Gate Keepers – Soccer Training Activity (U5–U10)
Coach: Renata Lawson
Club: Copper Mountain Soccer Club
Role: Director of Coaching
Qualification: USSF “D” (United States)
Date: May 3, 2020
Duration: 30 minutes
Age Group: U5–U10
Session Objective
Finding and creating space for directional play.
Warm-Up: Colored Gates (5 minutes)
Description
Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair, and follow the coach’s instructions together. The coach calls out a sequence of colored gates (for example: yellow → red or blue → red → yellow), and players must dribble through those gates in order.
The coach moves around the area, so once players complete a sequence they must find the coach for new instructions.
Progressions
- Older players pass one ball between partners through each gate
- Limit touches to increase difficulty
Coaching Points
- Remind players to keep checking where the coach is
- Encourage communication with their partner—each challenge must be completed together
- Ask players to plan ahead
- While dribbling through one gate, players should already be looking for the next gate
Activity 1: Gate Keepers (8–12 minutes)
Description
Two-thirds of the players have a ball and try to dribble through as many gates as possible. The remaining one-third are gatekeepers without a ball.
Gatekeepers:
- Can move freely
- Can defend any gate
Rotate gatekeepers approximately every two minutes.
Progression
- Gatekeepers try not only to block gates, but also to steal balls and become attackers
- If a player’s ball is stolen, they become a gatekeeper
Coaching Points
- Encourage players to look for open gates
- Attack gates when the gatekeeper isn’t looking
- Emphasize keeping the ball close to avoid losing possession
Activity 2: 4 Gate Game (8–12 minutes)
Description
Set up a 20×20 yard grid with 4–5 yard wide gates placed in each corner. There are two teams, and players score by dribbling through any gate.
Coaching Points
- Frequently ask players which gates are open
- Reinforce that open space changes quickly
- Encourage players to communicate when they see an open gate
- Attacking teams should spread out so only one player is on the ball
- Supporting players should make space but stay ready to help
Activity 3: Scrimmage (8–12 minutes)
Description
Small-sided game played on a 20×30 yard grid.
Coaching Points
- Encourage side-to-side movement to beat defenders
- Help players recognize defender movement and change direction
- Emphasize pushing the ball instead of kicking
- Reinforce that frequent changes of direction are hard for defenders to handle