PLAYING RULES & MODIFICATIONSPLAYING RULES & MODIFICATIONS::

GO GAMES Policy and playing rules to be strictly adhered to for Under 8 and Under 10 age group.

• Games are developmental• Zones must be used• Games must be played in blitz format –no league

tables/championships!!• Players get to try all positions.• Extra points are awarded for the execution of particular skills.• Fun and Learning element is stressed – no winners/medals/prizes

Go Games

Providing a Games Programme for Under 12 Age Group Providing a Games Programme for Under 12 Age Group as a result of Rule 33.10as a result of Rule 33.10

RULE 33.10 : All games activities organised for all players aged U12 by

all units of the Association must be:•Child centred •Small sided games•Developmentally appropriate •Provide all players with meaningful playing time.

**NB** Small-Sided = 11-a-side

Go Games

Go Games at Under 12Go Games at Under 12• Due to feedback and concerns expressed re U12 format,

modified GO GAMES mini-leagues may be introduced at U12.

To be eligible to participate in GO GAMES mini leagues:

• Clubs must take part in a minimum of 5 county board sanctioned GO GAMES cluster blitzes

• Dates for these cluster blitzes and mini leagues must be included county fixtures plan

Definition of ‘Mini League Format’Definition of ‘Mini League Format’

• Based on the GO GAMES philosophy

• Games are small sided (Max of 11 a side)

• Clubs strive to provide maximum participation for all players

• Multiple teams should be fielded where possible

• A rotational system be used to ensure all players receive equal playing time where there are subs

Under 12 Mini Leagues

• A minimum of 5 cluster blitzes for every club must be run in every county before mini leagues begin.

• Mini League format is optional –cluster blitzes are compulsory

• Grading for Mini Leagues is at the discretion of the County Board

Suggested Playing Season

• April, May and June: 5 cluster blitzes in this time period

eg. Structure training so it works out that players have 4 training sessions followed by a blitz.

• Mini Leagues run from 2nd week August to last week of September

RUNNING MINI LEAGUESRUNNING MINI LEAGUES

• All teams play a minimum of 6 games

(5 league games & 1 final)

• Each club fields multiple teams

• Teams play each other once in League Format

• Every single team will get to play a final

E.g. 6 teams in group. Top 2 teams, 3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th place teams will contest finals

RUNNING MINI LEAGUESRUNNING MINI LEAGUES

• On a given night the two clubs involved will play two games ( 2 teams for each club , 2 matches at the same time).

• Combined scores for and against counts as the clubs’ overall score on the evening.

• Refs must be aware of Go Games Rules

RUNNING MINI LEAGUESRUNNING MINI LEAGUES

• These games will take place at same time & venue

• Both games can be played on 1 Adult pitch

• The number of players on the B teams can be reduced to 9 a side in the lower divisions with the lowest division only having one team per club

Competition Grading

• County board & fixtures committee grade teams for U12 mini leagues as was the case for previous underage championships but grading is NOT based on cluster blitz results.

• Each county board decides on the structure as regards team size and this must be adhered to by all clubs.

• If there are subs, each sub must get at least one half playing time.e.g. Grade A/Div 1: 2 Teams of 11 a sideGrade B: 1 Team of 11,1 Team of 9Grade C: 2 Teams of 9 Grade D: one team of 9, 1 team of 7 (In all instances, combined scores of both teams count for clubs

overall score)

Competition Structure

• Each county board decides on the structure as regards team size and this must be adhered to by all clubs.

• If there are subs, each sub must get at least one half playing time.

• If clubs are graded A , they must field 2 Teams of 11 a side

If Graded B: they must field 1 Team of 11,1 Team of 9If Graded C: they must field 2 Teams of 9 If Graded D: they must field 1 team of 9 and 1 team of 7 (In all instances, combined scores of both teams count for

clubs overall score)

FINALS

• A gala blitz day for all participating teams be held at the end of the league

• The placings in the league will determine the final pairings for the blitz

• Name the finals rather than A,B,C

e.g. Croke Park Final, Semple Stadium Final, Setanta Final, Cu Chulainn Final, Queen Maeve Final

PITCH LAYOUT     small square      

 13 meter Main Field  

             

  H          

       

 45meter            

          H  

  U 12 playing area U 12 playing area

   

65meter             

             

           

 65 meter            

           

45 meter  H          

       

13 meter          H  

     

      small square      

•GAA website link:

www.gaa.ie/youth-zone/gaa-go-games/

•Cumann na mBunscol – Graded under 13

•Unified Go Games

•Parish leagues

•Fixture Booklets

•Go Games Workshop in conjunction with RDOS

FAQS

Next Steps….

Develop U12 Games Programme for your county