Find The Gap

Objective

• -React to open space
• -Control and move quickly
• -Warm up touch and scanning

Setup

1. 1Scatter lots of cones around an 18 x 18 yard area with small gaps between them.
2. 2Each player has a ball.
3. 3Players move freely in the space.

How to play

1. 1Players dribble around the area using quick touches.
2. 2On the coach's signal, they must take a first touch through a gap between cones.
3. 3After the touch, they dribble away and look for a new gap.
4. 4Use different calls for left foot, right foot or sole stop.
5. 5Keep it lively and safe.

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

• -Looking down constantly
• -Driving the ball into cones
• -Slow reactions to the cue