Gate Passing Soccer 3v3

A soccer game with no goals where teams score by passing the ball to a teammate through any of the cone gates scattered around the field. Students practice ground passes, body orientation, field vision, and getting open behind the defense.

How to play

1. Scatter six 5-ft cone gates around a 65 x 65 ft field; form teams of 3 in pinnies, with two teams per field and two or three fields running at once (3 min).
2. A team scores 1 point when a player passes the ball through a gate and a teammate controls it on the other side.
3. You can't score through the same gate twice in a row; dribble or pass to another gate.
4. Defenders may steal the ball, but nobody may stand inside a gate to block it.
5. Play 3-minute games and switch opponents on the whistle (12 min, 4 games).
6. At the end, ask each team which gate was easiest to score through and why (3 min).

Rules

• Passes must stay on the ground; air balls don't count.
• No hands and no tackling from behind.
• No standing between the two cones of a gate.
• Safety: use a soft or foam soccer ball and dribble with your head up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: roll the ball by hand from a chair and act as a receiver at a fixed gate.
• Shyness: start in teams with trusted classmates and praise passes more than points.
• Skill level: allow a sole-of-the-foot trap before passing.

Learning goals

• Make accurate ground passes through a narrow space.
• Get open behind a free gate to receive.
• Switch targets based on where the defenders are.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soccer balls: 4
• cones: 36
• pinnies: 12

Teacher tip

Set gates at different angles so students have to open up their bodies. If teams bunch up, add two more gates.

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