Gates dribbling soccer drill
Gates dribbling is a game in which every player has a ball and scores a point each time they dribble through a small gate made of two cones. It trains dribbling with the head up, because players must look for a gate that is open.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Gates dribbling: setup diagram
At a glance
| Detail | For this drill |
|---|---|
| Ages | U6 to U10 (ages 5 to 10) |
| Players | 6 to 16, one ball each |
| Space | 25 x 20 yd (23 x 18 m) |
| Equipment | 12 to 20 cones for 6 to 10 gates; one ball per player |
| Time | 8 to 10 minutes, in one-minute rounds |
| Skill | Dribbling and ball mastery |
Change the size of the area to fit your group: bigger makes it easier for the player with the ball, smaller makes it harder. Everyone who goes out comes straight back in, and nobody runs laps.
How to run it
- Scatter gates around the area. A gate is two cones about 2 yards apart. Make a few more gates than you have players.
- Everyone starts dribbling. A player scores one point for dribbling through a gate, in either direction.
- A player may not go through the same gate twice in a row.
- Play for one minute. Players count their own points. Rest, then try to beat the score.
- Round three: points only count with the weaker foot. Round four: add one or two defenders without a ball who can stand in a gate to close it.
Coaching points to say out loud
- “Find an empty gate.”
- “Head up, then go.”
- “Speed up after the gate.”
- “Small touches in traffic.”
Make it easier or harder
Easier
Make the gates 3 yards wide and the area bigger. For U6, call the gates “doors” or “tunnels” and let players count out loud.
Harder
Add defenders who close gates, or make every second gate a color that is worth double. Players then have to scan for the best gate, not just the nearest.
Common mistakes
- Players queue at one gate. Tell them an empty gate is the best gate.
- Kicking the ball through and chasing it. The ball must stay within a step of the player.
- Too few gates, which causes crashes. Use more gates than players.
Why it matters in a game
A gate is a gap between two defenders. A player who dribbles with their eyes up sees which gap is open and carries the ball through it, which is exactly the choice in our lesson on carrying the ball: go where the defender is not.
The lesson that teaches it: Carry or Pass?.
Do it at home
Set up four gates with shoes in the yard. How many gates can you get through in 45 seconds? A parent can stand in one gate to close it.
Questions about Gates dribbling
How wide should the gates be?
About 2 yards, or two big steps. Wider for beginners, narrower for players who find it easy.
How many gates do I need?
A few more than the number of players, so there is always an open gate to find. For 10 players, 12 gates is about right.
Can I use gates for passing too?
Yes. Put the players in pairs with one ball, and a point is a pass through a gate to your partner. That version is on our partner passing page.
Lessons that teach this idea
- Carry or Pass? (7v7 lesson)Watch which route the defender leaves open.
- Make Room for Your Team (7v7 lesson)Spread into useful space so the player on the ball has another route.
- Give Your Teammate Room to Dribble (7v7 lesson)The sole middle midfielder leaves room for a wide teammate to try a one-against-one, then reconnects after the dribble.
Related drills and guides
- Busy square dribbling (drill)It trains dribbling with the head up, because a player who only looks at the ball will bump into someone.
- Sharks and Minnows (drill)It trains dribbling under pressure: keeping the ball close, changing direction and using open space.
- Partner passing through gates (drill)It trains accurate passing with the inside of the foot and moving to a new place after every pass.
- Cone weave dribbling (drill)It trains close control and changing direction, the skill a player needs to carry the ball past a defender.
- Winger in soccerThe wide attacker who takes players on
- Central midfielder in soccerThe link player who receives on the turn
- U6 soccer drills: fun games for 5 and 6 year oldsNine games for 5 and 6 year olds, a ball each, with what to avoid
- U8 soccer drills for 7 and 8 year oldsTen drills for 7 and 8 year olds: dribbling, 1v1, first passing and 3v3
- U10 soccer drills for 9 and 10 year oldsTen drills for 9 and 10 year olds: rondos, first touch, 2v1 and first goalkeeping
- Soccer dribbling drills for kidsBall mastery, ball-each games, turns and 1v1 for every age
- U6 soccer practice plan: dribblingA 45-minute plan that uses this drill
- U8 soccer practice plan: dribbling and 1v1A 60-minute plan that uses this drill
- All dribbling and ball mastery drillsOne ball each: lots of touches, turns and changes of speed.
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.