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Ladder Footwork Patterns

Quick foot patterns through a ladder on the ground: two in, in-out, side steps.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

AA · YOU
AA · YOU
SetupLay a ladder or draw one with chalk.

Core: Medium. Beat your own clean runs.

Ages
10 to 14
Time
10 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Agility ladder or chalk ladder
Level · skill
Developing · Catching

The steps

How it works

  1. Lay a ladder or draw one with chalk.
  2. Step with two feet in each square.
  3. Then try in-in-out-out sideways.
  4. Do 3 trips of each pattern; get it right before getting fast.

Coaching point

Right first, then fast.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Pattern pals: make up a footwork pattern and teach it to your partner. Swap.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (slow), Core (medium), More (a new pattern). Beat your own clean runs.

Story

You are a dancer on a stepping-stone path.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own clean runs. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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