Child starting GAA

carr62

My daughter will be 9 in a couple of months, and has just started to play GAA. This is her 1st time playing any ball game so her skills are poor. She trains with our local u12 girls team, but has not played any games as she is not good enough to play, and is quite physically small. She is keen to play in an actual match, but here is my problem. Our club have a successful u10 side which is very competitive, and quite frankly my daughter would be lost among them. We also have an under 8 team who I believe play occasional blitzes, where every child gets a little match time, regardless of ability. I think this would be ideal for my daughter to try to gain some experience, but would she be able to join at her age? I think she is caught in a bit of a catch 22 - not good enough to come on as a sub in a match as she hasn't any experience of game play - but won't get game play experience unless she can join the under 8s for a while! I'd be glad for any advice, thanks!

davegrohl48

Maybe bring her to be behind goals for Ladies senior training to kick ball back to them She will be getting something that players in matches dont have Kids improve alot watching better players

DunedinOg

I see no reason why the club wouldn't let her join in for some of the U8 blitzes, especially as she is physically small for her age. Mind you, U10 is meant to be played on a Go Games basis too so I'm not sure why she couldn't get game time with them as well. There should be no subs at U10 level, while you can't start everybody there should be a rolling substitution policy where all players come on and off at regular intervals.

By the way, why is a 9 year old training with the U12's when there is an U10 team?

If she is just starting and is only turning 9 in a few months I would recommend she trains and plays with the U8's. I'd doubt any opposition coach would have an issue with a small, barely overage beginner playing and if you think they would just don't tell them.

carr62

Thanks for your replies! She trains with u12s as that's the youngest all girl team the club have - she wasn't at all keen to join the all male u10 team as the only beginner, but under 8s would be an ideal place for her to start. I'll take a trip to under 8s training this week to see if they will let her join in. Thanks again!

fatherted1969

I'd see no problem with playing a child thats just begun playing in a year below just to pick up the skills and gain confidence. I would see one or two children like that every year in my club. While the games are non competitive the results wouldnt matter a great deal.

Sometimes it can be hard on a child grading by age when you know they aren't able for their on age group. Do you leave them in their age group or do you try and keep them playing in a younger team. It'd be a no brainer for me anyway

neiphin

carr62 wrote: »

but won't get game play experience unless she can join the under 8s for a while! I'd be glad for any advice, thanks!

should a geniun u8 not get a game so your kid can ?
i do feel for you , but another kid cannot be left behind to satisfy yours
i dont understand why the u10's are not mixed

Realt Dearg Sec

neiphin wrote: »

should a geniun u8 not get a game so your kid can ?
i do feel for you , but another kid cannot be left behind to satisfy yours
i dont understand why the u10's are not mixed

Its played on a go games basis so nobody is going to be left behind. But u 12 is meant to be go games too so maybe I'm missing something.

Kerry_2008

I'm not being smart but, this is where you come in. You can take her out in the evenings and kick the ball and do all the basic skills until you bring her up to speed. It won't take long and will give her the confidence to join the U10's. Football isn't that hard to pick up and after a few weeks she will be grand. Like some one else suggested get her to kickk the ball back to the seniors in training as well

DunedinOg

The suggestion she would be taking a genuine U8's place is a bizarre statement. I presume you're not involved at this level to make such an ill informed comment.

On the suggestion the man takes her out for practice, well I'd agree but to say a few weeks will do is incorrect. Kicking from the hand is the most advanced form of kicking and can take a long time to develop in many kids. Girls, in particular tend to take longer to become competent. Kicking accurately is something many players struggle with and takes years to develop. Football is a very playable game, easy it is not.

I disagree with the suggestion to go to adult training and kick back the ball too. An 8 year girl with immature kicking mechanics is more likely to break a toe kicking an O'Neills 5 than improve her kicking.

Google kicking practice for an 8 year old and check out the Aussie Rules website for advice on kicking mechanics so you know the verbal direction to give here and what to watch for. Practice with her, have her kick against a wall (off the ground if needs be to get some success), tell her to let the ball bounce first if she has difficulty kicking it before it bounces. Use balloons to practice kicking and soloing, and encourage her to use both feet. Also give her targets to kick at, teddy bears, cones, candle sticks, you even. Make it fun and give her a reward for successes and set her achievable targets, i.e, by the end of the month see if you can knock over 3 cones from 10 feet. That will give her something to work to and is a successful teaching aid often used in schools.

It isn't easy but it can be great fun and you can play a big part. Remember though that it should always be fun and never a chore, don't turn her off by being too pushy.

Kerry_2008

I didn't say that the girl would be Maurice Fitzgerald I said she would be 'grand'. She won't be thumping the ball far and sure her kicks will be going awry but, most U10's have that anyway. As for practicing with both feet is a most but, don't over emphasize the weaker foot either as after a while the child will get fed up if they keep missing with the 'bad leg'.

Anyway in modern day football if you watch it you don't need to kick the ball. A hand pass will do. Rant over

DunedinOg

The point I was making is that it will take more than a few weeks and could require a few different strategies as opposed just having a kick about. I'd agree about not flogging the weaker foot but she doesn't have a strong one now so it's a great window to develop bilateral kicking. Just make sure she enjoys some degree of success and make it fun and she'll improve. Keep her with the U8's this year as the U10's sound like they are too far ahead of her this year.

Green Giant

I know I'm likely to be pilloried for this remark, and I know the OP said the club in question is very competitive, but should under 10 teams really be so competitive that somebody of that age group be shut out because her skills aren't as pronounced as other players on the team? At her age it should be all about enjoyment and giving everybody a fair chance, any results that come then are a bonus. This isn't minor or under 21s we're on about here

DunedinOg

No, the U10's shouldn't be so competitive but neither should we be rigid about age groups at that level. Age groups are only there to provide some structure but we should be free to ignore them if its in the best interests of the players. A player out of their depth at their own age group could pack it in whereas given time to develop in a younger one could produce a lifelong club player.

Green Giant

DunedinOg wrote: »

No, the U10's shouldn't be so competitive but neither should we be rigid about age groups at that level. Age groups are only there to provide some structure but we should be free to ignore them if its in the best interests of the players. A player out of their depth at their own age group could pack it in whereas given time to develop in a younger one could produce a lifelong club player.

well said