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gate DRILLS
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Close control dribble

Players stand in a line with one ball each and take it in turns to run around the cones (space the cones around 5 metres apart). The dribbling player should aim to keep the ball close to their feet at all times as they navigate around the cones. As they approach the centre cone they run around it before moving onto the next cone. Every time they go round an outside cone the next cone should be the middle one.

Dribbling

Defending the Midfield

Play 2 v 2 in the area furthest from goal and 2 v 3 in the defensive area around the goal. Make 2 small goals on the end line for the defense to play out through. The attacking team (gold) in the area furthest from the goal, combine to play the ball into the two attackers in the opposite area. The two defenders in the area furthest from the goal attempt to intercept passes as they are played through. The three defenders in the defensive area mu st pressure the ball, marking tightly when close to the ball or goal. Defenders from the area furthest from the goal may enter into the defensive area to support the three defenders and to serve as midfield players for clearances from the back. If defenders intercept the ball, they should attempt to play the ball through either of the small goals at the bottom of the diagram.

Defending

Dribble Dash - First past the post

Position 2 teams of 6 players in opposite corners of the same end line and number players on each team from 1 to 6. Place a gate (2 cones, 3 yards apart) at the opposite end of the area to the goal. Position the coach as a goalkeeper in the goal. The coach calls out a number from 1 to 6. The respective players from each team run with the ball following the directional arrow as shown in the diagram, to the gate at the end of the grid. The first ball to cross through the gate is the ball that is used (the other one can be discarded). The players then compete in a 1 vs 1 to get a shot on goal.

1 v 1 skills

Dungeons and Dragons

Set out as many gates as possible within the area (2 discs, 2 yards apart). Each player has a ball. Group in pairs. Player 1 must dribble through as many gates as possible in a specified time limit. Player 2 must try and shadow his partner and each time he is able to kick his ball and it hits the ball of his partner, Player 1 loses a point. One point per gate.

Dribbling

FA Cup Final

Position 2 teams of 6 players in opposite corners of the grid and number them from 1 to 6. When the coach calls out a players number that player in each team runs around the grid and enters through the side gate. The players with the ball have to then try and knock over the cones on the oppositions goal line.

Shooting

Gatekeeper 2

The object of the game is to dribble to each of the gates in the area. Once a pair reaches the gate, they must play the ball through the cones 3 times back and forth before moving onto the next gate. If another ball is struck or a cone is moved 1 penalty point is occured. Score 3 points for each gate successfully negotiated.

Dribbling

Hopping Zig Zag

Set out your hurdles in a zig zag formation. Players go one after another and have to hop over the hurdles.

Agility

Number Shooting - 1v1

Number 2 groups of players from 1-5 and get them to stand on either side of the goal. Call a number. The two players (one from each side) whose number was called race around the cones to enter the area. When a player has entered through the gate the coach feeds the ball to the side where the first player has entered. Player runs onto the ball and tries to score before the other player can make a challenge/block.

Shooting

One v One Racing Cars

Two players with one ball per pair. Player 1 and player 2 juggle to decide who starts with the ball. If player 1 wins, he/she begins with the ball and player 2 begins at a disadvantage (i.e. on one knee, on both knees etc.) Player 1 must dribble through as many gates as possible while player 2 must try to win possession of the ball and do the same. Each gate is worth one point. One circuit should last no more than 2 minutes. Note: A player may not go through the same gate until they have been through another gate.

Dribbling

Sticky Donut

A player dribbles around the outside of the cones, when he tags someone he shouts sticky donut. The two players then dribble around the circle in opposite directions. The first player to get back on the vacant gate fills the spot. The other player dribbles on and repeats the exercise.

Dribbling

Pass Through the Gate Passing ...

In pairs, players pass the ball to each other through a gate, or through a hurdle.

General

Gate Attack Dribbling - Footba...

Players dribble around the area, keeping the ball close to their feet whilst avoiding the other players. When the coach calls out a colour players must try and dribble through a gate of that colour as quickly as possible (in this case the red gate).

General

Gatekeeper 2 Dribbling - Footb...

The object of the game is to dribble to each of the gates in the area. Once a pair reaches the gate, they must play the ball through the cones 3 times back and forth before moving onto the next gate.If another ball is struck or a cone is moved 1 penalty point is occured. Score 3 points for each gate successfully negotiated.

General

Dungeons and Dragons Dribbling...

Set out as many gates as possible within the area (2 discs, 2 yards apart). Each player has a ball. Group in pairs.Player 1 must dribble through as many gates as possible in a specified time limit. Player 2 must try and shadow his partner and each time he is able to kick his ball and it hits the ball of his partner, Player 1 loses a point. One point per gate.

General

Ghostbusters Dribbling - Footb...

