2v1 to Three Gates
Two attackers try to dribble through one of three coloured gates defended by one player. A simple game to learn to look up and attack the free gate.
- Age
- U7–U12
- Players
- 6–12
- Duration
- 12 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 20 × 20 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Football-adapted game
- Objectives
- Technical: Dribbling, 1v1 attacking
- Tactical: Decision making
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Dribbling past an opponentRunning with the ball
- Tactical:Numerical superiorityScanning
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
With three gates to defend, the defender cannot protect them all. The attackers must look up, see which gate is free and either dribble there or pass to the partner who is closer to it. A playful format for young players that teaches passing at the right time without long explanations.
Objective
Read where the defender is and attack the free gate, by dribbling or passing.
Organisation
- Square of 20 × 20 m. Three 3 m gates on the far line, in different colours.
- One defender in the middle; attackers in pairs at the start line.
How it works
- The pair attacks and scores by dribbling through any gate.
- The coach can call a colour: that gate is worth two points.
- If the defender wins the ball, they dribble over the start line to score.
- After each attack the pair swaps roles with the defender.
Coaching points
- Head up: look at the gates before you look at the ball.
- Go to the gate the defender is not covering.
- Pass when the defender comes to you.
Progressions
- Gates only count if the attacker who passed last scores.
- Add a second defender (2v2).
Regressions
- Make the gates 4 m wide.
Variations
- Gates on three sides of the square.
Key principles
- Look, decide, attack the space.
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