Run the Gauntlet

Set up

• Mark a 30 by 24 grid divided into three lanes. Put a defender in each of the first two lanes and a keeper at the end of the third.
• Attackers start at the first lane with a ball each.

Balls, bibs, cones and nets. 30 by 24 grid divided into three lanes of 10 by 8.

How to play

• Attackers try to beat the defender 1v1 in that lane by dribbling to the far cones.
• If they make it across without losing the ball they move on to the next lane. If the defender wins the ball, the two players switch places: the attacker becomes the defender and the defender moves to the next lane.
• In the final lane, players have five seconds to dribble down and try to score past the keeper.
• Each child counts their own lanes beaten.

Keeping everyone moving

Run two gauntlets side by side so the wait is short, and drop the points system. Each child counts their own lanes beaten.

Three things to say

• First touch, dribbling and running with the ball.
• Shooting technique and decision making.
• Defending: side on, on toes, low.

Safety: No slide tackles. Academy keeper safety rules apply in the last lane.

Keeping score: Each child keeps their own count and tries to beat it next time. Nothing is compared between children.