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Cool Downs

Walking Recovery Circuit: Progressive Tempo

Flush the legs after a hard session

Cool Downs
Speed & Agility

Walking Recovery Circuit: Progressive Tempo is a 8-minute cool downs drill for 2-24 players, suitable for Under 5 to Adults at beginner, intermediate level. You need cones. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Cool Downs
Speed & Agility
Cool Down
Beginner
Intermediate
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Warm Up
Physical Preparation
Injury Prevention

Duration

8 min

Players

2-24

Pitch size

20 x 20 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Walking Recovery Circuit: Progressive Tempo1220 x 20 yards

Walking Recovery Circuit: Progressive Tempo — Circle — pass around and through · 20 x 20 yards

Step 1 of 4Walk two laps talking through the session in pairs.

  1. 1. Walk two laps talking through the session in pairs.
  2. 2. Add gentle arm circles and shoulder rolls.
  3. 3. Finish with a short group huddle.
  4. 4. Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
  • Ball
  • Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
  • Circle organisation — players on the outside
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Flush the legs after a hard session
  • -Bring the breathing back to normal
  • -Check in with the players

Setup

  1. 1Square marked with four cones.
  2. 2Players walk in pairs.
  3. 3Water available at one corner.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Walk two laps talking through the session in pairs.
  2. 2Add gentle arm circles and shoulder rolls.
  3. 3Finish with a short group huddle.
  4. 4Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.

Coaching points

  • -Keep moving until the breathing settles
  • -Tall walking posture
  • -Talk about one learning point each
  • -Build intensity gradually to protect muscles
  • -Full range of movement from the first round

Common mistakes

  • -Stopping dead after the final game
  • -Standing in the cold
  • -Skipping hydration

Where this drill fits

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