Four-Corner Reaction Box
A player stands in the middle of a 6 × 6 m box with four coloured corners. The partner calls a colour; the player touches that cone and returns to the centre as fast as possible.
- Age
- U9–U19
- Players
- 2–20
- Duration
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 6 × 6 m
- Type
- Physical
- Approach
- Intermediate
- Format
- Football-adapted game
- Objectives
- Physical: Agility, Speed
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Run without ball
- Cone
Football agility is not just changing direction quickly: it is reacting to what happens. The unpredictable call forces the player to read the signal, choose the direction and move. Work in pairs so half the group works and half calls and rests.
Objective
React to a signal and change direction quickly in all directions.
Organisation
- Boxes of 6 × 6 m with a different colour at each corner and a cone in the centre.
- One pair per box: one works, one calls.
How it works
- The caller shouts a colour; the worker touches that corner with the hand and returns to the centre.
- 15 seconds of work (as many calls as possible), 45 seconds rest, swap.
- 4 sets each.
Coaching points
- Ready position: weight on the front of the feet, knees bent.
- Turn the hips first, then the feet.
- Short steps when arriving at the cone and when leaving it.
Progressions
- Call two colours at once (touch both).
- The caller points instead of shouting (visual signal).
Regressions
- Reduce the box to 4 × 4 m and walk-jog pace for the youngest.
Variations
- Finish with a sprint out of the box through the corner called last.
Key principles
- Read, turn, go.
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