Field setup
Players4–12 players
EquipmentOne soccer ball per player or pair · 16–24 cones
HedgehogsU8 Soccer← All practice drills
Core Drill
Gates
A reusable grid of cone gates that can teach dribbling, passing, receiving, movement, and decision-making.
- Dribbling
- Passing
- Receiving
- Ball control
- Decision making
- Movement
Same setup, new problem
Variations
Keep the activity familiar. Change one constraint to bring out the skill you want to coach.
01
Focus
Dribbling
Scan for open space and carry the ball through as many gates as possible.
What changes
- One ball per player.
- Cannot immediately repeat the same gate.
Coaching cues
“Head up.”“Small touches near pressure.”“Big touch into space.”02
Focus
Turns
Practice changing direction and accelerating away.
What changes
- Dribble through a gate.
- Use an inside cut, outside cut, or sole pullback.
- Accelerate toward another gate.
Coaching cues
“Get low to turn.”“Push away into space.”03
Focus
Passing
Build accurate ground passes between moving partners.
What changes
- Work in pairs with one ball.
- Complete a pass through a gate.
- Move to a different gate.
Coaching cues
“Inside of the foot.”“Plant foot toward your teammate.”“Make the pass easy to receive.”04
Focus
Receiving
Use the first touch to prepare the next action.
What changes
- Pass through a gate.
- Receiver’s first touch moves away from the gate.
- Continue to another gate.
Coaching cues
“Don’t stop it. Set it up.”05
Focus
Pass & Move
Create a passing habit that includes immediate movement.
What changes
- Complete a pass through a gate.
- Both players immediately move.
- Find another gate.
Coaching cues
“Pass. Move. Help.”06
Focus
Gates With Defenders
Choose whether to dribble or combine with a teammate under pressure.
What changes
- Add several defenders.
- Score by passing or dribbling through a gate.
- Defenders can steal and keep the ball.