Counter Passing Gate Channel

Objective

• -Repeat accurate passing through tight gates
• -Improve first touch away from the gate
• -Add travelling passes on the move

Setup

1. 1A channel with three passing gates spaced along it in a 32 x 18 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3One ball per pair and a spare at the coach's feet.

How to play

1. 1Pairs travel down the channel passing through each gate in turn.
2. 2The receiver must control beyond the gate before returning the ball.
3. 3Turn at the end and work back down the channel.
4. 4The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Progressions

• +Counter must be finished inside five seconds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Award the counter goal for simply carrying over halfway
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Swap the counter goals for a dribble-through gate
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Passing behind the moving partner
• -Stopping the ball dead at every gate
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on