Session Pitch

Pass Through Gates

Aim ground passes and move to help a partner.

U860 minRecommended 8–12 playersVersion 1.0.1

From playful exploration to a small-sided task. A complete practice with water breaks, easy variations and numbered player roles.

Adapt for your team

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Dimensions include a 2 m perimeter buffer. Confirm clear space and a usable surface before play.

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Your practice

Aim ground passes and move to help a partner.

U860 min8 players20 × 25 mField practice

Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.

Check the surface, boundaries and equipment before play. Pause or simplify whenever needed. Confirm local youth football rules. Numbered slots replace names.

  1. 10–10 minExplore and notice
  2. 210–22 minGate pairs
  3. 322–25 minWater and reset
  4. 425–40 minPass and relocate
  5. 540–55 minPut it into play
  6. 655–60 minSlow down and reflect
1

Explore and notice

10 min

Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: What made a pass easier for your partner? Stop on a raised hand.

Face the target and follow the pass.

Play

  • Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: What made a pass easier for your partner? Stop on a raised hand.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

Each player works in their own clear station with one ball. Stop together on the signal.

7 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 420s activity · 60s briefing · 60s rest · 60s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to explore and notice; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s05-arrival20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 8 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 8 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 4Station 5Station 6Station 7Station 81234567820 × 25 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 8 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 8 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
2 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
3 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
4 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
6 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
7 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
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Equipment: 8 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

2

Gate pairs

12 min

Gate pairs: send a ground pass through a two-metre gate, receive and return.

Face the target and follow the pass.

Play

  • Gate pairs: send a ground pass through a two-metre gate, receive and return.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.

10 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 600s activity · 60s briefing · 30s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to gate pairs; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s05-skill20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 41526374820 × 25 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
2 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
3 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
4 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
6 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
7 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
8 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
9 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
10 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
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Equipment: 4 balls · 12 cones · 0 goals

3

Water and reset

3 min

Offer water and rest. Collect balls and walk to the next marked areas. Explain the next task before restarting.

Face the target and follow the pass.

Play

  • Offer water and rest. Collect balls and walk to the next marked areas. Explain the next task before restarting.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

All players rest or reflect together.

Timing: 0s activity · 30s briefing · 120s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to water and reset; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s05-break20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 11234567820 × 25 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
Rest1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

4

Pass and relocate

15 min

Pass and relocate: after a successful pass, both players walk to a new open gate.

Face the target and follow the pass.

Play

  • Pass and relocate: after a successful pass, both players walk to a new open gate.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.

12 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 720s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to pass and relocate; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s05-application20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 41526374820 × 25 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
2 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
3 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
4 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
6 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
7 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
8 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
9 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
10 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
11 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
12 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
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Equipment: 4 balls · 12 cones · 0 goals

5

Put it into play

15 min

Score when a teammate receives a ground pass across the end line. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.

Face the target and follow the pass.

Play

  • Score when a teammate receives a ground pass across the end line. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

2 pitches. Teams use numbered A/B slots. Odd groups use a neutral who helps the team with the ball. Rotate slot assignments between rounds; everyone plays and each odd-pitch player takes a neutral turn.

4 rounds × 180 seconds. Timing: 720s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to put it into play; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s05-games20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Pitch 1Pitch 21A3B5A7B2A4B6A8B20 × 25 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 180s1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2)
2 · 180s1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2)
3 · 180s1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2)
4 · 180s1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2)
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Equipment: 2 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

6

Slow down and reflect

5 min

Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: What made a pass easier for your partner? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.

Face the target and follow the pass.

Play

  • Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: What made a pass easier for your partner? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

All players rest or reflect together.

2 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 120s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to slow down and reflect; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s05-close20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 11234567820 × 25 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
2 · 60s1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

After the practice

What made a pass easier for your partner?

Save field notes

Try next

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