Dribbling Through Gates Competition
Everyone dribbles at once, racing to score a point for every gate they dribble through in one minute — yelling their count as they go.
Racing through the gates builds dribbling under pressure — quick decision-making and ball control, with agility and precision while maintaining speed.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones or practice sticks for the gates and a ball for every player.
- Build: Build a 25-by-20 area and randomly set up 2-yard gates around it — the count is yours to pick.
- Place: All of the players start inside the area, each with a ball.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Dribbling at speed — quick decision-making, heads up to find the next gate quickly, the ball close and in control, and maneuvering it with all parts of the foot.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
On your command everyone races to dribble through as many gates as they can in one minute, yelling their score at every gate — the highest count wins.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Send everyone into the area with a ball.
Coach says
Everybody in with your ball — every gate you dribble through is a point.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the rules — a point for every gate dribbled through, yell your score as you go through it, and no returning to a gate until you've dribbled through all of them.
Coach says
Through a gate, yell your number — one! two! And you can't repeat a gate until you've hit them all.
3Play▾
Coach does
Start the minute and let them race — the race itself encourages a faster dribbling pace. Watch heads come up to find the next gate quickly, the ball close and in control, and all parts of the foot maneuvering it.
Coach says
Go! Eyes up — where's your next gate? Keep it close!
Look for: Heads up between gates — finding the next one quickly while the ball stays close and in control.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
At the end of the minute, ask every player for their count and declare the winner — then run it again. For new rounds, increase the time frame, or increase or decrease the area between the gates.
Coach says
Time! Shout your scores... we have a champion. Round two — the gates are moving.
If it's not working
If it turns into traffic jams at the same few gates, increase the area between the gates while they play — then pull them back in.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.