Dribbling through gates teaches kids to change direction while keeping the ball close. This is the foundation of all ball movement.
Equipment needed: 12 cones (creating 6 gates), 8-10 soccer balls, open space about 40 by 30 yards.
Setup: Arrange cones in a line 10 feet apart, creating six gates. Each gate is two cones 4 feet apart.
How to run it:
- Kids dribble through the first gate with their right foot, then the next gate with their left foot, alternating all the way.
- First round: slow (just touch the ball between each gate).
- Second round: medium (move faster, touch twice per gate).
- Third round: fast (move as fast as possible, one touch per gate).
- Rotate kids through so each gets three rounds.
What to look for: Touch consistency and speed. The faster they dribble, the closer the touches need to be to control the ball.
Variation: For younger kids (5-6), make the gates wider (6 feet apart). For older kids (7), make them narrower (3 feet apart) and time them to see who’s fastest.