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Practice games

Beat the Gate

Your child dribbles past you and through a gate, again and again. One point for each trip through in 90 seconds.

At home 15 min 1 to 2 players Garden Park With a grown-up 2016 to 2019

Brave 1v1 Be brave

At a glance

  • Two markers 2 big steps apart make the gate, and you (G) guard it from just in front. Your child starts 6 big steps back, with the ball.
  • Your child dribbles at the gate, gets past you and goes through. You walk and don't tackle.
  • They loop back to the start and go again: one point for each trip through the gate in 90 seconds. Then swap.
  • Progress 1: Guard at a jog and try to win the ball. If you win it, the point is yours.
  • Progress 2: Same, with a second gate 4 big steps along. They pick the gate you're furthest from.

If it's not working: Make the gate 3 big steps wide, and keep one foot on a marker so you can only stretch.

Beat the Gate: set-upG1231 dribble at the gate, 2 beat G, 3 through it.
  • your child
  • Ggrown-up
  • dribble
  • 1in this order

Two markers make the gate and the grown-up (G) guards it at a walk. The child dribbles at the gate, gets past and goes through. One point for each trip in 90 seconds, then swap.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips

Set up

  • Make a gate with two markers, 2 big steps apart.
  • You (G) guard it from just in front. Your child starts 6 big steps back with the ball. Have a timer ready.

A flat patch of garden or park about 12 big steps long and 8 wide.

How to play

  • Your child dribbles at the gate, gets past you and goes through. You walk and don't tackle.
  • They loop back round to the start and go again. One point for each trip through without touching a marker, in 90 seconds.
  • Then swap roles.

Make it easier

  • Make the gate 3 big steps wide, and keep one foot on a marker so you can only stretch.
  • Start your child closer, 3 big steps from the gate.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. Guard at a jog and try to win the ball. If you win it, the point is yours.
  2. Same, with a second gate 4 big steps along. They pick the gate you're furthest from.
  3. Practice foot only.

Three things to say

  • Lean one way, then go the other.

Colts habit

Work hard: little and often beats one long go.

Both feet

Do a round with the practice foot only.

Heads up

Look up between touches.

Safety: Pick a clear, flat space, look out for traffic and hazards, and stop if anything hurts. Soft ball indoors.

My best

Gates in 90 seconds. Last time and this time. Only ever compared with their own earlier go, never with anyone else's. Saved on this device only.