Boys & Girls
Players in the nursery program will;
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Be easily distracted
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Have a short attention span.
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Lack understanding of rules and concepts of the game.
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Respond best to fun games and activities.
Goals of Phase 1
Players will learn:
• To have fun and make friends
• Basic fundamental movement skills
• Basic skills associated with Football, Hurling and Camogie
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Credit; Learning GAA.ie
Credit; Learning GAA.ie
Credit; Learning GAA.ie
4-7 yrs
Football Skills
A young GAA footballer
(4–7 years) should work on bouncing the ball, handpass catching and passing, kicking, doing simple solos, and picking the ball up from the ground, building confidence and coordination through these core skills.
4-7 yrs
Hurling Skills
Tap each skill
Tap each skill
A 4–7 year-old hurler should focus on the basics: proper grip and ready position, safe locked and ground swings, controlled dribbling, and stopping the sliotar. Learning these fundamentals is key to building a solid foundation, confidence, and enjoyment.
4-7 yrs
Movement Skills
Tap each skill
For 4–7 year-olds, keep football and hurling fun and simple. Teach basic skills—catching, passing, kicking, bouncing, soloing, and safe striking—through playful games that build agility, balance, and coordination. Use chasing games and obstacle courses, and remember: you wouldn’t expect a first-class student to do fourth-class maths.
Agility, balance, coordination
Running, jumping, throwing
Running with ball/hurl
THE GAA ACTIVITY PLANNER
Using the GAA Activity Planner
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It offers age-appropriate activities for every stage of the GAA Player Pathway.
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Activities designed for all ages and development stages in the GAA Player Pathway.
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A complete set of drills for each phase of the GAA Player Pathway.
Credit @GAA.ie
🔍 Key Features
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Age & Stage Filters: Organize activities by age group (e.g., 4–6 years, 7–9 years, 10–11 years) and development stage (e.g., F1, F2, F3, T1, T2, T3, T4, E1.
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Skill Categories: Select drills based on specific skills such as sending, receiving, travelling, striking, and maintaining possession.
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Activity Types: Choose from various formats like full games, small-sided games, conditioned games, fitness exercises, and inclusive activities.
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Social Distancing Options: Filter for activities that are friendly to social distancing, ensuring safe participation.
🧠 How It Supports Development
The planner aligns with the GAA's Player Pathway, which emphasizes age-appropriate learning and skill progression. By using the planner, coaches can:
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Design sessions that match the developmental needs of players.
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Incorporate a variety of drills to keep training engaging and effective.
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Ensure that activities are inclusive and accessible to all participants.
📚 Additional Resources
Beyond the Activity Planner,learning.gaa.ie offers a wealth of resources, including:
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Skill Challenges: Activities aimed at improving specific skills, such as the Go Games Skill Challenges for children aged 7–12. learning.gaa.ie
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PE Resources: The Céim ar Aghaidh (Step Ahead) program provides lesson plans and activities for primary school teachers to integrate Gaelic games into physical education.
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Coach Education: Courses like the Introduction to Coaching Gaelic Games (ICGG) Award offer foundational knowledge for new coaches.
4-7 years GAA Football RULES
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
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Small-sided games: typically 3v3 / 4v4 / 5v5
(Small numbers = more touches, more involvement.) -
Pitch size: very small – approx. 20–40m long.
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Two small goals or cones.
🟡 2. Match Duration
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Short games: 6–10 minutes per half, or multiple short games in a session.
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Frequent breaks.
🔵 3. Ball & Equipment
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Use the GAA First Touch (size 2) soft football.
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Children do not need full-size goalposts.
🔴 4. Contact Rules
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No physical tackling.
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No pushing, pulling, or shoulder-to-shoulder.
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Shadowing only (stay close, try to intercept passes).
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Defender may block with hands or attempt to dispossess by touching the ball — no striking.
