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Agility / 6 MINUTES

Follow through the gates

Read a partner’s path while turning and stopping under control.

ON THE FLOOR

Partner / station setup
Follow through the gates — drill diagramThe leader chooses a path through wide, staggered gates. The follower stays well behind and uses the same path; both stop before resetting outside the lane.Follow · do not chase12
The leader chooses a path through wide, staggered gates. The follower stays well behind and uses the same path; both stop before resetting outside the lane.
1PlayerXDefenderBallMovePass / shotDribble

Motion is off with your reduced-motion preference. The setup and action paths show the rep.

MAKE IT FIT YOUR GROUP

Coach the players in front of you.

Ages 6–8

Walk the route first, with a coach as leader if necessary.

Ages 9–11

Let the leader choose between two clearly open gates; pace increases only when the follower maintains the gap.

Work & rest
One trip each as leader, then pause and move a gate if more turning room is needed.
Look for success
Both players keep a clear gap and look into each turn before moving through it.
Players

2 per lane: leader and follower

Equipment

Six flat markers

Space

A broad lane containing three staggered gates

Set it up

Set three wide gates in a staggered lane. A leader starts ahead with a generous gap to the follower. There is no ball, tagging or race to catch the leader.

Run the activity

  1. The leader chooses a gate and walks through it. The follower reads the path and goes through the same opening while preserving the gap.
  2. The leader turns toward a second gate only after clearing the first; both players look into the next space before moving.
  3. At the third gate, both slow to a stop. Wait until the lane is clear before walking back outside it.
  4. Swap leaders each trip. Count trips with a steady gap and balanced turns, rather than who finishes first.
ONE CUE TO SAY OUT LOUD

“Follow the path. Keep the gap.”

Watch for this

Turning the activity into a chase and running into the partner at the last gate.

Make it easier

Use two gates in a straight line and walking pace.

Add a challenge

Allow a gentle jog between gates while preserving the same stopping and spacing rules.

Coaching references

Original HoopSketch activity and drawing. These references informed the coaching principles; the age fit, constraints and pacing are our editorial guidance. Adjust to readiness and your league’s rules.

Age and development framework

References checked October 22, 2026. Basketball-coach review pending.