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Reactive Gate Chase

Your partner moves toward one of several gates and you shadow them to arrive at the same gate. A partner game, not a contest.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Set 4 gates (two cones each) across a 10-yard line.

Core: Three. Beat your own best of shared arrivals.

Ages
13 and up
Time
12 min
Players
You and a partner
Space
Yard or field
Bring
8 cones, partner
Level · skill
Advanced · Driving

The steps

How it works

  1. Set 4 gates (two cones each) across a 10-yard line.
  2. Your partner jogs and fakes, then runs through one gate.
  3. You mirror from 3 yards away and try to arrive together.
  4. Do 6 reps each, swapping roles.

Coaching point

Watch the hips, not the head.

Safety: Use a clear, non-slip space and change direction only as fast as you can control. Stop if a knee or ankle hurts.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Gate shadow: your partner moves toward a gate and you shadow them to the same gate. Swap leaders. It is a partner game, never a contest.

Challenge

Choose a level: Less (two gates), Core (three), More (four). Beat your own best of shared arrivals.

Story

You are a shadow following its owner through the castle gates.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own best of shared arrivals. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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