⚽ Pre-Season
SSG Ladder
By week 4 of pre-season, players have their fitness back and their basic technique reactivated.
SSG Ladder — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Quality maintained as the workload builds
◆Why this drill works
By week 4 of pre-season, players have their fitness back and their basic technique reactivated. The block is now about match-realistic intensity. The SSG Ladder layers three 4v4 games with progressive constraints — the first builds possession habits, the second adds transition demand, the third introduces full-pressure 1v1 within a team context. Each game runs 6 minutes with 2-minute resets. By the end, players are doing genuine match-pace work without realising it.
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- Mark out a 25×16 yard pitch with mini-goals at each end. Split the squad into two teams of 4 (use bibs). Extra players queue at halfway line — rotation every 6-minute game.
- GAME 1 — Possession-led (6 min). 4v4. To score, a team must complete 5 consecutive passes before shooting. Builds the habit of building attacks rather than going long. No constraint on the defence.
- Reset 2 minutes. Drink, swap players in, refresh ideas. Coach calls out one observation from Game 1 — what worked, what didn't.
- GAME 2 — Transition demand (6 min). 4v4 with one rule: any team winning the ball must score within 8 seconds or possession turns over. Forces fast transitions and direct attacks. Defenders work to delay.
- Reset 2 minutes. Then GAME 3 — 1v1 within team (6 min). 4v4 but each player is paired with a specific opposition player they must mark whenever the ball is in their area. Brings genuine 1v1 demand into a team context.
- End on a 'free game' — last 1 minute, no constraints, just play. Always end on a positive note. Players leave wanting to come back.
✓Equipment checklist
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Quality maintained as the workload builds
- Building intensity progressively, not going flat out too early
Correct when you see
- Neglecting recovery between sessions
- Going too hard too early — pre-season builds progressively
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Agility Ladder | Build the base. | Check price → |
| Value | Marker Cones (50-pack) | Conditioning circuits. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Training Footballs (6-pack) | Technical work. | Check price → |
As an Amazon Associate, SimpleDrills earns from qualifying purchases. Prices shown on Amazon at time of click.
?Frequently asked questions
What age group is SSG Ladder suitable for?
This drill suits youth. Build the intensity progressively and scale the workload to the group.
How many players do I need for SSG Ladder?
This drill works well with around 10 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does SSG Ladder take?
Allow around 3 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to run it — about 18 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.