Passing Gates Game

DESCRIPTION

Setup:

• 1/3 pitch, divided to keep age groups separate
• Different coloured gates spaced around the playing zone.
• Up to 3 goals with/without GKs.

Procedure:

• Coach calls out 3 colours, i.e."green, white, yellow", pairs compete to pass/carry through gates and score first.
• 2 pairs compete to pass through as many gates in [15]s as possible then score. Coach counts down. No. of gates passed through = pt value of the goal.

Variations:

• Carrying version: individually players compete to carry through gates and score first.
• Players have to pass through the coloured gates 1) in order that the coach calls them out, or 2) in any order
• Players all score in the same goal, or in different goals depending on the age group.
• Instead of calling out colours, call out things of that colour, i.e. "apples, bananas, strawberries, snow, tangerines, sky".
• Goalposts: you can use cones for goalposts
• If no GKs: place obstacles in the goals.
• No. of players competing at one time: 2-10 / girls only / boys only / U10s only / U12s only, etc.

Progressions:

• To increase pressure in possession: Add in 1-3 defenders who can only tackle pairs in their age group (i.e. U12 v U12, U10 v U10)

COACHING POINTS

This game:

• can be used as a warm-up
• suits mixed abilities and ages
• practises passing, carrying shooting and tackling
• can be used to focus on a particular skill or tactic (i.e. tackling, passing shooting)