Ladder Walk and Talk Cool Down

Objective

• -Bring the heart rate down gradually
• -Reflect on the session while moving
• -Finish with the group together

Setup

1. 1A gentle walking loop marked with cones in a 26 x 14 yards area.
2. 2Lay a line of gates increasing in difficulty away from the start cone.
3. 3A few balls for light passing on the loop.

How to play

1. 1Players walk the loop in small groups at conversation pace.
2. 2Each group answers one reflection question from the coach.
3. 3Finish in a circle with light stretching.
4. 4Players work through the gates in order, starting with the easiest.
5. 5Players climb the ladder one level for every clean rep and drop a level on a mistake.

Progressions

• +Add a timed element at the top level
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Widen the gates at every level
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Pairs climb the ladder together
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Racing the loop
• -Skipping the cool down entirely
• -Skipping levels and losing quality