Gaelic Football Goals and Points Shooting Game
A Gaelic football finishing game. The H-shaped goal gives two ways to score: a goal under the crossbar (3 points) or a point over it (1 point). Students work on the drop kick from the hands and on choosing between taking a risk and playing it safe.
How to play
- Set up two goals with long poles fastened to each goalpost to extend them upward, or use two students holding a raised pole at each post.
- Groups of 6 at each goal: a goalkeeper, two post judges, and three shooters in a line 40 ft out. Teach the motion: drop the ball from the hands and kick it with the laces.
- Technique round (5 min): each shooter kicks 5 balls aiming for a point over the bar; the judges raise their poles if it is good.
- Decision round (6 min): the shooter receives a pass on the run, takes no more than 4 steps, and chooses a goal or a point. The goalkeeper only defends below the bar.
- 3v3 game at one goal (8 min): move the ball with a hand pass (strike with the fist or open palm) or a kick; rotate the goalkeeper each time a team scores.
- A goal is 3, a point is 1. Write it the Gaelic way: 1-04 equals 7 points.
Rules
- The ball is never thrown into the goal: goals and points are scored with the foot (or a fist pass for a point).
- Nobody walks behind the goal during shooting.
- No contact: do not take the ball out of someone's hands; you may only intercept it in the air.
Variations
Easier
Shoot from 25 ft, and a point counts if it is thrown by hand over the bar.
Standard
Drop kick from 40 ft with a choice between a goal and a point.
Harder
Points only count when kicked with the weaker foot, and the goalkeeper may come out to close down the shooter.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student serves as a post judge or shoots from a chair with a fist strike from 20 ft.
- Hearing impairment: judges show the score with their fingers (1 or 3).
- Higher skill: shoot after receiving a pass on the run and within 3 seconds.
Learning goals
- Kick a ball dropped from the hands with the laces.
- Choose between a goal and a point based on the goalkeeper's position and the distance.
- Understand the Gaelic football scoring system.
Equipment for a class of 25
- volleyballs: 6
- goals: 2
- poles: 4
- cones: 12
- pinnies: 12
Teacher tip
Use a volleyball or a soft soccer ball so kicking does not hurt. Remind students to drop the ball rather than toss it up, so they can control the direction.
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