Mirror Move

Objective

• -Improve reaction speed
• -Develop side-on movement
• -Build body control and balance

Setup

1. 1Mark a 15 x 15 yard box.
2. 2Pair players off, with one in each pair wearing a bib.
3. 3Partners work inside the box facing each other.
4. 4No balls are used.

How to play

1. 1One player is the leader and the other mirrors every movement.
2. 2The leader shuffles, backpedals, stops and turns at random.
3. 3After 20 to 30 seconds, swap the leader over.
4. 4Keep all movement inside the area.
5. 5Make the actions faster as players improve.

Progressions

• +Progressive Tempo: add a fourth maximal round
• +Ball For Every Player: shrink the working area
• +Reaction Start: two cues, one a decoy
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Progressive Tempo: stay at the first two tempos only
• -Ball For Every Player: bigger area, share a ball between two
• -Reaction Start: coach counts players in
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Progressive Tempo — Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
• -Ball For Every Player — Every player works with their own ball so no one waits in a queue.
• -Reaction Start — Every repetition begins from a visual or audio cue rather than a set count.
• -Partner Race — Players work in matched pairs and race each repetition, best of five.
• -Mobility Focus — Each round finishes with a controlled mobility hold for the hips, groin and ankles.
• -Change Of Direction — Add a 90 or 180 degree turn into every repetition before the finish.
• -Team Target — The whole group works to a shared score target and repeats the round if they miss it.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Crossing feet when shuffling
• -Watching the ground too much
• -Moving too close to the leader