Game version
Play “Roll Through the Gate” as a “my turn, your turn” game with a grown-up. Everyone takes a turn and every try gets a cheer.
Roll Through the Gate
Roll a ball between two shoes set as a gate. Aiming at a target builds bowling accuracy.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Put 2 shoes a big step apart: that is the gate.
- Ages
- 4 to 6
- Time
- 3 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Soft ball, 2 shoes or cones
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Aim
The steps
How it works
- Put 2 shoes a big step apart: that is the gate.
- Your child stands 3 big steps away.
- They roll the ball through the gate.
- Make the gate a little smaller as they get better.
Coaching point
Praise the try: “Right through! Great aim.”
Safety: A soft ball only, rolled along the ground. Play on grass or a soft, flat, clear space.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Story
Pretend you are a kangaroo playing “Roll Through the Gate” in the forest, and the whole forest claps for you.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free bowling week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.