Numbered Gates

Objective

• -Improve scanning
• -Build dribbling confidence
• -Make players react to calls

Setup

1. 1Place 8 to 10 small gates around a 20 x 15 yard area.
2. 2Number each gate with a cone or marker.
3. 3Give each player a ball and spread them evenly.

How to play

1. 1Players dribble freely and the coach calls a number.
2. 2Everyone must dribble through that gate as quickly as possible.
3. 3After passing through, players turn away and find a different gate.
4. 4If numbers are repeated, encourage a sharper route and quicker decision.
5. 5Finish with a free dribble where players try to beat their own score.

Progressions

• +Progressive Tempo: add a fourth maximal round
• +Ball For Every Player: shrink the working area
• +Reaction Start: two cues, one a decoy
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Progressive Tempo: stay at the first two tempos only
• -Ball For Every Player: bigger area, share a ball between two
• -Reaction Start: coach counts players in
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Progressive Tempo — Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
• -Ball For Every Player — Every player works with their own ball so no one waits in a queue.
• -Reaction Start — Every repetition begins from a visual or audio cue rather than a set count.
• -Partner Race — Players work in matched pairs and race each repetition, best of five.
• -Mobility Focus — Each round finishes with a controlled mobility hold for the hips, groin and ankles.
• -Change Of Direction — Add a 90 or 180 degree turn into every repetition before the finish.
• -Team Target — The whole group works to a shared score target and repeats the round if they miss it.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Players chasing the same gate
• -Ignoring the next move after the gate
• -Heavy touches into other players