Make good choices - warm-up

WHY USE IT

Replicates a busy pitch, encouraging players to find space, build awareness of the space and players around them and think a step ahead.

SET UP

Mark out a rectangular area, relative to the number of players taking part. Distribute cones or flat markers randomly across the area, creating numerous mini gates.

HOW TO PLAY

All players are in the area, half have balls. Players work together to pass and receive as many balls through as many gates as possible - receiving one ball, playing it on, then moving to another gate and ball. Encourage players to use all of the area and visit as many gates as possible. Players must avoid hitting a cone with a ball, or bumping into a cone.

Progressions: Add dribbling in as an option to pass through the gates; Split players into teams of three or four, depending on your numbers. They must work together to get the ball through as many gates as possible while avoiding cones and other teams; Use two or three touches to encourage faster decision making.

Coaching points

Look up and around before receiving, trying to identify: Where are the cones and people you need to avoid? What direction do you want to take your first touch in? Which gate can you go through next?