Pass Through the Gate

Objective

• Pass with the inside of the foot to a target, and control what comes back

Set-up and how it runs

• Set six gates around the square, three yards wide.
• Pairs share a ball and stand either side of a gate, five yards apart.
• Pass through the gate to your partner, who controls it and passes back. Five passes each, then move to a different gate.
• Every pair must use every gate before anyone repeats one.

Equipment

• 12 cones (6 gates)
• A ball per pair

Coaching points

• Non-kicking foot pointing at your partner
• Inside of the foot, ankle locked — pass with the side, not the toe
• Firm enough to arrive, not so hard your partner can't stop it
• First touch out of your feet, then pass

Progressions

• Widen the distance to ten yards
• Weak foot only
• Two touch, then one touch
• Partner moves along the gate so the pass has to be led

What it develops

Technical

Passing and receiving

Psychosocial

Cooperation

Physical

Coordination and balance