Introduction: Change of direction (COD) and agility are two main abilities that differentiate high performer and lower performer in many sports. Especially in youth soccer teams talent identification often consists of COD-tests and tests that suppose to measure agility performance. Still those abilities are trained very unspecific and unprofessional. The present study tries to elicit an improved COD-performance with agility components and test those. Furthermore the study aimed to investigate practicability and utility of the Speedcourt® as a training and testing device. Methods: Two under-15 youth soccer teams participated in this study. One of the teams served as experimental group (GE), while the other took part as control group (GK).There were performed three different tests the "T-Test" (Ø-time: 4,590; 17,28m), the "T-Test Plus" (Ø-time: 5,170; 17,28m) and the "StarRun" (Ø-time: 17,433; 42,57m). The focus of the "T-Test" was to determine COD-ability whereas "T-Test Plus" and "StarRun" had a bigger emphasis on agility-performance. The training program for GE consisted of specific COD-training and training for perception and reaction enhancement. Results: GE performed better in all tests after intervention. Post-hoc tests after ANOVA analysis reported significant improvement for GE in "T-Test" (p< 0,001) and "StarRun" (p= 0,001) performances and corresponding categories like ground contact time (p=0,024) and preparation time (time from start until leaving the start position). GK also slightly improved the performance in "StarRun" and "T-Test Plus" - none of them significant. Discussion: The study met its aim to improve COD- and agility-performances. The Speedcourt® proved practical and useful if subjects are familiarized sufficiently and coaches respectively investigators are experienced with its limitations.
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