Reaction Gates

Obj: Cue-based direction change with the ball — perception before action. Field: 15×15yd per group of 4; center start cone, 4 colored gates on the sides. Equip: Colored cones, ball each. Org: Players dribble in place/small circles at the center; coach calls (or points — visual cue harder) a color; first clean dribble through the correct gate wins the round. "Traitor rounds": coach points one color while calling another — players must obey the call (or the point, announced pre-round). CP: (1) Scan the coach while dribbling — eyes off the ball; (2) sharp first touch toward the gate, then sprint; (3) decelerate through the gate under control. Prog: Cues become game-like (coach holds up fingers = gate number; partner shouts); add a chaser. Reg: Verbal-only cues, walk pace. Mist: P: guessing early and committing; C: predictable cue rhythm — vary timing. Var: Numbers math version for U11+ ("3+1" = gate 4 — dual-task cognition). Time: 10 min. Out: Perception-action speed rises; touch quality survives the sprint. Diag: Center cluster of players, four colored gates on the sides, cue arrows from coach.