Cone Gate Cruise

Objective

• -Use lots of small touches
• -Change speed and direction
• -Keep the ball under control in traffic

Setup

1. 1Mark out a square with cones and place lots of small cone gates inside it.
2. 2Each player has a ball and starts on the outside edge of the area.
3. 3Use a few spare markers to show a clear starting line for the group.

How to play

1. 1Players dribble freely through the area using both feet and many different touches.
2. 2When they reach a gate, they must pass through it with a change of direction.
3. 3On your call, players change to a new move such as drag back, inside cut or outside cut.
4. 4Encourage them to keep checking space and avoid bumping into others.
5. 5After each call, let them keep flowing without stopping the game.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Ball too far from feet
• -Looking down all the time
• -Turning too slowly