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Practice games

Gate Guard

You walk to block the gate your child is heading for. They score a point for every other gate they go through in 90 seconds, then you swap.

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

Me and My Ball Brave 1v1 Be brave

At a glance

  • 5 gates, each two markers (or shoes or cups) a giant step apart, round the space. You are the blocker (G); your child has the ball.
  • You walk to the gate they're heading for and stand in front of it. They dribble through any gate you aren't blocking.
  • A point for every gate they go through in 90 seconds. Then swap: your child blocks and you dribble.
  • Progress 1: You jog instead of walking, so you can get to a gate faster.
  • Progress 2: A different gate every time: they can't use the same gate twice in a row.

If it's not working: Walk slowly between gates.

Gate Guard: set-upG121 G blocks one gate, 2 dribble through another.
  • your child
  • Ggrown-up
  • dribble
  • 1in this order

Five gates spread round the garden. The grown-up stands in front of one gate to block it, and the child dribbles through any of the others, counting gates in 90 seconds.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips

Set up

  • Set up 5 gates (two markers a giant step apart) round the space. You are the blocker, ready to walk to the gate they head for.

Garden, park.

How to play

  • You walk to the gate your child is heading for and stand in front of it.
  • Your child dribbles through any gate you're not blocking. A point for every gate in 90 seconds.
  • Then swap roles.

Make it easier

  • Walk slowly between gates.
  • Add 2 more gates, so an open gate is never far away.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. You jog instead of walking.
  2. A different gate every time: they can't use the same gate twice in a row.
  3. Take one gate away so there are only four, and one of them is always blocked.

Three things to say

  • Look for the open gate, not the blocked one.
  • Change direction early.

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.