Also i was thinking could i tied these side shoots straight out of the plant and make them come out of the plant and then grow up as little colas. This could be an alternitive from chopping the fan leaves, or i could do both.
You could tie them out, but it depends on the lights you have, if you are using flouros i would only tie them out if you can get a light closer to them, whereas if you have a hps light, you could do it regardless, like lip said its all about balancing light, fan leaves need it, but not as much as new shoots... good luck..