Dead Ball Ladder

Objective

• -Prepare the body for set pieces
• -Link movement patterns to dead-ball roles
• -Raise speed and focus before practice

Setup

1. 1Lay an agility ladder beside a small cone grid.
2. 2Mark three simple set-piece start points with cones.
3. 3Give one ball to each working group and keep bibs nearby.
4. 4Use enough space for players to move safely between stations.

How to play

1. 1Players move through the ladder with quick feet.
2. 2At the end they sprint to a cone and take a set-piece action.
3. 3Actions can be a short pass, throw, header or finish depending on age.
4. 4Players return around the outside and repeat in a flow.
5. 5Change the action every few minutes.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Rushing without control
• -Poor body shape at the cone
• -Letting the warm-up become static