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Practice · 8 minutes

See the picture: Gate quest

Look away from the ball early enough to identify pressure, space, and the next useful option.

Why this design: Changing visual information gives every scan a purpose and makes the following touch or movement reveal whether the player used it.

U6–U126–16 playersScanning
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Set it up

Organize before explaining

Position colored gates or targets around the area and use partners or small groups to provide changing information. Build eight two-yard gates, scatter them in different directions, and leave at least four yards between gates.

Space
20 × 20 yards
Equipment
soccer balls · 16 cones
Run it
  1. Demonstrate how one repetition begins, scores, and clears the gate; then release players from different starting spaces.
  2. Before entering a gate, scan and call a different open gate; the next touch must travel toward the option named.
  3. Run a 45-second discovery round followed by three 60-second rounds with a 20-second coach reset. During play, coach only this action: Check while the ball is traveling or before moving, then return eyes to the ball for contact and act on the useful information.
  4. Progression: Add a defender whose starting side changes so the receiver must scan and choose the safer direction.
  5. Ask, “What information helped you decide before the ball reached you?” Listen to two answers, then replay so players can test an idea.
Coach what matters

Success you can see

  • The head moves before the ball arrives.
  • The player identifies a relevant cue, not just any object.
  • The next touch or movement responds to what was seen.
Use short cues

Scan before the action · Find pressure and space · Let the picture change the choice

Ask between rounds

What information helped you decide before the ball reached you?

Make it easier

Use two large, differently colored options and reveal the cue early.

Add a stretch

Change the cue late or allow a defender to remove one option as the ball travels.

Keep it moving

Engagement and safety

Use personal bests or a shared team total; never rank players by speed or remove a player after a mistake.

Safety check

Keep gates away from boundaries and require players to exit a gate before changing direction sharply. Check the surface and equipment before players enter the area, and offer a non-contact entry level.

If it breaks down

  • If players glance without using information, ask them to point or move toward the option they saw before the pass arrives.
  • If two players repeatedly arrive at the same gate, widen the layout and require a look before entering.