Football drill bank: Gate goals
Gate goals are tools used in football training that help players develop their accuracy and timing in passing and goal attempts. This keyword includes exercises that use small goal frames or gates aimed at improving players' ability to control the ball and execute precise passes through narrow openings. Through these drills, players can effectively develop their game vision and passing artistry, which is essential for controlling game situations.
Drills: Gate goals
Gate Game in Pairs
One player has the ball, score goals by dribbling through the gate, the ball must remain under control. Timed switch for who has the ball, about 1-2 min efficient games to maintain tempo. After a steal, the ball goes back to the attacking player, ensuring both players get attempts with the ball. Praise for successful dribbles to goal.
Passing Game with Joker / Dice Five
2 teams + joker. For example, 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 (+ joker) depending on the area size. Teams play against each other, scoring a point for each successful pass through a gate goal. It's better to use cones or sticks instead of flat markers if possible. The joker always creates a numerical advantage for the team in possession. Can be played in sets, e.g., to 10 points, or as a timed game counting the final score. Immediate pass back through the same gate goal is not allowed. The coach can initially act as the joker, clarifying effective ways to find open spaces / gates and passing directions. Gate goals can be arranged in formations other than the "dice five" pattern. As a variation, it can also be played as a 4 v 2 game, where the scoring team has a clearer numerical advantage, making it considerably easier to score. In this case, rotate the defenders/ball interceptors.
Passing and Moving to Receive
In groups of four, play 3v1 (this can be scaled according to the group size, but with a smaller group it stays more active). The goal is to score by passing through a gate. If the defender manages to steal the ball, they try to dribble the ball through any gate, and then the attackers start again. It's beneficial if the gates are different colors, so the attackers can communicate with each other ("red!"). The defender can be changed, for example, after 3 defender goals. The aim is for the pass to come through the gate to a player in motion, in front of the player, so that the ball is controlled forward and the speed never stops.
1v1 to Four Gate Goals
The drill can be done from both the attacker's and defender's perspective, in which case the coaching points change. The coach passes the ball to a player in one of the lines, making that player the attacker, while the first player in the other line becomes the defender. The attacker tries to score by dribbling through one of the two gate goals on the other side. If the defender manages to steal the ball, they become the attacker aiming for the gate goals on the opposite side.
1v1 to side gate goals
Coach passes the ball to one of the sides, making the player with the ball the attacker and the player from the opposite side the defender. Play 1v1 where either gate goal can be used. If the defender steals the ball, roles switch and the situation is played out.
Dribble & Turn at Gates
Dribble in an area with gate goals. The coach gives instruction for the next turn (e.g., inside of foot, outside of foot, Cruyff, sole of foot, etc.) and gives a signal by raising a cone or bib in the air. Upon seeing the signal, players must dribble to the nearest gate and perform the instructed turn. Depending on the group and situation, it can be done either so that the color of the gates doesn't matter - or can be instructed that at the coach's signal, players must always find the correct color gate (e.g., red bib/cone in the air -> red gate). The coach uses voice as a signal for the gate color as well, if observation is still difficult otherwise.
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