This month, we’re highlighting a deceptively simple yet powerful activity—The Gates Game—and how it supports our games-based approach to player development. Whether you’re working with 5U players just learning to dribble or 13U players developing scanning and passing under pressure, this flexible activity creates a fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment for learning.
By modifying the setup, player roles, and rules, coaches can target a variety of player actions such as scanning, dribbling, passing, driving, and adapting body shape—all within a game-like context that invites decision-making and problem-solving in a fun environment. The Gates Game embodies our core coaching belief: hide the learning inside the fun of the activity.
Why the Gates Game Works (and How to Use It Across Age Groups)
The Gates Game is an activity that can be adjusted to fit your coaching goals and player needs. Here’s how it supports player development across stages:
Discovery Phase (5U–6U): ME AND THE BALL
- Players develop fundamental movement skills (ME AND MY MOVEMENT SKILLS)
- Players develop eye-hand and eye-foot coordination (ME AND MY BALL)
- Players are introduced to fundamental soccer skills with the ball (ME AND MY BALL)
- Players are introduced to cooperative play without structured team play (ME AND MY TEAMMATE)
- Variation: Maze Play – 1 ball per player. Can be used as a warm-up without the ball to help players develop physical literacy.
- Focus: Dribbling and driving through as many gates as possible.
- Why it works: It’s directionless, safe, and encourages repetition without boredom. Players explore movement and develop comfort on the ball.
- Coach Tip: Let them go! Minimal instruction, maximum play and exploration.
- Video Example #1: Gates Warm-Up
- Video Example #2: Gate Tag – a slightly different variation for the placement of the gates
- Video Example #3: Gates Games – dribbling or passing focus
Foundation Phase I–II (7U–10U): ME AND MY TEAMMATES
- Players develop scanning skills (ME AND MY SCANNING SKILLS)
- Players develop fundamental movement skills (ME AND MY MOVEMENT SKILLS)
- Players develop fundamental soccer skills with and without the ball (ME AND THE BALL)
- Players are introduced to cooperative, low-structured team play (ME AND MY TEAMMATES)
- Variations: Paired Passing through Gates (increase pressure by adding defenders)
- Focus: Passing, receiving, and scanning for space and teammates.
Why it works: Introduces collaboration, movement off the ball, and communication in a low-pressure setting. - Coach Tip: Challenge players to pass through a gate and then move to a new one—dynamic and fun! Use positive and specific communication with each other about what to do next (rather than just calling for the ball)
- Video Example #1: Gates Warm-Up
- Video Example #2: Gate Tag – a slightly different variation for the placement of the gates
- Video Example #3: Gates Games – dribbling or passing focus
- Video Example #4: Gates Games with a Defender
Foundation Phase III (11U–12U): ME AND MY TEAMMATES
- Players develop scanning skills (ME AND MY SCANNING SKILLS)
- Players develop fundamental movement skills (ME AND MY MOVEMENT SKILLS)
- Players continue to develop fundamental soccer skills with and without the ball under a moderate level of pressure (ME AND THE BALL)
- Players develop cooperative, moderate-structured team play based on a Game Model (ME AND MY TEAMMATES)
- Variation: Make it a possession game between two teams
- Focus: Scanning, spatial awareness, shielding, and quick decision-making under pressure.
- Why it works: Players are tasked with choosing the best option between passing or dribbling while avoiding defenders. This introduces real-game cues in a small-sided context.
- Coach Tip: Rotate roles—everyone gets reps in attacking and defending.
- Video Example #1: Gates Warm-Up
- Video Example #2: Gate Tag – a slightly different variation for the placement of the gates
- Video Example #3: Gates Games – dribbling or passing focus
- Video Example #4: Gates Games with a Defender
- Video Example #5: 1v1 Gates (4-goals)
Progression Phase (13U+): OUR STYLE OF PLAY
- Players develop scanning skills (ME AND MY SCANNING SKILLS)
- Players develop fundamental movement skills (ME AND MY MOVEMENT SKILLS)
- Players continue to develop fundamental soccer skills with and without the ball under a high level of pressure (ME AND THE BALL)
- Variation: Combination Play with Constraints
- Focus: Quick passing sequences, timing, scanning, and team communication.
- Why it works: Increases speed of play and reinforces tactical ideas like finding the third player or playing to space.
- Coach Tip: Add conditions (e.g., combination play through a gate, 1-touch only, etc.) to increase difficulty and cognitive load.
- Video Example #1: Gates Warm-Up
- Video Example #2: Gate Tag – a slightly different variation for the placement of the gates
- Video Example #3: Gates Games – dribbling or passing focus
- Video Example #4: Gates Games with a Defender
- Video Example #5: 1v1 Gates (4-goals)
- Video Example #6: Gates – Possession Game
The Gates Game & The Self-Regulating Player
Because players constantly make choices about which gate, which teammate, when to dribble, and when to pass, the Gates Game also supports the development of the self-regulating player—a key CRYSC Player Quality. The game fosters autonomy, self-correction, and reflection without needing heavy coach intervention.
Coach Challenge of the Month:
Decide on some desired behaviors like dribbling or driving as the key player actions and try running the “Gates Game” in back-to-back sessions with small variations and note how player decisions evolve. What cues do they respond to? When do they begin to self-adjust? How can you guide without giving the answers?
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) serves approximately 10,000 players ages three through 19, beginner to elite, in year-round leagues, camps, and tournaments. As a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CRYSC has been named a top 15 youth soccer club in the U.S. by Soccerwire and the top youth soccer club in Colorado by Colorado Parent Magazine. CRYSC’s mission is to provide an environment where young soccer players from diverse backgrounds are guided and inspired to reach their full potential, both on and off the field.
