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Free activity · 100 Possession ActivitiesSplit the Gate
Four attackers around a 12x12 with two defenders standing as a gate in the middle, three yards apart. A pass through the gate is three points; around is one. The first through-the-lines activity.
Setup
A 12x12 with two defenders standing as a gate in the middle, 3 yards apart. Four attackers on the sides.
How it works
- A pass through the gate is three points. Around is one.
- The gate players may move sideways together but not forward.
- Six passes without a split still scores one.
Scoring
First to 15.
- Disguise it: look one way, play the other.
- Receive facing the gate so the pass is on first time.
- Move the gate with the ball, then go through.
Make it easier or harder
- Progression 1: The gate closes to 2 yards.
- Progression 2: The gate players may press once per possession, then return.
Coach’s notes
- If It Stalls: Nobody trying the split? Only splits count for a minute.
Why it works
Playing through a line of defenders is a disguise skill as much as a passing skill. Because the gate players can only slide sideways together, the attackers learn to move them with a pass to one side and then play through the space that opens on the other.
The six-passes-still-scores rule keeps the ball moving when the gate is shut. Without it players force splits that are not there.
Where it sits
This is activity 21 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 3 · Through the Lines). The book is ten themes of ten rungs each, from a 3v1 square to a full 9v9 transition game, and every activity has its setup, rules, scoring, two progressions, three coaching points and an animated video like the one above.
All playing through the lines drills ›
More like this
Ages 11+ · Possession and passingPocket RondoThree lines of cones split a 15x12 into thirds. Four attackers on the ends, one in the middle third with three defenders.
Open the activity ›
Ages 11+ · Possession and passingPass and Move SquareA 4v1 rondo with one rule that changes everything: after you pass, you must move to a different side of the square before you can receive again.
Open the activity ›
Ages 11+ · Possession and passingTraveling TriangleThree attackers with one ball travel down a 10x30 channel against a defender who may only walk, keeping a triangle around the defender the whole way.
Open the activity ›All ten rungs of this theme, and nine more themes
100 Possession Activities is a 115-page PDF with 100 animated MP4 videos: rondos, playing out from the back, through the lines, support, switching, overloads, movement, timing, counter-pressing and counter-attacks. Print the page, watch the clip, run the session.