Gate Hop
Also called Pass and Move Gates
Pass through a gate to your partner, then run to a new gate straight away so they can find you.
At a glance
- A 20 m square with 8 to 10 gates, each two cones 2 m apart. Pairs, one ball per pair, stand either side of a gate.
- Pass through the gate to your partner, then run straight to a new gate and call their name.
- Your partner dribbles to the far side of your new gate and passes through it to you. Then they run to a new gate.
- Play 60 seconds, rest, then change partners.
- Progress 1: Two touches only: one to control, one to pass through the gate.
- Progress 2: Two gate guards stand in gates and close them, so pairs must find an open gate.
If it's not working: Make the gates 3 m wide and stay about 4 m from your partner.
- players
- run
- dribble
- pass
- 1in this order
Two pairs of the many at once, with a few of the gates. The passer plays through the gate to their partner, runs straight to a new gate and calls, and the partner dribbles round to the far side of it to pass through to them.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- Mark a 20 m by 20 m square with a disc on each corner.
- Scatter 8 to 10 gates inside, each made of two cones 2 m apart.
- Children pair up with one ball per pair.
4 to 16 children in pairs. 20 m by 20 m.
How to play
- Partners stand either side of a gate. Pass through it to your partner.
- As soon as you pass, run to a new gate and call your partner's name.
- Your partner dribbles to the other side of that gate and passes through it to you.
- Keep going: after every pass, the passer runs to a new gate.
- Play 60 seconds, rest, then go again with a new partner.
Keeping everyone moving
Every pair plays at once and the passer is always running to a new gate. No lines, and nobody waits for a turn.
Make it easier
- Make the gates 3 m wide and stay about 4 m from your partner.
- The receiver stops the ball with the sole, then passes.
Make it harder, step by step
- Two touches only: one to control, one to pass through the gate.
- Two gate guards stand in two gates and close them, so pairs must find an open gate.
- The new gate must be at least 5 m from the last one.
Three things to say
- Pass, then go. Never stand and watch your pass.
- Pick a gate your partner can see, and call their name.
- Get to the new gate before your partner is ready to pass.
Words that work: "Brilliant, you moved the moment you passed!", "Great call, your partner found you!", "You made it easy for your friend!"
Colts habit
Work hard: after every pass, run to a new gate.
Both feet
Pass with your left foot, then your right, every other pass.
Heads up
Look up for an empty gate before you run.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- A ball each: pass through a gate, chase your ball, stop it with your sole, then pick a new gate.
- 2018 to 2019
- Pairs as written, with partners about 5 m apart.
- 2016 to 2017
- Gates 1.5 m wide, two touches, and the new gate must be at least 5 m away.
A young leader can run this one, with an adult coach beside them.
Safety: Passes stay on the ground. Look up before running across the square so pairs don't collide.
Keeping score: Each child counts the new gates they ran to in 60 seconds and tries to beat their own number.