Coaching U-12

scottser

Hey folks

I've been helping out the local GAA team that my 10 year old plays on, mainly with football goalkeeping/defence drills as I used to be a keeper in my day. I've noticed at that age that there is little specialisation in roles as the kids only play in one position for a half and then they are moved around the pitch. I've been working on getting the keeper to come off the line and be able to narrow angles to make saves. Then I've been concentrating on kick outs and retaining posession from the back, getting defenders to lose their markers from kick outs and be available for passes. Next, I'll be working on improving their kicking and catching techniques because it's pretty woeful if I'm honest.

Are there any Goalie coaches on here with any tips or links for me? I'm kind of making it up as I go along and it would be good to adapt something more structured and I'm also mindful of the fact that I'm not a 'proper' coach. Having said that, since I started working with them, they've been far better defensively and I'd be keen to keep the improvement going.

Thanks

HurlingBoy

You might find something of use on the GAA activity planner https://learning.gaa.ie/planner

I don't think there are goalkeeper specific drills here but you'll finds some drills on defending. U12 is still meant to be Go Games so kids are meant to have a go at playing in different positions and not specialise in a single position. Unless you have a child that specifically likes playing in goals I generally give a child a half in goals and a half out the field. It is a very specialised position and at that age a good goalie makes a huge difference. At U12 getting kids to keep their positions is the biggest challenge if games are 13 or 15 a side. They have been used to playing in smaller side games from U10/U11 and need to get used to the concept.

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058374607/coaching-u-12

You shouldn't and don't want position specialisation when kids are aged 10 11 or 12. It's far too early.

Get your club to get you onto a coaching course. You will get good ideas from those courses.

MacDanger

I'd say think about the main goalkeeping skills and work on those in general terms - catching & kick passing accurately in particular. Sounds like you're already doing that so I'd say keep going at that rather than getting too complicated at this age

scottser

Thanks for all the replies folks, it's very much appreciated. I'll check out the coaching course - no point jumping the gun with the kids at this stage.