Cone Gate Passing
In pairs, students move around a field full of cone gates and try to pass the ball through as many different gates as possible in one minute using the inside of the foot. The activity builds passing with the feet, directional first touch, and communication with a partner.
How to play
- Scatter 15 gates around the field, each made of two cones about 3 feet apart and spaced at varied distances (2 min).
- Teach the pass: plant foot next to the ball, strike with the inside of the foot, ankle locked; the receiver traps the ball with the sole or the inside of the foot (2 min).
- In pairs with one ball: partners pass through a gate, one on each side, then dribble together to a different gate (3 min of practice).
- Game: in 1-minute rounds, each pair counts how many different gates they pass through successfully; rest 30 seconds between rounds (6 min).
- Special round: only passes with the non-dominant foot count, and no gate may be repeated (2 min).
- Trio round: pairs join into threes and string together three passes through gates (3 min).
Rules
- A pass counts only if the partner controls the ball on the other side.
- You can't use the same gate twice in a row.
- If another pair is at a gate, wait or find a different one.
- Keep passes on the ground; don't lift the ball.
Variations
Easier
Gates are 6 feet wide and a foam ball is used.
Standard
Gates are 3 feet wide with inside-of-the-foot passes in 1-minute rounds.
Harder
Gates are 2 feet wide and passes must be one-touch, with no trap.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student rolls the ball by hand or pushes it with a pole from a wheelchair.
- Visual impairment: use a ball with bells, and the partner claps from the other side of the gate.
- Lower skill level: the student may stop the ball with a hand before passing again.
Learning goals
- Pass with the inside of the foot along the ground with accuracy.
- Control the ball and turn it toward the next gate.
- Communicate with a partner to choose an open gate.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soccer balls (size 4): 13
- cones: 30
Teacher tip
Remind students that the plant foot should point at the gate; toe kicks send the ball out of control. With many pairs moving, require a call before every pass to avoid collisions.
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