Gates dribbling: 60-second speed dribbling
The grassroots classic: six 1-yard gates spread across a 15x20 yard rectangle; every player scores a point for each gate dribbled through in 60 seconds, never the same gate twice in a row.
Step 1Primera puerta
1 / 3
A la señal, cada jugador cruza la puerta libre más cercana.
Objective
Dribble with the head up, pick the nearest free gate and change direction with short, precise touches at speed.
Organisation
15x20 yard rectangle marked with cones. Six gates about 1 yard wide made with two discs, spread around the area and facing different directions. One ball per player. The coach times 60-second rounds.
Development
- 1Players start spread around the rectangle with a ball at their feet.
- 2On the signal, each player dribbles through as many gates as possible in 60 seconds; each gate crossed with the ball under control is one point.
- 3You cannot go through the same gate twice in a row or through a gate another player is using: head up and find another one.
- 4On the final whistle every player calls out their score; the coach announces the winner and gives 30 seconds of rest.
- 5Round 2: weak foot only. Round 3: a move or turn (scissors, drag-back, outside hook) is required at every gate. Play 4-5 rounds trying to beat your own score.
Coaching points4
- Head up before choosing the gate: look, decide, accelerate.
- Small touches near the gate, a bigger touch into the free space between gates.
- Change direction with the outside and inside of both feet.
- Slow down at the gate if another player is coming: the ball stays under control.
Common mistakes3
- Watching only the ball and colliding with teammates at the same gate.
- Always using the two nearest gates and running the same loop.
- Losing the ball by accelerating with a touch that is too big.
Variations3
- Coloured gates: the coach calls a colour and only those gates count.
- In pairs: one dribbles while the other counts points, then swap.
- Narrower gates (60 cm) to demand more precision.
Progressions2
- Add one or two defenders without a ball who can close gates by standing in them.
- A specific move is required before crossing each gate.
Regressions2
- Fewer, wider gates and no stopwatch.
- Rolling the ball with the hand for the youngest players.
Tips
- Use discs of different colours so you can call colours.
- Ask every child to beat their own record rather than someone else's.