🟣 5. Playing the Ball
Catching & Kicking
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Encourage:
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catching
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kicking from hands or ground
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short solo runs (simple bounce for older ones)
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Soloing:
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Ages 4–6: no requirement to solo
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Age 7: 1 bounce OR 1 toe-tap only
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Bouncing
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Allowed for ages 6–7.
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Younger kids can take steps without bounce; keep it simple.
Handpassing
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Simple gentle handpass (no throwing).
🟤 6. Scoring
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A point for a goal (keep scoring simple).
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Or no formal scorekeeping—emphasis on fun, not winning.
⚪ 7. Playing Time
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Every child plays equal time.
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Rotate positions so all players learn every role.
🟠 8. Restarts
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Kick-out from ground or hands—child’s choice.
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Sidelines: roll or kick into play.
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No referees usually—coach supervises and guides.
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🟩 9. Focus Skills for Ages 4–7
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Fun movement (running, jumping, balancing)
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Catching and throwing
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Kicking with both feet
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Simple teamwork
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Spatial awareness
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⭐ 10. Coaching Emphasis
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Keep instructions short and positive.
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Lots of encouragement.
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Time spent on games-based activities, not drills.
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Celebrate effort, not outcomes.
GAA hurling rules are adapted across different age groups to make the game safe, enjoyable, and developmentally appropriate for all players. Younger children start with simplified rules, lighter equipment, and small-sided games to help them build confidence and master the basic skills. As players get older, the rules gradually introduce more advanced techniques, increased physicality, and full-sized play. This progression ensures that every child learns the game at the right pace while staying engaged, supported, and excited about hurling.
GAA Hurling Rules for 4–7 Years (FUNdamentals & Early Go Games)
🟢1. Game Format
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Small-sided games: usually 3v3 / 4v4 / 5v5
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Small pitch: approx. 20–40m
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Two small goals or cones
Smaller numbers = more touches, more fun, more learning.
🟡 2. Match Duration
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Short games: 6–10 minutes per half
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Or several mini-games in a session
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Plenty of rest breaks
🔵 3. Equipment
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Hurleys sized to the child’s hip (safety + control)
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First Touch sliotar (soft foam ball designed for beginners)
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Helmet with faceguard required
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No full-size goals necessary
🔴 4. Contact & Tackling
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No physical tackling
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No pulling, pushing, or shoulder-to-shoulder
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Only shadowing the opponent
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No striking or hooking attempts at this age
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Child may block the ball with the hurley on the ground only.
🟣 5. Playing the Ball
Ground Hurling Only
At ages 4–7:
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All play is on the ground
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No lifting, no striking from the hand, no solos
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Encourage:
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Ground striking
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Ground control (dribbling with hurley)
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Ground blocking
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Safe stopping of the ball
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Hand Use
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Players may catch the ball if it bounces up naturally
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They may roll lift only from age 7 (optional depending on club)
🟤 6. Scoring
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Keep scoring simple
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Typically:
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1 point per goal
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Or no official score at all — fun first!
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⚪ 7. Playing Time
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All players get equal time
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Rotate positions so every child learns all skills
🟠 8. Restarts
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No complex frees — encourage play to continue
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Side or end balls: roll or strike from the ground
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No referees needed—coach guides play gently
🟩 9. Key Skills to Develop (4–7)
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Swinging the hurley safely
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Ground striking with both sides
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Dribbling the sliotar along the ground
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Balance, agility, footwork
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Awareness of space and teammates
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Learning to enjoy the game
⭐ 10. Coaching Focus
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Keep sessions light, fun, and game-based
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Use short, positive instructions
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Build confidence more than perfection
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Celebrate effort, teamwork, and trying new skills
Planning your training sessions
Planning your training sessions helps create structure, keep players engaged, and ensure each session has a clear purpose. With a simple plan, coaches can focus on key skills, manage time better, and give players a more enjoyable and consistent learning experience.
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