Ladder Youth Movement Games

Objective

• -Develop coordination and agility through games
• -Build fitness without adult conditioning work
• -Keep every player smiling and moving

Setup

1. 1An open square with coloured cones on the corners in a 22 x 22 yards area.
2. 2Lay a line of gates increasing in difficulty away from the start cone.
3. 3A ball each and plenty of spare cones.

How to play

1. 1Play tag, follow-the-leader and shadow games inside the square.
2. 2Every game finishes with a dribbling lap of the square.
3. 3Keep rounds short and change the game often.
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

• -Long runs with no ball
• -Adult conditioning drills for young players
• -Skipping levels and losing quality