Directional Rondo to Gates

Adding direction to possession — keep-ball that earns the moment to penetrate.

18x18 grid with a two-yard gate at each corner. 5v3 inside (or 6v3 for younger groups).

1. The team of five keeps possession; after four consecutive passes they may score by passing through any gate to a teammate who runs onto it outside.
2. Defenders win a point by intercepting, or by blocking a gate pass.
3. After a gate goal, play restarts in the middle immediately.
4. Rotate defenders every two minutes.

• Keep-ball with intent — every pass should ask 'is the gate on yet?'
• The gate pass and the run must be simultaneous — receiver arrives as the ball does.
• Use one side to open the other: overload left, score right.
• Count the passes out loud so everyone knows when penetration unlocks.

• The team forces the gate pass at exactly four passes — the count unlocks it, the picture decides it.
• No one makes the outside run so the gate pass rolls dead — penetration is a two-player action.
• Defenders chase the ball and forget the gates — coach them to screen the nearest gate while pressing.

• Six passes to unlock.
• Specific gates worth double if called before the pass.
• Two-touch limit.

• Three passes to unlock.
• Wider gates.
• 6v2 to start.

• Gate goals only count if a teammate receives the ball beyond the gate.