Touch And Go Gates

Objective

• -Attack space with confidence
• -Improve first touch into movement
• -Use ball mastery at speed

Setup

1. 1Set several gates in a zigzag across the pitch.
2. 2Players start in lines at one end with balls.
3. 3Leave enough space for safe acceleration after each gate.

How to play

1. 1Players dribble to the first gate and use a turn or stop-start move.
2. 2They then burst to the next gate and repeat the pattern.
3. 3Encourage them to vary the move each time they arrive at a gate.
4. 4Once they reach the end, they turn and come back through different gates.
5. 5Keep the whole drill moving with minimal waiting.

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

• -Arriving at gates too fast
• -Using the same move repeatedly
• -Losing control after the turn