Gate Keeper Giants

🖼️ Visual Guide

🎯 Objectives

• •Close down quickly, then slow down to defend in a balanced stance.
• •Stay between the attacker and the dangerous space or goal.
• •Be patient and wait for the attacker to make a bigger touch before tackling.

🎒 Equipment Needed

1 ball per channel, cones for lanes or gates, bibs for attackers and defenders, and 1-2 mini goals or scoring gates. Use two cone colors so you can change directions or targets with simple visual cues.

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📐 Setup

Create one or two 1v1 channels with a starting cone for the defender and a ball line for the attacker. Use a short distance so the action starts quickly and players get frequent turns. Keep the activity playful, use short cue words, and restart quickly so the youngest players stay engaged.

📋 How to Run It

1. 1Set up a 10x12 yard channel with a clear scoring gate for the attacker and a good recovery path for the defender.
2. 2Tell defenders they are protecting the space by slowing runners before they reach the castle.
3. 3Attackers enter with the ball and defenders close down, slow the dribble, and wait for a heavy touch before tackling.
4. 4If the defender wins the ball, they dribble out or pass through a counter gate to finish the rep.
5. 5Count both successful delays and clean wins so defending is rewarded in multiple ways.

💡 Coaching Tips

• •Coach the defender's speed on the approach: fast to close, slow to defend.
• •Keep the defender low with side-on body shape instead of square and flat-footed.
• •Praise defenders who stay in front, even if they do not win the ball right away.
• •Short channels produce more successful repetitions than very long races.

🔄 Variations

• •Easier: shorten the attacker start or make the channel narrower.
• •Harder: widen the channel, give the attacker a head start, or add a counter gate after the win.
• •Story twist: every strong stop saves the castle, bridge, or city gate.