Go Games
PLAYING 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
as 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 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’
• 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 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 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 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 side
Grade B: 1 Team of 11,1 Team of 9
Grade 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 9
If 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
FAQS
•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
Next Steps….
Develop U12 Games
Programme for your
county