Reaction Gates Speed Work

Objectives

• -Accelerate and decelerate on a cue
• -React to a visual signal rather than a whistle
• -Sharpen change of direction with the ball

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at 20 x 15 yards. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2Start cone with three coloured gates 10 yards away.
3. 3Ball placed at the start cone for the second half of the drill.
4. 4Coach standing behind the gates.
5. 5Kit for this practice: Balls, Cones, Poles. Keep a supply of spare balls beside the coach so a lost ball never stops the practice.
6. 6Split 2-20 players into two or three even groups. Run two stations side by side if you have the space, so lines never grow beyond four players.
7. 7Set the area up before the players arrive, then walk them through the shape once at a jog before the first live repetition.

How to run it, step by step

1. 1Get the players into position and walk the first repetition through slowly so everybody knows where they start and where they go.
2. 2Player sprints on the coach's arm signal to the matching gate.
3. 3Second round: dribble the ball to the signalled gate.
4. 4Six reps each round with full recovery.
5. 5After their action each player follows their pass and joins the back of the next line, so everybody rotates through every position in the practice.
6. 6The repetition ends when the ball reaches the final target or leaves the area. The next player starts straight away.
7. 7Freeze the practice once or twice per round, make one coaching point to the whole group, then restart immediately.

What each player does

Working player

Takes the repetition: receives, executes the speed & agility action and finishes the sequence at match pace.

Server

Delivers a consistent, firm ball on the coach's call, then collects a spare ball ready for the next repetition.

Waiting players

Stand behind the start cone with a ball ready, watch the repetition in front of them and step in the moment it finishes.

Coach

Stands where the whole picture is visible, serves or calls the start, and makes one clear point per freeze.

Timings and organisation

• -Run 3 rounds of roughly 3 minutes inside the 10 minute slot.
• -Build the intensity round by round and keep everybody moving — no long explanations while players stand still and get cold.
• -Rotate roles at the end of every round so each player works, serves and defends across the practice.
• -If the practice is too easy, move to a progression rather than adding more repetitions. If players are struggling, drop to a regression for one round and then build back up.

Common mistakes

• -Anticipating the signal and guessing
• -Slowing down before the gate
• -Big, slow steps when changing direction
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position