Gaelic Football: Go for a Goal or Take the Point

Gaelic football scores are written as goals and points (for example, 2-07 is 13 points). Teams play out scenarios with a made-up score and time left and must decide whether to risk going for a three-point goal or take the safe point over the bar.

How to play

1. Explain the notation: a goal under the crossbar is worth three points and a shot between the poles over the bar is worth one; practice out loud with examples like 1-04 vs. 0-09 (2 min).
2. In groups, the teacher hands out scenario cards (down by two with one minute left, up by one with three minutes left…) and each team has 30 seconds to decide what kind of shot it would look for and why (5 min).
3. 6 vs. 6 games: every 4 minutes the referee draws a scenario card, announces the starting score and time left, and teams play out that finish; the scorekeeper keeps the official score in Gaelic format (14 min).
4. Each field's scorekeeper sums up which teams made decisions that fit the score and which did not, and the group discusses why (4 min).

Rules

• The score is always called in goals-points format at each restart.
• No contact: the ball can only be slapped with an open hand, never the body.
• No more than four steps with the ball in hand before bouncing, soloing or passing.
• Only the goalkeeper may be inside the small rectangle.

Variations

Adaptations

• Dyscalculia or math difficulties: the scorekeeper gives a goals-to-points conversion chart.
• Limited mobility: acts as captain from the sideline and decides what shot the team goes for.
• Hearing impairment: the scenario is shown in writing on the card to both teams.

Learning goals

• Understand and use the Gaelic football scoring system.
• Adapt tactical decisions to the score and the time left.
• Keep an accurate official score as scorekeeper.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 4
• pinnies: 24
• cones: 20
• futsal goals: 2
• poles: 4
• colored tape: 1
• cards: 8
• stopwatch: 2

Teacher tip

Prepare about eight scenario cards with varied situations, including some where a tie is a good result. It is a nice link to math class.

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