The object of the game is for player 1 to lose his shadowing partner, player 2. Player 2 must dribble at speed, tracking player 1. When the coach shouts out, "Who you gonna call?" The kids reply "Ghostbusters!" At this point everyone freezes. The coach should gauge the distance between partners as a measurement of their success.

General

Pass Race Agility - Football D...

Set up with 3 gates spread out as shown. 1 ball in front of each gate.They race through the area (zig-zagging) passing their balls in between the cones (1 point for every successful pass).Upon completing the passes they take 1 of the balls at the end and dribble it back through the starting area, 1 player back gets the bonus point.

General

Frogger Dribbling - Football D...

Section off four 5 x 5 yard squares in the corners of your 20 x 20 yard area. Station 3 players without a ball in each corner area. Before the game starts, the coach can tell the players the story of frogger, who jumps from lily pad to lily pad visiting his friends. He must return home before dark or else his mother will give him a good tongue lashing. Once the game begins, the coach shouts out, "Frogger!" Players must run from their corner area to the next sequential corner area as shown in the diagram. Continue the activity until players return to the area where they started.

General

Colour Passing - Heads up Pass...

Set up different coloured gates around the grid area - the more colours the better. Players are working in pairs, one player dribbling and the other moving to be ready to receive the pass. The coach will call out a colour for the players to respond to (in the animation the colour is 'red'). Depending on what colour the coach has called out the players must move to find an unoccupied gate to pass the ball through. Once the players have passed the ball through the cones they swap roles (dribbler and runner).

General

Football: Pass, Receive and Ru...

A three way pass and receive drill. The first player passes straight to the red player and then runs out wide ready to receive the red player's return pass which should go through the gate. Once they've received this pass through the gate the blue player plays a long ball (lofted or driven) to the player on the far cone who controls the ball and then dribbles through the slalom back to the start line.

General

Dribble Race Dribbling - Footb...

Set up 3 gates on each side as shown. The blue team run through the blue gates and the red team run through the red gates. Players run with the ball through all the gates, round the last cone and then bring the ball back. The first player to get back wins a point for their team.

General

Slalom dribble Agility - Footb...

Players dribble the ball in and out of the sticks, running around the outer cones before turning sharply back in and dribbling through the next pair of sticks.

General

Passing Accuracy Passing and R...

First touch and passing accuracy.<BR>One ball between two set out the gates so the player can practice a specific 1st touch and pass. in this case the player receiving the ball has to 1st touch the ball to the right and pass the ball through the gate to the other player. firts player to pass the ball 10 times through the gate wins.

General

Turn and Pass 2 Passing and Re...

In groups of minimum of 4. Set out the 2 goals behind which each team stands. 1 player from one group goes to the centre square of cones to receive the ball from the other side. They receive the ball, turn and pass the ball through the gate to their partner to score a point. Then the player from the other team runs into the centre square to receive the ball and turn to pass the ball through the gate to their partner.

General

Pass and run Passing and Recei...

Working in pairs, players run between hurdles and pass the ball through them. One player will start behind the hurdle and receive the pass, with the other player passing through before swapping roles before the next hurdle.

General

Number Shooting - 1v1 Shooting...

Number 2 groups of players from 1-5 and get them to stand on either side of the goal. Call a number. The two players (one from each side) whose number was called race around the cones to enter the area. When a player has entered through the gate the coach feeds the ball to the side where the first player has entered. Player runs onto the ball and tries to score before the other player can make a challenge/block.

General

Dribble, Pass, Run and Relay A...

Great for warm ups. Players dribble through the cones, pass to the waiting player at the end of the cones and then run back to touch the first red cone. They then turn and sprint back inside the red square where they play a quick one-two. After this they run back towards the start line, looking to run onto the weighted pass from the blue player. The next player then goes.

General

Through the cones passing Pass...

With one ball between two players have to try and pass the ball through the goals 10 times, without making a mistake. You can run this as a competition between pairs or simply use it as a challenge to get players to focus on their passing accuracy.

General

How long left ref ? Dribbling ...

The players line up at one end of the grid with the coach the other end. The players will then shout "how long left ref?" The coach will then give them a time e.g. 5 mins and then counts 1-2-3-4-5 and turns to face the players who are dribbling towards him. Anyone still moving has to go back to the begining. The winner is the first one to touch the coach.

General

Sticky Donut Dribbling - Footb...

A player dribbles around the outside of the cones, when he tags someone he shouts sticky donut. The two players then dribble around the circle in opposite directions. The first player to get back on the vacant gate fills the spot. The other player dribbles on and repeats the exercise.

General

Alien Invasion Dribbling - Foo...

