Gate Dribbling
Dribble through 5 gates made of two markers, using both feet and changing your mind about which gate to aim for.
At a glance
- 5 gates round the space, each two markers (or shoes or cups) a giant step apart. Your child dribbles; you keep time.
- 3 minutes through as many gates as they can. Then 2 minutes using the inside to bring the ball in, the outside to push it wide.
- 2 minutes of change of mind: head for one gate, then turn away and go through a different one.
- Finish with 5 gates using only the practice foot.
- Progress 1: Skill at the gate: a drag-back or side-to-side just before they go through.
- Progress 2: Blocker: you stand in front of one gate. They use a different gate, and you move to a new gate after each one.
If it's not working: Make each gate two giant steps wide instead of one.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Warm up for 3 minutes: tiny-touch dribbling and a few sole rolls.
- Set up 5 gates (two markers a giant step apart) around the space.
Garden, park.
How to play
- Your child dribbles through as many gates as they can. 3 minutes.
- Both feet: inside of the foot to bring the ball in, outside to push it wide as they line up each gate. 2 minutes.
- Change of mind: they head for one gate, then turn away and find a different one. 2 minutes.
- Practice foot: 5 gates using only the practice foot.
Make it easier
- Make each gate two giant steps wide instead of one.
- Start with just 3 gates and plenty of room around each one.
Make it harder, step by step
- Skill at the gate: a drag-back or side-to-side just before they go through.
- Blocker: you stand in front of one gate. They must use a different gate, and you move to a new gate after each one.
- Two-touch rule: only two touches between gates, so they plan the route with their head up.
Three things to say
- Head up to spot the next gate before you reach this one.
- Inside to bring it in, outside to push wide.
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.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2016 to 2017
- Practice-foot gates: 2 rounds.
- 2018 to 2019
- Practice-foot gates: 1 round.
Safety: Pick a clear, flat space, look out for traffic and hazards, and stop if anything hurts. Soft ball indoors.
Keeping score: Not counted. Tick the drills they did today.