Carnmoney Colts Academy badgeCarnmoney ColtsAcademy

Practice games

Turning Gates

Also called Turn and Burn

Dribble to the gate, do a turn or a 1v1 skill in it, and dribble back, changing the move every 30 seconds.

Practice 13 min 4 to 16 players Cage Half pitch Hall 2016 to 2019

Me and My Ball Work hard

Turning Gates set-up, from the Irish FA Grassroots Resource Booklet

Set up

  • Set out a 5 by 5 gate for every pair, spread around the area.
  • Partners face each other across their gate, each with a ball.

Pairs face each other across a 5 by 5 gate. 1 ball each.

How to play

  • Both players dribble toward the centre of the gate at the same time, complete a turn (drag-back, inside chop, outside chop, Cruyff turn) and dribble back to their side.
  • Repeat, changing the turn every 30 to 45 seconds.

Keeping everyone moving

The booklet runs lines of 3 with one ball and a relay race. At Colts every child has a ball and every pair works at once. No relay, no race.

Make it easier

Make it harder

  • Use both feet: first go right footed, second go left footed.
  • At the centre of the gate complete a 1v1 skill (shoulder drop, step over) and swap sides. Change the skill every 30 to 45 seconds.

Three things to say

  • Realistic turns, timing and speed of turns and 1v1 skills.
  • Exaggerate turns and skills to affect the opponent.
  • Quality of dribbling at speed.

Colts habit

Work hard: slow into the turn, fast out.

Both feet

Every turn on both feet.

Heads up

Look up as you come out of the turn.

The Colts change: The booklet runs lines of 3 with one ball and a relay race. At Colts every child has a ball and every pair works at once. No relay, no race.

Safety: Keep the area clear of bags and bottles. Stay on your feet, no slide tackles. No heading.

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