Station one player in each grid in the crab postion (belly up, on hands and feet). Six players start on one end line. Station discs at the opposite end line. The standing players must dribble across the area without being tackled by the crab players who are trying to kick the balls out of the area. If a ball is kicked out, the player stays in the game and tries to help his teammates get the other balls across. The object of the game is to see how many times the players can dribble across the area until no soccer balls are left. Count how many successful trips players make. Repeat and rotate.

General

Dribble Dash - First past the ...

Position 2 teams of 6 players in opposite corners of the same end line and number players on each team from 1 to 6. Place a gate (2 cones, 3 yards apart) at the opposite end of the area to the goal. Position the coach as a goalkeeper in the goal. The coach calls out a number from 1 to 6. The respective players from each team run with the ball following the directional arrow as shown in the diagram, to the gate at the end of the grid. The first ball to cross through the gate is the ball that is used (the other one can be discarded). The players then compete in a 1 vs 1 to get a shot on goal.

General

FA Cup Final Shooting - Footba...

Position 2 teams of 6 players in opposite corners of the grid and number them from 1 to 6. When the coach calls out a players number that player in each team runs around the grid and enters through the side gate.The players with the ball have to then try and knock over the cones on the oppositions goal line.

General

Catch, Roll, Dive Goalkeeping ...

Goalkeeper steps away from cone comes through the gate receives a ball into hands Returns to server then gets a low shot into dive close to body Get into set position initially then step forward into low dive to save before cones in advance of initial gate Notes: Get the step in if required If serve close too the body collapse legs and get hands to the ball in front of the body Dive forward this called 'Attacking the dive'  

General

Break football Crossing and Fi...

2 players outside the area play a ball into one of their players in the grid. The 2 players in the grid play 2 v 4 to try and score a goal on the half way line by dribbling the balll through the gate. The 4 players try to win the ball and when they do they have to break as quick as they can and try to score a goal. the only 2 defenders that can stop them are the 2 defenders out side the grid. (Blue dot players)

General

1 v 1 up and down 1 v 1 skills...

The drills starts with one player from group 1 (reds) running with a ball to the opposing goal, trying to score.<br /><br /> As soon as they have a shot at goal, a player from group 2 (yellows) runs with a ball to the other goal to try and score. The player that had the first shot has to try and defend against the player from group 2.<br /><br /> When this player scores or loses the ball to the defender, the next player starts from group 1 and the player that had the shot becomes the new defender. The player that had the first shot and then defended, goes to the back of there queue. (Players should always finish up in the same queue and attack the same goal).

General

Triangle Pass and Move Passing...

Players stand in a triangle formation, with an extra man stood behind the player on the ball. Players pass in a clockwise direction, following their pass.

General

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gate SESSIONS
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Passing Accuracy - Ole Ole Ole Session

Hear the crowd chant 'Ole Ole Ole' as your team pass with confidence and consistency to keep possession and tire their opponents!

Junior Short Passing - Technique and Games Session

Use this pass and move plan to improve your team's in-step passing technique - helping them to keep possession for longer!

Prevent Opponents Playing Through Midfield

Sometimes you have to play negatively. If their midfield gets on top of you, it’s time to break it down and stop them playing.
gate ANSWERS
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wheres the ball

Archived User Coach

best way to run a through the gate session for mixed?

best way to run a through the gate session for mixed ability adults

Archived User Coach

My team can't seem to get the ball and pass?

Every time my get the ball they will always kick it long and give straight to the time where as they need to gert it and pass. Can any one help?

Matthew Perkins Coach, England

I'm looking for U8 team coaching ideas?

please feel free to text me or call me with your ideas %3A 07903 871542 or post a reply below

Bradley Lewis Coach, England

Developing Dribble Dash

Hi all ,As part of my course I have to develop dribble dash into more of a game format.Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.Thanks

Bill Campbell Coach, England

What do kids do whilst I set up drills?

Just wondering what other coaches do with the kids whilst I set up the cones for the drills? Normally I ask them to have a drink but whilst I am setting up the cones I find balls flying everywhere because they are messing around with them. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

jason kettles Coach, England

wheres the ball | Sportplan

Archived User Coach

Kids are very slow and lack re...

Hello all! My kids aged 9 and 7 are very slow when compared to their peers of the same age. They don't seem to fight for the ball and get and watch others play their game. They seem to lack the urgency (heart) needed for the game. (They LOVE football). How can make them move around and react faster. Any help you are able to provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks O

Archived User Coach

Managing Substitutions u9s - 7...

Hi I have quite a large squad (11) for my U9s team. Sometimes not all of them turn up but when they do managing the substitutions can be a nightmare. Have tried planning it out and making 3 subs on a rotation every 6 or 7 minutes. This works OK, just wondered how others do it? Thanks! Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Andrew Ellis Coach, England

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