Former strength and conditioning coach for Guinea, Julien Lugier, introduces four drills aimed at enhancing your players' cognitive skills.
Reaction speed is defined as a player's ability to perceive a visual, auditory, or tactile stimulus and respond appropriately. Whether it's an unpredictable pass, the ball bouncing after a shot, or sudden pressure from an opponent… In today’s faster-paced soccer, this type of reactivity is essential for every position: from the goalkeeper needing to block a close-range shot, to the defender intercepting a pass during an offensive transition, and even to the striker reacting to a deflected cross in record time. Excellent reaction speed and decision-making can be decisive in a game. Here are four drills to help you gain precious seconds…
Drill 1: The Color Square
Objective: Reaction to colors
Goal: React to the color, called out by the player outside the box, as quickly as possible and run around the cone without the ball.

Variations:
- React to the color, then play a ground pass to the center of the square.
- React to the color and pass to the cone of the indicated color.
- Receive the ball and dribble to the cone of the indicated color.

Drill 2: Reaction with Mini Goal
Objective: Score as quickly as possible
Goal: Receive the ball and orient yourself quickly to score in the goal of the indicated color.

Variations:
- Limit the number of touches to score in the goal of the indicated color.
- Switch the colors to another goal.
- Change the positions of the goals.
Drill 3: Reaction with Resistance Band
Objective: React as quickly as possible
Goal: Sprint to the announced color while restrained by a resistance band.

Variations:
- Perform the same drill without the resistance band.
- Receive a ball when arriving at the indicated color.
- Sprint to the indicated color while dribbling.

Drill 4: Speed with Reaction
Objective: Be the first to reach the indicated gate
Goal: Upon hearing the color, players must sprint to the indicated gate.

Variations:
- Announce the color verbally.
- Show the color with a pinnie or cone.
- Sprint with the ball.
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