Recovery Grid

Objective

• -End the session with a light team game
• -Keep effort low but players involved
• -Encourage recovery through simple rules

Setup

1. 1Split a 30 x 20 yards area into four small boxes.
2. 2Place one ball in each box or just one ball for the whole group.
3. 3Players wear bibs and start in two teams on opposite sides.

How to play

1. 1The coach calls a box and players walk to that space.
2. 2Inside the box, teams make three gentle passes before moving on.
3. 3After each pass set, players must walk to the next box.
4. 4Keep the game flowing at walking pace with no pressure.
5. 5Finish with both teams together in the centre for a calm walk.

Progressions

• +Progressive Tempo: add a fourth maximal round
• +Ball For Every Player: shrink the working area
• +Reaction Start: two cues, one a decoy
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Progressive Tempo: stay at the first two tempos only
• -Ball For Every Player: bigger area, share a ball between two
• -Reaction Start: coach counts players in
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Progressive Tempo — Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
• -Ball For Every Player — Every player works with their own ball so no one waits in a queue.
• -Reaction Start — Every repetition begins from a visual or audio cue rather than a set count.
• -Partner Race — Players work in matched pairs and race each repetition, best of five.
• -Mobility Focus — Each round finishes with a controlled mobility hold for the hips, groin and ankles.
• -Change Of Direction — Add a 90 or 180 degree turn into every repetition before the finish.
• -Team Target — The whole group works to a shared score target and repeats the round if they miss it.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Turning it into competition
• -Standing still too long
• -Forcing passes